We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Tammy Tappan a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Tammy, so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?
Purpose. Purpose? I am not certain that I have actually found my purpose. I am also not sure that we have only one but, the question is one that I ask myself on a regular basis.
I have not always considered myself an artist which is kind of ironic given the fact that I went to art school. I also had a career that was very much dependent upon my creativity. I owned a sign company for nearly three decades before stumbling into what many consider my true calling – an artist. I do believe that we all have a calling on our lives and if we choose to follow that inkling, it may lead to purpose. That is what I believe today and here is why…
Over 10 years ago (2013), I sat in the back of a church. I was a guest and I really didn’t want to be there. I felt out of place and frankly kind of stupid. I was not raised with a strong faith and had little to no knowledge of the protocol of the Sunday routine. All the same, there I was in the back pew trying desperately to be invisible and get through the sermon without participating. After all, wasn’t it enough that I showed up?! As luck would have it, it was not enough. As I was exiting the church, I was stopped by an elderly man. We had never met. When he approached me, he looked me straight in the eye and said, “I hear you are an artist”. I of course looked over my shoulder to see who he was actually speaking to. When I realized that he was talking to me, I quickly responded with “ummm….no not really”. He was not satisfied with that answer and proceed to describe a vision he had. When he finished, he looked directly at me and asked “so can you paint it?” For some reason, I said yes!
This short interaction set off a series of events that have literally altered the course of my life in many ways. I did paint his vision and he repaired a broken mirror on my car – that was his way of thanking me and it was very much appreciated. What I learned from that event was that we all have a way of “seeing the world” and if we took the time to listen to another person, we could find a connection through sharing our individual gifts. The ability to paint or sculpt is my gift but, my purpose is creating connection through my art with as many people as I can. It is a form of communication. It is the way I share my inner landscape and it opens a pathway to empathy.
Art is my calling. Horses are my inspiration. Sharing my art is my pathway. Connecting people is my purpose.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
As an artist, we strive to find our own unique voice. What we paint or sculpt is only a piece of the puzzle. How we represent our subject and why we create is also part of the big picture. Horses have always been a part of my life. I have owned, ridden and cared for many equine partners so it just seemed natural that this would be my subject. What I didn’t expect is that my technique would carry more than just the likeness of a horse. It seems that I have been able to translate some sort of emotional messaging in my paintings.
I say this only because I have had the pleasure of watching people respond to my work. My studio is in a very public venue – Tryon International Equestrian Center. Because of its location, I have had the pleasure of meeting thousands of horse enthusiasts and curious people over the past 7 years. I honestly did not know what to expect when I opened up the studio. Artists are typically very critical of their own work. Having people walk in and have an emotional response – and yes, I mean tears on many occasion’s – was uncomfortable in the beginning. The last thing I wanted to do was make a stranger cry! What I have learned from these experiences is that art has a way of opening people up. That is magical.
I have also come to realize that the relationship between a human and a horse has deep meaning for many people. I am looking forward to exploring that intangible, emotional connection in my work as I move forward. The focus on the horse’s eye or ear position, the tilt of their head or flipping of a tail says volumes to the observant person. It is these nuances that I will be sharing as my work evolves.
I am also working on a large bronze monument at the moment entitled “The Slide”. This will be a tribute to the reining horses I am so fortunate to spend time with. The piece will be available in 2024.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
1. Don’t be afraid to fail! – This means try new things and learn from the process without being tied to the outcome..
2. Dream big! – Have goals that seem nearly unattainable. Make a plan and start moving in the direction towards the goal but, be willing and ready to pivot if something comes along.
3. Don’t listen to others! – It is your journey. Follow your instincts and have fun.
Thanks so much for sharing all these insights with us today. Before we go, is there a book that’s played in important role in your development?
I love to read so this seemed like the obvious question for me. I have been reading the work of Caroline Myss for almost 30 years. One of the most impactful books I have read is Advanced Energy Anatomy. It is a spiritual guide, a little self-help, a make you think book. I believe that creativity is impacted by many things to include the mindset and energy we bring to the studio. Being aware of that possibility gives you an opportunity to adjust your perspective. Ultimately for me it comes out on the canvas. When my head isn’t in it, I am typically not happy with the results.
One of the most interesting concepts I discovered in this particular book was the process of accepting a creative idea and how we naturally run that through our energetic system before we embark on a project. If we can see the value on many levels and are willing to own the outcome, the idea becomes a part of our work. If we run into an obstacle in one of our chakras, the creative thought may leave us and find a new host. This is not a quote by any means but a quick overview of the concept. I find it fascinating that there are endless creative endeavors out in the atmosphere waiting for someone to take them and make them a reality.
Contact Info:
- Website:TammyTappanArt.com
- Instagram: @Tammy_Tappan_Art
- Facebook: Tammy Tappan Art – Equine Instincts
- Youtube: @tammytappanartist3854
Image Credits
Tammy Tappan
