We recently connected with Tara Dunbar and have shared our conversation below.

Tara, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Can you tell us about a time that your work has been misunderstood? Why do you think it happened and did any interesting insights emerge from the experience?

In the Art world I feel a sense of freedom. There are also times in this Strange Art Land I feel gravely misunderstood. People judge me from my appearance or my art often. I feel no one can help how they look because our vessel was already chosen. What matters most is a good heart. I am a surreal painter and designer. My odd concepts often stir deep emotion within people. I create unique landscapes, weird faces, ocean vessels, nature scenes, space dreams, mind visions, eyeball designs, hybrid imaginary creatures, mythical beings, and more. The perception a viewer has, the raw emotion they feel looking at my art is their own inner emotion reflecting back to their response. Sometimes connecting in a surreal way can take you out of your mind. A real mind escape. It can pull you in and hold you a moment. My spooky Alien art has made children giggle and adults gasp in disbelief. One child stated it was spooky! His little sister however was smiles! Are we trained to fear? Art makes me think. My art means something unique and different to each person with feedback. I am completely universal in Art culture and mainly focus on my own color theory, unique concepts, contrasts, and creativity within the eye design. My art is a reflection of a place so peaceful and immersive I miss it when I am gone. Each character I have created has become a friend, each scene is part of my Art Heart. I enjoy viewer responses and sometimes my art is not for everyone. I love that feedback too. I am universal and this is acceptable in the universe. I often wear costumes matching my Artworks, Themed fun character mode I say. We are all misunderstood so lets start understanding. Art brings people together and God pulls us all through.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

