TaraFlyArt

The temperature here in Maryland cannot decide whether to be beautiful and balmy.... or freezing!  It literally drops 40 degrees overnight.  Yesterday, I had the windows wide open.... and tomorrow I will turn all the heaters back on. It is only supposed to reach a "high" of 30 degrees on Saturday. Bleh!

Upcoming Events

My show season it starting up in 2 weeks.  If you live near Maryland/Virginia, we should meet up at a festival sometime!  

You can see my tentative 2017 schedule here:  taraflyart.com/upcoming-shows-…
I will be updating this list throughout the year (as I send out applications and receive responses).

Original Art

If you are interested in owning an original piece of artwork from me, I also have several auctions coming up in 2017.  
(Most of these are online)

You can check out the current auction schedule here:  taraflyart.com/art-auctions/
I will also be adding to this list as I sign up for charity events or put paintings up for auction on eBay (maybe this summer!)

Of course, you are always welcome to commission me!
My commission details and rates are here: taraflyart.com/cat-portraits/

Are you on Patreon?

Please consider supporting me on Patreon if you love my artwork!  Every extra dollar helps me to continue doing this for a living. 
If you are a creator on Patreon, let me know! We can support each other! 

www.patreon.com/TaraFly

I share time lapse videos, sketches, and progress pics of my paintings, and also ramble a lot about art and life. 
You'll hear from me more often than you do here on DeviantArt. LOL!

Where Else to FInd Me

I hang out mostly on Facebook these days. Yes, you may send me a friend request! Just give me a head's up that you're from dA. 
www.facebook.com/taraflyphotos

I have an art blog that I update more frequently than this journal, usually once per month. 
taraflyart.com/blog-2/

I have some art videos on YouTube:
www.youtube.com/user/taraflyph…

If you're interested in purchasing my art prints and merchandise, you can shop here:
www.etsy.com/shop/TaraFlyArt


Thank you for faving, sharing, and commenting. I appreciate your support!
Meow!

~ Tara =^,,^=

I have launched a new Kickstarter campaign, to raise funds to publish my 3rd cat art calendar!   We funded the first Literary Cats calendar in November 2014, and the 2nd calendar in September 2015.  

This year's calendar features 12 paintings I've completed within the past year, that haven't been published in the previous calendars.  

At backers' request, I will be ordering two versions of this calendar: a US/Canadian version (that begins on Sunday, and features US/Canadian holidays), and a European version (that begins on Monday, and features EU/UK holidays).  
**Special note: An Aussie calendar will also be coming soon**

These calendars are Limited Edition, signed and numbered.  

As an incentive, there are exclusive packages which include coloring pages, an art magnet, and an 8"x10" archival print (your choice of several featured pieces), in addition to the calendar. 

There are still some Early Bird Rewards remaining ~ only $25 with FREE shipping within the US for the above package! 

There are (2) Limited commissioned painting spots remaining. 

Please visit my Kickstarter page if you are interested in pledging for a calendar.  
www.kickstarter.com/projects/t…

The campaign ends on August 26th, at 6PM EST.  

Happy 2016 Everybody!

I haven't completed anything new (yet!), although I am knee-deep in my "Six of Cups" painting for the 78Tarot Carnival deck, which is due February 1st.
My work was featured in the two previous decks as well (the original Limited Edition and 78Tarot: Nautical).  You can follow their official Facebook page as this project unfolds. This deck is going to be super-awesome!  

Two sister galleries in the Seattle, WA area are hosting a "Tarot" themed exhibit, featuring original paintings from the 78Tarot group.  My "Pirates' Cave" (a.k.a. The Five of Wands) is on display, and for sale, at Eight & Sand Gallery, in Georgetown, from December 12th - January 1st, 2016.  Next, our exhibit moves to Push/Pull in Ballard. That show runs January 9th - February 12th.

I have two other scheduled exhibits coming up this year so far:  

 ~ I will be creating artwork for the "El Gato" show at Art At The Hall, in Aberdeen, Scotland, this October.  There are many talented artists involved in this show, so I'm super thrilled to be involved!  
~ Our Rabbit Hole Artist Collective will have a group show ~ themed "Dreamscapes" ~ at Penumbra Boutique & Gallery, in Alverca, Portugal.  I will be submitting at least one piece into that show as well.   

Of course, I will also be participating in the 11th Annual Art for the Animals charity auction, which is hosted by a local shop ~ Howards' Arts and Frames in Hagerstown, MD ~ throughout the month of October. 
It is a blind auction, and its proceeds go directly to Guiding Eyes for the Blind. This will be my 6th year donating artwork.

