Today we’d like to introduce you to Tami Boyce.
Hi Tami, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
A love for drawing has been present in my life for as long as I can remember. I consider myself incredibly lucky to make a living as a professional creative.
It took me a long time to become confident in my illustration style. The art world can be a very serious and competitive place.
But one day, it hit me – there are already plenty of artists who offer beautiful sunset paintings to the world. I’m not that, and that’s okay. I’m making sure the world has enough illustrations of llamas on bikes and narwhals holding cocktails.
I strongly believe the world could use some more levity. To achieve this, I pull artistic inspiration from my humor and my heart. When looking at my work, I hope the viewer sees something that relates to them, touches their heart, or at least brings a smile to their face.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
Being a full-time creative can definitely be a struggle! I’ve been doing this for over a decade, and with each new piece I create, I simultaneously have the fear that it could be my “last good idea.” I used to think I was alone in that, but now I know I was incredibly wrong.
With most creatives, there is an undeniable level of self-doubt that accompanies that artistic talent. You question your ideas… you never feel prolific enough… sometimes you fear you’re a complete imposter. With many new artists, I think the biggest hurdle is learning to let go of all of that. You have to learn to trust your gut and move forward.
The longer I’ve been doing this, the better I’ve gotten with embracing that vulnerable aspect. And the more personal my work has become, the more it seems to resonate with people.
I finally accepted that my perspective and my voice is enough. I continue to create, even after negative feedback or other setbacks happen. Everyone – artist or not – will experience failure. Moving past that failure and learning from it is the only way to improve and become better.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am an illustrator and graphic designer, but I would say my heart really lights up while creating my personal art and children’s books.
A favorite series of mine, “Everybody Say, Love,” was created at the end of 2020 while processing some heavy feelings. In addition to the range of emotions that accompanied the pandemic, my mom was diagnosed with terminal cancer in April 2020 and passed away in the fall.
My headspace for most of the year hadn’t been a positive one, and I had not been prolific at all. In November 2020, I took all those thoughts and feelings and put them into the “Everybody Say Love” series. Through the struggles of loss and loneliness, the only thing I kept circling back to was “love.” All we have in this world is love and the connections we make. I wanted to put out a message reminding us that we are NOT alone and we will be okay.
Sharing these personal pieces was a little terrifying at first, but the feedback I’ve received from it has been life-changing. While grief and hardships can be the worst times to go through, surviving them is also what binds us together.
After releasing this series, many strangers have in turn shared their stories of loss with me. This has resulted in so many beautiful moments and conversations. I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to process my feelings through a creative outlet. I am incredibly honored that others have been touched by those pieces as well.
If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
Growing up, I was a huge, introverted weirdo. I was also in the band… So I had a lot going for me.
My family moved around a lot and when you’re shy, it can be pretty tough to make new friends. If you’re “weird,” it is even harder to find “your people.”
Fortunately, as the years passed, I was able to find people that showed me true friendship and love. These personal connections helped me embrace my authentic self and all the weirdness inside of me.
I have them to thank for helping make me feel comfortable in my own skin!
Pricing:
- Art prints range from $15 -$30
- Books range from $15 – $25
Contact Info:
- Website: www.tamiboyce.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tami_draws/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tamilikelikestodraw
Image Credits
Headshot photographed by Leslie Ryan McKellar
