Born 1964 in Winder, Georgia. Lives and works in the Atlanta metropolitan area.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Adjunct Professor, Art & Design
Reinhardt University, Waleska, GA, 2023-present
Fine Art Painter–Interactive 2D
The Tamara Deane Collection, Canton, GA, 2022-Present
Fine Art Painter–Realistic Surrealism, Workshop Instructor
Southern Studio Arts (owner), Atlanta/Winder (gallery)/Canton GA, 2013-Present
Creative Director, Illustrator, Graphic Designer
Tamara McElhannon Graphic Design & Illustration, Atlanta/Canton, GA, 2000-Present
Creative Director
DO Marketing & Fundraising, Naples, FL, 2015-Present
Adjunct Professor, Graphic Design
Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, 2016-2018
Lead Scenic Designer–Professional Theatre
Horizon Theatre, Synchronicity Theatre, Marietta Theatre in the Square, Atlanta/Marietta, 2007-2011
President, Art Director, Graphic Designer
Design Basics, Inc., Atlanta, GA, 1990-2000
Adjunct Professor, Graphic Design
Art Institute of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA, 1990-1992
Graphic Designer, Sales Representative
Graphic Design Services, South Plainsville, NJ, 1986-1989
EDUCATION
Restoration, Frescoes, Oil Painting
Lorenzo De’Medici, Florence, Italy, 2000
Intern, Digital Graphic Design Dept.
Pratt Institute, Manhattan Campus, New York, NY, 1986-1987
Bachelor of Fine Arts, Graphic Design
University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 1983-1985
School of Fine Arts
Asbury University, Wilmore, KY, 1981-1982
SELECTED EXHIBITIONS
Metro Montage – National Juried Exhibition, Marietta Cobb Museum of Art, Marietta, GA, group exhibition, July 1-September 3, 2023
The Falany Performing Arts Center, Reinhardt University, Waleska, GA, group exhibition, March 2023
Small Town, Small Works, The Reeves House, Woodstock, GA, group exhibition, October 2022
Transformations, Southern Studio Arts, Winder, GA, solo exhibition, March 2015
Forgotten Memories, Southern Studio Arts, Winder, GA, group exhibition, May 2014
American Still Life, The Bascom, Highlands, NC, juried exhibition, September 2013
Plein Air Paint Out, Braselton, GA, group exhibition, October 2013
Decatur Arts Festival-Fine Art Exhibit, Agnes Scott College Dalton Gallery, Decatur, GA, juried exhibition, May 2013
Other Voices, PBJ Gallery, Atlanta, GA, co-exhibition, May 2011
Curious, Guillotine Post, Atlanta, GA, solo exhibition, April 2007
Spectrum, Lamber Gallery, Atlanta, GA, group exhibition, March 2006
Gender Gap, Lambert Gallery, Atlanta, GA, co-exhibition, February 2004
Fact or Fantasy, Seen Gallery, Atlanta GA, group exhibition, June 2004
10th Biennial National Juried Art Exhibition, Leslie Powell Gallery, Lawton, OK, February 2003
The Atlanta Symphony Benefit, Alliance Theatre, Atlanta, GA, group exhibition, February 2002
National Women’s History Exhibition, Home Depot Corporate Headquarters, Atlanta GA, group exhibition, March 2002
Atlanta Artists, Barkin & Leeds Gallery, SunTrust Plaza Gallery, Atlanta, GA, group exhibition, October 2002
MEDIA
Best Version Media, Bradshaw Lake Living, Bridgemill Neighbors, and Hickory Flat Neighbors, print articles: Featured Artist, and editorial “The Curious Soul,” 2023
Live Twitter event: Personal Branding Audio Interview: Q&A, hosted by The Artists Guild, 2018
Live Twitter event: The Guild Chat: Personal Branding, group discussion by invitation, hosted by The Artists Guild, 2018
Online article: “Are You Announcing, Commanding or Inviting?” 2014
Online workshop interview: Topic–Direct Mail for Artists, hosted by Alyson Stansfield, Consulting and Community for Committed Artists, 2014
Online article: The Next Cool Event, 2012
Print article: Atlanta Intown, Horizon Theatre’s “In Darfur,” scenic designer “praise” (superb use of space), 2012
Print article: Atlanta Journal & Constitution, Horizon Theatre’s “Clean House,” scenic designer “smartly realized, visually handsome,” 2008
Print article: Atlanta Intown, Horizon Theatre’s “9 Parts of Desire,” scenic designer, “lovely and draws you in immediately,” 2007s,
RELATED EXPERIENCE & SPECIAL PROJECTS
Board Member, The Art Section: An Online Journal of Art and Cultural Commentary, international online magazine, 2020-present
The Poetry Project, press release, new work from five poets inspired by painter Romare Bearden, TAS Board member, event assistance, and graphic support, 2020
Oil Painters of America Member, 2012-present
Susi Bass Award Nominee, 9 Parts of Desire, Horizon Theatre, Scenic Design in Professional Theatre, September 2007
Arrowmont School of Arts, Gatlinburg, TN / Crafts and Penland School of Craft, Bakersville, NC
• Portrait painting, Instructor: Carl Gombert 2024
• Mural painting, instructor: Taylor Shaw, 2023
• Airbrush painting, instructor: Brandon J. Donahue, 2022
• Etching/printmaking, Instructor: Chris Mueller, 2019
• Plein Air painting, instructor: John David Wissler, 2018
• Large format drawing, instruction: Cornel Rubino, 2017
Hosted workshops and course development, Southern Studio Arts, various dates
• Abstract Painting
• Conceptual Creativity
• Painting in oils/acrylics
• Landscape Painting
• Plein Air Painting
Special Project: PDF, The Staalmeesters–The Evidence in Support of a Lost Masterpiece by Rembrandt, in partnership with Lloyd Nick, former Director at the Oglethorpe University Museum of Art-OUMA, 2014
Special Project: PDF, Carl Jung, The Sacred Round, catalog and promotional collateral, Oglethorpe University Museum of Art-OUMA, 2012
Special Project: PDF, Chagall, The Early Etchings of the 1920s, promotional collateral, Oglethorpe University Museum of Art-OUMA, year unknown
