Turning the Herd: A New Chapter in My Art Journey
Every cowgirl knows the moment when the herd isn’t heading in the right direction. You can let it drift, or you can dig in your heels, whistle sharp, and turn the herd.
That’s where I found myself recently — in my own version of a dead-end dirt road.
I decided to dissolve my partnership with Art Store Fronts (ASF). I realized I wasn’t heading toward the destination I truly wanted. The path wasn’t mine and whatever marketing I did wasn’t enough. I burnt myself out posting and creating content. I was so focused on creating content for ASF, that I lost sight of my vision, my true voice, and the true stories behind the artwork. Only when I stopped did I see the light. (I will touch on this more below.)
Since this blog is geared toward Artists…I do not advise getting into bed with ASF.
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I had to have a come-to-Jesus meeting with myself — no excuses, no distractions, just clarity. What am I here to say with my art? Who am I painting for? And why? I’ll write more about this as I roll out my new paintings.
The answers didn’t come in a lightning strike, but in a slow, steady sunrise — the same kind I’ve watched rise over the Sandhills of Nebraska more times than I can count.
That’s when it clicked.
I’ve defined my niche and committed to a painting style that feels like home: Open Impressionism. Loose, expressive, full of light, color, and emotion. It lets the landscape breathe — it’s an emotional reset written in the vast sky.
My new body of work is centered around a single, elemental theme:
☀️ The Sun.
Not just as a source of light, but as a symbol — of resilience, clarity, warmth, and direction. The sun captures the quiet meditative calmness of the Sandhills just like it shapes our lives. It’s both constant and ever-changing. I want my brush to capture the fleeting moments of sunrise and sunset.
This is more than a shift in style. It’s a new trail. A more honest one. One that honors where I come from and where I’m going.
So, I’ve turned the herd. The dust is stirring, the sun is rising, and I’m painting it forward.
Thanks for riding with me.
Stay tuned — there’s more light to come.
— Tamara
Visit Alyson Stanfield’s links below and tell her Tamara sent you. :)
