Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Tara Lynn Weeks. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Tara Lynn, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. How did you learn to do what you do? Knowing what you know now, what could you have done to speed up your learning process? What skills do you think were most essential? What obstacles stood in the way of learning more?
I have a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Northern Michigan University with a concentration in Drawing and Painting. I was obsessed and painted every chance I got for a decade or two, until one day I sat down to create a commission and felt completely burned out. No part of me wanted to start or complete this piece. I felt lost, but over time realized that it’s okay to take a break from creativity once in a while. And not feel guilty about it. People need time for their rebirth. I didn’t paint much after that, but I was always intrigued by pyrography, which translates to “drawing with fire.” The first few attempts were abysmal and I didn’t attempt much after that. I still needed time to marinate in my rebirth, to rise like the phoenix from the ashes of my life. Going through a divorce, having to move, and facing financial hurdles got in the way of creativity for a bit. A couple of years later, I picked up my little craft woodburner and tried it again. I don’t know what happened, my rebirth was finished and it was time to move on I suppose. Learning involved a combination of self-directed study, online tutorials, and hands-on experimentation. I started by researching the basics of pyrography—understanding different types of wood, temperature control, and various techniques. After realizing how much joy and how meditative woodburning can be, I bought a Burnmaster Hawk and retired my little craft store tool. Out came magic. I realized that if you can draw, you can woodburn. It’s the same thing except the pen is hot. Months of bottled-up inspiration came pouring out. My journey in pyrography and painting has been a fulfilling and evolving experience ever since. Layers of burned wood and paint intertwine with luminous hues to create a dreamscape of the intangible. I make one piece, learn from it, and make another, learn from it, and make another. My brain blazed with new synopsis, wanting, yearning, learning. I was once again inspired and obsessed with making art. At first, I opened an Etsy shop. I made tons of personalized gifts for clients, mainly memorabilia boxes. I did that for a few years but realized that with working a full-time job to pay the bills, having an Etsy shop for my side hustle, and juggling a social life left me little time to pursue my own creative endeavors. So I put my shop in vacation mode and concentrated on making art that was just for me. During the pandemic, the restaurant where I worked shut down for weeks at a time. I finally had time to explore the craft and make art just for me. I am not one of those extremely talented, photo-realistic pyrographers, nor do I want to be. I want to make art that dances on the boundaries of reality and surreality. I started adding poetry to the pieces, inviting further contemplation into our experiences here on earth. I describe my work as whimsical, ethereal, beautiful – a celebration of universal truths.
It can be disheartening to compare yourself to people who are better than you. I will always remember what one of my teachers said at University, “There will always be someone who is better than you. There will always be someone that you are better than. But just know that there is a place in the world for you, too!” I felt at home with what I was creating and was validated by other professional artists on the scene who told me “Once you incorporated woodburning into your art, you finally ‘got it.’ ”
The most essential skills in this journey included patience, attention to detail, and a willingness to embrace mistakes as learning opportunities. Both pyrography and painting demand precision and a keen eye for detail, while patience is crucial during the slow and deliberate process of burning or painting. Adding color to the burn was a trial-and-error process. Sometimes I ruined the whole piece, other times it sang to me.
Several obstacles stood in the way of my learning progress. Constraints such as lack of consistent practice were challenges, as mastering these art forms requires a lot of time and regular engagement. Financial constraints, like investing in quality materials while paying rising rent and bills, also posed obstacles. Overcoming self-doubt by comparing myself to others, and rejection from galleries and art groups were additional mental hurdles that would impede creative exploration and experimentation. I also play the piano, cello, write songs, and sing. Sometimes I lack focus because I don’t feel whole unless I express every aspect of myself and my creativity. I almost feel guilty if I play music, as if I should be concentrating on my art at all times in order to succeed. As I age, I learn to just do what I feel like doing. Life is too short. I find authenticity in doing what I want and expressing my creativity in any way that feels right at the time.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
I recently organized an art show that proved to be a transformative experience for me. In April of 2023, I decided to throw an art show to show off all of my new pieces and invited other artists whose work also resonates with the ethereal, surreal, and subjective qualities of mindfulness. I sent out personal invites on social media and posted an art call: Ethereal Art Show and Pop-up Gallery – Artists that resonate with the divine energy, celestial, ethereal, Gaia, the awakening, meditation and spirituality, starseeds, yogis, transformation and ascension, mother nature– apply now! Vendors selling crystal necklaces, wood sculptures, and handmade candles adorned the middle of the floor as our art pieces hung on the walls creating a perfect accent to their celestial wares. A lot of work went into making sure it was a huge success, and it was! Many of the artists told me they would never have shown their work if it weren’t for me. It made me feel so good to help them express their creativity and give them purpose and joy.
