Tammy Gray
What media of art do you work in?
I am a mixed media painter, using mainly water base medium and incorporate found objects from my travels. I also create small collection of ceramic structures for aesthetic purpose and functional use.
How would you describe your genre of painting?
After two decades of practising art, my work has gradually evolved into mainly abstract or semi-abstract style.
Can you describe your creative process? When you begin a painting, do you have an idea of what the end result is? Do you prepare sketches first? Do you know the colors you are going to use?
It is a long planning process before I embark on a painting project, I go through the notes and photos/videos taken from my travels. I pick out and abstract the light, shapes, colours and patterns that interest me. I usually make multiple sketches, some times over twenty of them until I am happy with the compositions and colours. So, I do have some ideas of what the painting would look like but it is not always the case.
What is the message you want people to take away from your artwork?
My paintings are not about one specific place or time, but a combination of experience, emotions, and responses to a journey. I hope my works may take the viewers on a journey of intrigue and exploration within their own space.
100 years from now, how do you want people to remember you as an artist?
When I am long gone, I wish people will still be able to enjoy my works and be inspired by my travel and art.
What is your favorite praise you have received from a client or about your work?
I have many interesting praises from my clients, such as “intriguing”, “thought provoking”, “striking colours” and “inspiring”. If I have to pick one, “thought provoking” would be my favourite.
What are your hobbies outside of Art?
Obviously travelling but I enjoy most outdoor activities.
What is an interesting piece of trivia about you that people don’t know?
I love making kombucha and experimenting different flavours!
What has been your strongest influence in your art career thus far?
I have been strongly influenced by abstract expressionism in recent years because it allows my creativity to flow, expand and regenerate.
What is your vision for yourself as an artist 5 years from now?
I hope to continue to develop and create art bringing pleasure for my viewers.
Which one is your favorite artwork you have ever done and tell us why?
My favourite painting is City Before Lockdown, which is part of the RECALL series about my travel. For as long as I can remember, I have been fascinated by the dazzling lights, colourful reflections and angular shaped buildings of the city by Hong Kong Harbour. During a year living in Hong Kong in the midst of the pandemic and I have witnessed the mood of this quintessential city. The cityis known for its hustle and bustle and vibrancy was ultimately affected by the impact of COVIC-19 pandemic. The complex emotion was deeply felt.
Which is one of your most recent works?
City Before Lockdown is also one of my latest work.