So as 'My friend can paint' reaches its' 4th Birthday next month, I've decided to celebrate by launching something new. Throughout this year my blog will be featuring interviews with different Artists. With the aim of sharing their amazing work, a little about their practice, their artistic journey and their wonderful selves.
To start off (a little closer to home…and because it's my Birthday) I wanted to recap on the history of 'My friend can paint' to fill in all of my new likers, clients, as well as my ever supportive family and friends on the wonderful events and opportunities that have come to me since I started this life changing page 4 years ago.
I often get asked where 'My friend can paint' came from and what exactly I intended it to mean. Back in 2010 when I rediscovered my paints and brushes (in a box under our house), my sister in law suggested I start a Facebook page devoted to my paintings for my family and friends to share and promote. Erin (my sister in law) sent me a link to a local jewellery designer that had done just that, and so after taking a little look through the page I decided to give it a go.
As always my approach towards most things in life is very much based on an 'all or nothing' attitude. If I was going to put myself out there, I was going to do it thoroughly and efficiently. So I pulled out all of my old photo albums and school portfolios and scanned old photographs of artworks from years gone by and then started cataloguing albums to load and showcase on Facebook. I wanted people to see the journey my work had taken, my evolving style and let's be honest I wanted to show off my skills.
The process of putting this page together, with the ultimate intention of sharing it…with the world, was both exciting and motivational. Once I hit the 'publish' button and shared the link on my Facebook profile I didn't know exactly what to expect but at best I was hopeful it would get me a few artwork sales and maybe even a commission.
What I didn't expect was the huge gain in confidence I was to receive. Friends, family, colleagues, acquaintances and friends of friends were liking my page, sharing it and leaving incredibly kind feedback about my artwork. It gave me this huge surge of pride and so my desire to keep on painting was further fuelled.
So I started looking…really looking. I kept my eyes open and my ears to the ground and even better than that, my ever supportive likers did too!

I've already got some incredibly talented Artists ready to roll out in the coming months, but if you would like to suggest a wonderful Artist you may know, please don't hesitate to email me their info. I will certainly do my best to include as many shout outs for genuinely deserving people as I can.
Tamara x