I came to appreciate the profound impact it has on our art society to be able to be inspired and driven by self-expression. Motivated by this realization, I am now inspired to create a space for artists to flourish. My vision is to establish artist retreats where individuals can immerse themselves in a supportive artistic environment, fostering creativity and providing a platform for self-expression. to serve as a sanctuary. Artist Inspire Retreat (AIR) will be for anybody seeking inspiration, collaboration, and the freedom to explore their artistic potential. Right now, I’m in the middle of making my business plan. After that, I will seek out investors to help make this dream a reality so I can further contribute to the enrichment of the artistic community.
What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?
1) Invest in Arts Education! I am saddened to see the art program being cut from schools around the country, including the high school I graduated from. The art room that once held painters, photographers, sketchers, pastels and watercolorists, is now an empty shell of the thriving art community it once was. Our art teacher in high school, Miss Critch, was awesome! Her class was very individualized. We didn’t all partake in the same assignment. Being the small town that it was, she had freshmen and seniors in the same class, so there’s no way we all could. We studied and created whatever we were inspired to explore. As long as we really engaged in our project, we were allowed to do whatever we wanted. I really learned to draw well from her. She let me copy photos out of magazines until I drew a hyperrealistic version of the supermodel or shoe or rockstar, whatever tickled my fancy. That is how we learn. She also let me experiment with pastels like Edgar Degas. And she let me dive into the painterly Expressionism of the early 20th century. I don’t think there are too many classes like that anymore. I was an art teacher for a little while until I realized the public school system wasn’t for me. Then I substitute taught at schools all over Phoenix and didn’t witness this level of individualized learning. If it wasn’t for her class, I wouldn’t have been able to explore different techniques and voices at such a young and developmental age.
2) Of course, it’s important for cities to establish grants, fellowships, and funding opportunities for artists at various stages of their careers. But it’s extra important for regular people to create and maintain affordable studio spaces, galleries, and exhibition venues for artists to showcase their work. If you can’t find someone to represent you, represent yourself. Invite other artists. You may need to be creative to get venue space, but it can be done. Their appreciation will warm your heart and foster inspiration within yourself as well.
3) Support community initiatives that transform underutilized spaces into creative hubs. My friends rented out an old grocery store for a year last year. They threw concerts, art shows, had an elixir bar with healthy teas and herbs, held classes, and rented the space out for other creatives to teach classes, show work, host yoga retreats, or whatever they wanted to use the space for. The landlord didn’t let them renew their lease and unfortunately, that awesome space that was just getting their footing will no longer be. But other spaces can help facilitate creative events: empty rooms in strip malls, church basements, yoga studios, and hair salons that aren’t booked during certain hours. I rented out a small event venue for my show, and every artist involved pitched in for wall and floor space, food, and wine.
4) Establish platforms for artists to network, collaborate, and share ideas, like art retreats, art clubs, and local meetups. A few years ago I helped host a weekly ‘drink and draw.’ When I move, I would like to get back into that, and also throw figure drawing classes. I know I and many other artists I talk to miss figure drawing or life drawing. An art community doesn’t have to just be for art college.
5) Foster a culture of appreciation for the arts: embrace and celebrate the role art plays in society by supporting local music, going to art shows, and even throwing them yourself. Sticker drops, drink-and-draws, figure drawing classes, and pop-up galleries not only inspire and support individual artists but also cultivate a dynamic and flourishing creative ecosystem for the benefit of the entire community. Engaging with a community of fellow artists and collaborating on projects can be enriching. Sharing ideas, receiving feedback, and participating in the collective energy of a creative community contributes to a sense of fulfillment and belonging.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
Creating art is an emotional catharsis. Each piece reminds me of a time in my life, an impactful event, or even just one of whimsy. I want to create work without creative restraints, art that is an expression of my voice instead of somebody else’s. Art produces a connection between people on a profound level. What resonates with one may not resonate with another, and that’s okay. We are all here to express our inner voice, and through that, a community is formed through this shared experience.
The creative process involves constant exploration and learning. I find joy in the journey of discovery, experimenting with new techniques, and continually evolving. Completing a piece of art provides a tangible sense of accomplishment. The act of bringing an idea to life and seeing the finished product is what I live for. Right now I’m going through another breakup. I packed up everything and put it in storage. I moved across the country. I left my job and my friends behind. Currently, I’m in the purgatory of my life. The only thing that gets me through is exploring my creativity. Since it’s not possible to have my woodburner with me for the winter I’m exploring markers and watercolors and finding joy in experimentation with a new medium.
To me, creating is a necessity. It’s like breathing and if I don’t get to do it, I become cranky. Inspiration gnaws at me in the back of my brain all day. I know I should be dealing with life’s banalities—health insurance and getting a windshield and paying the bills, cleaning the house. But you have to grasp inspiration when it comes knocking, or it will knock on somebody else’s door. I am inspired by so many things: people, beauty, nature, dreams, music, poetry, life. . . And so I give in. I keep creating music and art and thanking God every day for it. I want to create work that is beautiful, meaningful, personal, and symbolic: to provide inspiration, a sense of magic, and hope.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://www.lovely11art.com/
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/lovely11art