Tamara Jean Callens
Member of: Oil Painter’s of America, Portrait Artist of America, American Impressionist Society, National Museum of Wildlife Art, Steamboat Art Museum, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Art Association of Jackson Hole.
Tamara was raised in the lush redwood landscape of the north coast of California where she and her husband raised their three children. They currently reside in the Jackson Hole area of Wyoming, where they enjoy the vast Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks.
Early on, Callens was naturally drawn to art. As the youngest child in a family of five siblings that included two sets of twins, Tamara grew up in a creative and talented environment that encouraged drawing and painting. Her mother, who was an art teacher, was the major factor in planting these seeds when she urged Tammy and her twin brother to sketch their own images over and over while sitting in front of a mirror.
Her interest as a professional artist began through enjoying great artists such as Zorn, Sorolla, and Sargent. Studying their works as well as observing today’s masters has inspired Tamara to paint full-time and constantly to improve her skills.
Proficient in landscape, figure and portrait subjects, Tamara utilizes traditional painting techniques in a decidedly contemporary fashion. While her subject matter remains timeless, she favors dramatic and yet intimate compositions that feature shimmering color harmonies and painterly brushwork.
In all, Tamara’s luminous oils reflect clarity of vision, passion, and a spiritual focus reminiscent of earlier American impressionists such as Edgar Payne, Guy Rose and William Wendt, and many others.
2010.....Fine Art Connoisseur Mag. "Three Artists to Watch"
2009.... Legacy Gallery, Holiday Miniatures Show
2009.....Oil Painters of America Western Regional Show, Kirkland WA.
2009......Oil Painters of America National Show Santa Fe NM.
2008......National Wildlife Museum "Quick Draw" Jackson Hole WY.
2008......"Opening" The Painted Pony Gallery Big Sky MT.
2006......Foxhall Gallery 3 person show Washington DC.
2006......Treasure State Art Auction, Juried Bozeman MT.
2006......Plein Air Judges Choice Jackson Hole WY.
2005..... Artist Magazine 2nd Place Portrait Category
2005......Oil Painters of America Award Winner National Exhibit Chicago Ill.
2004......Foxhall Gallery "Recent Works Show" Washington DC.
2002......National Arts for the Parks Top 100 Best Paintings Jackson Hole
2003......Artists Magazine Finalist, Animals
2002......Artists Magazine Annual Calender
2001......Artists Magizine Finalist, Landscape
2001......Artist Magazine Finalist, Portrait
1999......Artist Magazine Finalist,Portrait
1999......Artists Magazine Finalist, Landscape
1998......National Arts for the Parks Top 200 Best Paintings Jackson Hole
1997......National Arts for the Parks Top 200 Best Paintings Jackson Hole