“The purpose of art is to ask questions.” –Lawrence Weiner.
As a contemporary figurative painter, Tamara Poff is focused on the expressive quality of the human form, having studied with renowned portrait and figure painters Joseph Lorusso, Seth Haverkamp, and Daniel Bilmes. Her method of intertwining narrative imagery with the figure leads to questions from the viewer, like, “Who is this person? How did they get here? What are they thinking?” Her subject's attitudes, emotions, placement, or predicaments tell the story.
A transplant from the Midwest to Tucson, AZ, in 2018, Poff re-emerged as a full-time artist thereafter, opening a studio at The Tucson Art and Design Center in 2022. Her work can be found in various private collections throughout the US.
Galleries:
Currently represented by Art One Gallery, Inc., 4130 N Marshall Way, Scottsdale, AZ 85251
Education:
B.A. in Art Education, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan. 1979
post-graduate studies toward an M.F.A. at Kendall College of Art and Design, Grand Rapids, Michigan, painting emphasis, 2000-2002
Media:
Featured Artist, Artsy Shark 2023
My Creative Process - Interview with Radio Free Roanoke
Artspan Review on Instagram
Grants
The Carmody Foundation, Art for Good. On view at Sisao Gallery, Phoenix, AZ, November 2024
Juried Exhibitions:
July 27 - August 10, 2024, Ladies Night, Covet Art Gallery, Oceanside, CA.
July 4 - September 4, 2024, Faces and Figures 2024, Las Laguna Gallery, Laguna Beach, CA
April 10 - May 16, 2024, Captured Moments, Shemer Art Center, Phoenix, AZ
March 29 - April 19, 2024, HERstory, Mariana de la Vega Art Gallery, Tucson, AZ
May 6 - June 17, 2023, Mujeres, Mujeres, Mujeres, Raices Taller 222 Gallery, Tucson, AZ
February 15 - April 15, 2023 San Diego Museum of Art, San Diego Artists Guild Spring Exhibition 2023
February 18-March 18, 2023, Best and Brightest, Scottsdale Artists School, Scottsdale, AZ
October 4-October 20, 2022, 133rd Annual Exhibition, National Association of Women Artists
October 1–October 22. 2022, Waterline, Steinfeld Gallery, Tucson, AZ
June 15 - July 31, 2022, Small Works, National Association of Women Artist
April 1 - May 1, 2022,Go Figure, Herberger Theater Center Gallery, 222 East Monroe St, Phoenix, AZ
December 4, 2021 - January 15, 2022, Little by Little, Art Intersection, 207 N Gilbert Rd # 201, Gilbert, AZ
2020 The Way of Love, Saint Philip's in the Hills, Honorable Mention Award
2017 29th Art in Gadsden: Regional Exhibition of Fine Art, Gadsden Arts Center and Museum, Quincy, Florida
2017 Open Art Exhibition, Light Space & Time Gallery, Special Merit Award
.png)
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS
Professional Artist Association
Portrait Society of America