Tami
comes from Texas and a family of fourth generation cattle ranchers.
She came to California in the '80's to raise her son, first in the
low desert, then Tami made a move to the Hi-Desert alone.
In this episode, Tami
talks about how she literally stumbled upon assemblage art, picking
up random metal and other objects on her daily walks and started
making art with them. Not knowing anyone in the community to which
she'd moved, she read and studied the Hwy 62 Art Tours guides to
meet local artists and get inspired.
Up
until a few months ago, Tami operated the 'I Heart Joshua Tree
Gallery' in the Joshua Tree Sun Alley Shops, where she loved
connecting with the people who came through. Though still making
art, she's left retail behind and is embarking on a new way of
showing and selling her art as a new vendor with the weekly
Palm Springs Village Art
Fest. She and friend Bob Rufer host their monthly
'I HEART Myself' Improv Class at Rainbow Stew in Yucca Valley (call
760-774-2553 for more info).
Tami
says, "The desert taught me to embrace self-care and that I am
resilient. I am strong. I don't care what everyone else is doing. I
do me!" Right on, Tami, right on!