Meet Tammy J. Mclain | Artist & Creativity Guide

We had the good fortune of connecting with Tammy J. Mclain and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Tammy J., what’s the end goal, career-wise?
Wow ok picture this. Waking up without an alarm clock. Grabbing a cup of fresh coffee (not because I need it but because I want to enjoy it). and sitting down in a cozy sun-room. I will be surrounded by art supplies, and may still have some paint in my hair and some clay under my finger nails. After I finish my coffee, my friends and family may drop by to have an art play date. There is no rushing or hurry in this space. Just music, friendships, creativity, and fun.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
One of my biggest challenges has been finding my voice. As an artist you are often told that you need to pick your medium. My issue is when I try to pick something, my inner child says yes to them all. I sat and thought about it, when have I ever truly just conformed to what the world wants…. and why should I do that now? So I have chosen not to choose a medium. I am a recycle artist, a sculptor, a painter, a macro photographer (man do I love getting those super close up shots), and a creative guide.

I have a huge pull to recycle art. Using found materials, creating new mediums and experimenting with shapes & colors. My current favorite medium is homemade paper sculptures. I shred my junk mail, make it into a paper smoothie, then pull paper sheets from it. I sculpt and form the paper into trees, flowers, faces, animals and abstracts. Each paper seems to call to what it will be. I then use liquid water colors to paint and add additional features and depth.

My path has led me to teaching art workshops with my sister who brings her sipping chocolates for us all to enjoy. Once I started teaching (never wanted to be a teacher, I think of myself more of a guide) – I bumped into imposter syndrome. I would think who am I to teach this, I don’t have a college degree, I didn’t train with the best. But what I do have, is the joy of people. I absolutely love watching people find their creative spark. The gleam in their eyes when they see that yes they are creative freaking rocks. One thing that I do different in my workshops, is each participant gets to take an art kit home so they can continue to create.

What do I want you to know? I want you to know that you also have an inner child who is creative. You just have to let them out to play. Get a little dirty, dig up mud, pick some leaves, draw a picture using your feet, take photos of silly things. The world is a better place when you let your inner child create. If you need a boost, then just join me at one of my workshops, and we can play with art together all while drinking the best freaking sipping chocolate in Colorado.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
There is so much to do here. I would start with dropping by The Painted Tree to show off my bookshelf there. Then go on a drive through the mountains. Probably end up in Estes Park then wind our way back down to Boulder and grab a bite to eat at The Flower Child (Love their cookies). We would definitely go to one of my Art & Sipping Chocolate workshops with Wings A Flutter & Becky Lynn’s Bakery (did I mention she has the best sipping chocolates, cakes and candies in Colorado?), then grab some dinner at Tamale Kitchen in Northglenn. We would spend at least day in my art studio playing with art and then have a nice dinner at one of the many hot pot restaurants. The rest of the time we would pretty much spend hanging out together catching up on old times.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My Mom and Dad were always pushing me to create with found materials (digging up mud from the back yard, using wood scraps, making my own paste/glue, and so much more). We didn’t have much money, so thinking outside of the box was the only way to create if I wanted to use something other than crayons or water colors from school. My sisters are always there to oooo and ahhhh over my art and even give me their thoughts on how ugly or pretty a piece is. 🙂 Their love and advice is priceless.

Huge shout out to my grade school teachers who accepted my mud sculptures and acted like they were amazing works of art. My biggest boost came from my high school art teacher Claire Cornell. He taught me that my art was important and needed. He always supported my experimentation with clay and pushed me to work outside of my comfort zone. I have to add in my husband Matt, He keeps buying me the best art supplies and equipment. “The way to an artist’s heart is a new kiln”. 🙂

I do have one book, one absolutely amazing book, that helped me grow as an artist. The title is The Artists Way by Julia Cameron. The book was loaned to me by a friend from my old neighborhood. Sorry Nichole!, I still have the book. 😉 This book helped me find my inner creative and heal from artist traumas I didn’t even know I had. It helped me find the courage to step out and let my inner creative child free. I truly believe that if I had not read this book, I would not have had the courage to sell my art.

Website: https://www.tammyjmclain.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/recycle2art_tammy/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tammyjmclain/

Twitter: @recycle2art

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tammyjmclain/

Image Credits
Tammy J McLain, Xavier Matthews, Becky Garry