Tamara L'Artiste

Tamara Natalie Madden was born in St. Andrew, Jamaica and raised in Manchester, Jamaica—a place that many refer to as the “bush.” It was during her childhood in Manchester that Madden was exposed to her first artistic influences. As an early reader, Tamara spent most of her days reading children’s books and found herself enthralled by the colorful illustrations. Her uncles, who were Rastafarians, played an important role in her artistic development as well. At age 5, she remembers seeing pencil drawings that her uncle created. She was fascinated and remembers trying to understand how he could create something from nothing. Her uncles were also amazing sculptors, sculpting beautiful carvings from scrap wood. In that same year her uncle Carl taught her how to sharpen her pencils with a machete. From that point on, she decided that she would be an artist.
Tamara has always loved literature and spent most of her teenage years reading and writing poetry and short stories. Her vivid imagination and memories would play a major role in her future artistic creations. She won her first art award at age 14 and found inspiration from a summer school art teacher, who believed in her talent so much that he gave her all the remaining art supplies after the summer session ended. She continued to pursue art during her high school years, studying advanced literature, photography and creative writing. In 1992, when her art teacher passed from cancer, her sadness, along with teenage concerns, diverted her attention from art. Tamara created art sporadically for the next few years, with her passion eventually dissipating as life issues took precedence over her creativity.
In 1997, Tamara was diagnosed with a rare genetic kidney disease called IGA Nephropathy. Over the next few years she would watch her body deteriorate while she tried to maintain sanity amidst all of the toxins collecting in her body. In order to maintain some semblance of normalcy, she began to create again. In 2000, Tamara took a trip home to Jamaica in hopes of reuniting with family and finding a long lost brother. She had no idea that the trip would save her life. Her brother, who she had not seen since she was six, offered his kidney to her upon seeing the condition that she was in. This amazing offer was consummated in 2001 with Tamara undergoing a successful kidney transplant. That year she participated in her first art exhibition, making good on the promise that she had made to herself long ago to become a professional fine artist.
Tamara uses self-developed drawing and painting processes to create, however she credits her mentors and influences for her artistic growth. Her mentors include Ammar Nsoroma, Evelyn Patricia Terry, Della Wells, Charly Palmer and Kevin A. Williams (WAK). Their knowledge, support and belief in her talent have encouraged her to become an expansive and prolific artist. She creates in remembrance of everyday survivors and her work is heavily influenced by her vivid memories of growing up in rural Jamaica. Tamara is also intrigued by the beauty and innocence of children and paints them often. In addition, she has recently delved into abstraction, welcoming the opportunity to indulge her love for color and texture.
“ My art is a reflection of my personality—vivid and buoyant.” – Tamara Natalie Madden
I am a lover of life and a creator of art.
Visit www.tamaranataliemadden.com to see more art.
Be Blessed.