I will also be working on my 2017 Literary Cats Calendar, and will likely launch the Kickstarter a bit sooner than last year... I am looking at mid-August.  I ordered 150 calendars last year, and completely sold out before Christmas.  I plan to order at least 250 this year!

What you will definitely see from me this year (in terms of art):

• Greek Gods and Goddesses!
• An Edgar Allen Poe inspired series!
• Carnival/circus themes!
• Creepy stuff!
• Celtic/Druid pieces!
• Elegant 18th century period costumes!

So keep checking back, and weigh in on which characters/cat breeds you would like to see next!

I've just uploaded my latest painting, that I finished three weeks ago, called "Pax in Morte". It is part of a gallery exhibit being shown now at Penumbra Boutique, in Alverca Portugal. The theme is "Memento Mori".



I have been intrigued by the Victorian practice of photographing deceased loved ones (although I doubt I'd personally want my dead relatives photographed). The portraits are very captivating and creepy. My husband says looking at them makes him physically sick. I found that you have to be really careful when using Google Image Search, because photos tagged "post mortem" are mixed in with "Memento Mori", and can show really disturbing and graphic images of accident and murder victims... even children.

Anyway, my painting is currently on display at the gallery, if you live near Alverca and are lucky enough to see the exhibit in person! Anyone interested in pieces featured in the show can also make purchases through Penumbra's online shop. Helena will ship paintings anywhere in the world. 

Helena Reis, who co-owns Penumbra Boutique with her husband, was formerly a member of our Rabbit Hole Artist Collective. She is also a member of the 78Tarot group of artists. That is how we met! 

Speaking of the Rabbits, I am currently finishing up two paintings for Tuesday's auction ~ the dual-themed, "Candy Land" and "Fortune Tellers". I should have just combined the two themes; that would have been interesting!! Instead, I am 70% done with my Druid Priestess piece, and only 5-10% finished with the Candy Land piece. It might not be ready in time, but the Rabbits are also hosting a December holiday-themed art auction, so I might just wait to list it then. It has snow and candy-canes in it, so it's purrfect for Christmas.

You can follow my progress on Patreon, and even watch boring videos of me painting. 
I also post occasional work-in-progress shots on my Facebook page. 

If you would like to purchase prints of my artwork, visit my Etsy store. 
If you are interested in my upcoming shows and appearances, check out my schedule posted here on my website.

Thank you for your interest in my artwork! =^,,^=
~ Tara

Wow, I apologize for the mass-uploading of artwork over the past couple of days, after several years' absence from dA.  

Now that my Gallery is up-to-date, it should easy enough to maintain, as I usually paint 2-3 cat portraits per month.  

A little bit about my artwork and where to find it/buy it online...

~ I am a member of the Rabbit Hole Artist Collective (a Facebook group), that hosts bi-monthly themed art auctions.  
I will be sharing my work here (with details on how to bid) as the time approaches.  The next auction is November 24th, so we have plenty of time yet!

~ Every October, I participate in a local charity auction, "Art For the Animals", hosted by Howards' Arts and Frames on the Dual Highway in Hagerstown, MD.  I donate several pieces each year, for the silent auction, and all proceeds are given to Guiding Eyes For the Blind.  

This year, I've donated my Alice in Wonderland themed portraits, "Mad Hatter", "Queen of Hearts", and "The CATerpillar".  The event is happening RIGHT NOW! 

~ I am one of the participating artists in the 78Tarot project, and you will see my work in the upcoming Carnival themed deck.  (I painted 5 of Pentacles/Coins for the Limited Edition deck, and 5 of Wands for the Nautical deck). 

~ I will have original paintings available at The Eight & Sand gallery in Seattle, WA and Penumbra Boutique in Alverca, Portugal this fall.  Stay tuned for details!

~ I occasionally sell original paintings through my Etsy shop.  You can also find a nice selection of prints, greeting cards, bookmarks, magnets, and gifts featuring my art.

~ I occasionally sell ACEO prints (and a rare original painting) on eBay. Sellername: taraflyart

~ I sell my artwork in person, throughout the year, at festivals and conventions near my home. Check my website page: Upcoming Shows and Events. 

I will try to update Deviantart with all my upcoming appearances, auctions, etc... 
You can also follow me here on Facebook. =^,,^=

Thank you for your interest in my artwork! 
~ Tara =^,,^=