My name is Tara. Original painter & concept designer. Strange art surrealism coming from the Heartland of America. My character is strange and the art I create stirs strange emotion. I am so happy to be here with CanvasRebel Magazine. Its a sense of freedom to be included. I experiment constantly so I do feel like a CanvasRebel. Pushing art to the limit in reality but the results are always magical. My Art culture view is Universal. Each character I create becomes a friend and each scene becomes a part of my art heart. Each person perceives art differently and that’s why its so cool. A persons perception is their personal taste. My art is not for everyone, and I enjoy that feedback too. The children love the spooky spider painting but the parent say pass. Laughing is a guarantee. My art is really strange and I mainly focus on my own color theory based off of my studies on depression and anxiety. I imagine unique concepts and bring them to life. Contrasting darks and lights throughout my work is a favorite technique I use. My art becomes a place during its creation that is a reflection of a place so peaceful and immersive I miss it when I am away. I love to paint. It is my passion. Free style the mind into design. I love to draw and work all mediums but prefer acrylic. If you connect with a piece of my art then I am pleased. I want to hear from you. Stay in touch. My art family is a family and I adore it. I create videos using my art with music for Visual Art Entertainment. When I show my art live I do theme sets using music and lighting decor. Uniting the art atmosphere with a touch of tech and sound for special effects is actually quite satisfying. Bose speakers are my favorite. Music with the visual art combo is stimulating and people seem to like it. Ocean sounds, Beach music and Scandinavian tunes are a hit. I love pretending Im a sea Captain and I will say “Ahoy” to onlookers for fun. Sometimes I wear a cape and appear mysterious. I am often misunderstood because of the way I appear. Im a skinny pale lady with Wild curly hair and tattoos. Wearing fun costumes gives me extra courage for some reason. Becoming a part of the Visual Art festivities in full costume is euphoric and it helps me blend with my Artwork. It fades my shyness into a distance. I find perception a strange thing. Some smile at scary art, Others turn away. Sometimes I wonder when the children laugh at my Halloween art if fear has not been taught to adults. People are interesting to watch. I often get inspired by the simplicity of humanity. Large crowds are difficult for me at times. I am easily overstimulated and prefer the woods. We are all works in progress. Social anxiety is real and many introverted people suffer in silence. Encouraging others feeds the soul. Art saves people. Creating gives purpose and allows reflection. Art is a real mind escape. It can pull you in and hold you a moment. A place to rest and gaze your eyes. Spaces that take you places. I create stuff like unique landscapes, seascapes, weird faces, ocean vessels, nature scenes, space dreams, mind visions, self portraits, mythical creatures, and strange hybrid eyeball designs.
I grew up being exposed to Art supplies as a young child and since had the will to create. I have enjoyed sharing my art with people. I follow where my art leads because It is an important part of my life. It has saved me and I trust it.
I have overcome many traumatic experiences using Art as a Safe Passage.
Music, dancing, and painting are a therapeutic routine. I am 14 years sober from alcohol.
I am an extreme introvert and basically shy. Helping people helps me overcome my own fear. The art itself is how I got here. It seems to guide me and I do my best to keep up. My passion for creating art is strong, but showing art is not as simple. Thank goodness for Google Maps to get me there.
When I sell a painting I feel accomplished because someone has made a connection. Many have gotten emotional, cried, told stories, or even hugged me. One lady bought a mermaid canvas set because her friend had passed on and it reminded her of their friendship. It is touching this type of therapy. It fuels me.
My little art business makes me happy because it allows me to contribute to the community although I myself have social anxiety issues. I work through my difficulties using art as a tool.
Three years of sharing in the public eye is where I am today in 2023. I took my art to Long Island, New York this spring and painted live shoreside. I sank my hands into the sand and salt water and prayed for our country. I plan to explore more locations to show how art therapy really can heal. Las Vegas desert is in the cards for fall and I’ll be taking Art supplies.
Commission paintings are a favorite because I problem solve another’s vision into reality. Each person’s perception is completely different. So far I have happy customers in that department. Finding humor is a must in my atmosphere along with choosing happy. This year I published Table Art books via Google photos to have available for art collectors. Many love the Angel and Ocean Vessels – table art Hard backs and soft backs available on email request [email protected]
Communication is key. Understanding is Devine. I have merchandise available for my customers 24/7. Intriguing designs. Top quality cotton T-shirts, bags, towels, decor, canvas prints and originals. Https://TarasStrangeArt.com contact info with Secure Shopping/ Podcasts, Photos, Events, Email for special Art related requests.
My Instagram account is a place where I express my inner art emotion and show my art in a super amazing and fun way. Grab my social media handles from official website and follow it at the bottom to get free periodic updates.
IG, FB, TwitterX, LinkedIn, LinkMeGlobal, Fine Art America

Are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

In the beginning I had no way to accept currency besides cash. As I learned the business I gathered tips from people in the business on how to set up payments so that I never lost a sale again. I definitely was pleased to learn about ways to accept payments. I wish I would have known how important Venmo, Pay Pal, and Cash App are. Eventually I got myself a Card Reader which Im completely satisfied with. It’s quite amazing the technology. I often feel I am from a time so long ago. A place that almost seems we all have been there before….. and the Imagination goes wild. That little bit of imagination is what sparks my creations.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

I am most fulfilled when I release a new piece of art and I get responses from my viewers like thanks for sharing with me, or they tell me how my work resonated with them. At times someone asks me the meaning but I prefer to let the viewer decide. Often in person I will come clean with the actual story behind the work. It’s intriguing to stand behind onlookers and watch them observe my art while they are unaware I am there, the painter. Many times people wonder who the artist is until I introduce myself. I like to imagine myself a ghostly angel while my artwork lives on to fill more hearts with joy. Time is infinite. Art is pure.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://TarasStrangeArt.com
• Instagram: https://www.Instagram.com/strangeartkc101
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tara.dunbar.311 https://www.yelp.com/biz/tara-s-strange-art-kansas-city-z
• Linkedin: https://LinkedIn.com/in/Tara-Dunbar
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/StrangeArtKC1
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz-tara-s-strange-art-kansas-city-z
• Other: https://www.inkme.global/TarasStrangeArt101