The art of Tamara Nelson

Walking into Tamara Nelson Art Gallery, one could easily spend hours making connections with her work.

Nelson is a multi-faceted artist with a passion for many different mediums including acrylics, oils, inks, resins and mixed media. She explores different materials and methods to create her own personal style and push boundaries. The Laguna Beach artist’s paintings and other works are on display around the world and people can often derive different vibes from her work on any given day. Vibrant reds, deep blacks, many different hues of green and blue and much more combine to make spaces more intimate.

Nelson started painting scenes of the shoreline with oil when she was six years old. When she was 17, her attention turned to a modeling career that took her around the world and exposed her to many different artistic styles.

“I was inspired by what I saw from so many different places,” Nelson said. “It freed me to experiment with my work and push the boundaries.”

Her pieces are featured in many commercial and private spaces. Additionally, more than 4,500 of her paintings are being installed in guest rooms at The STRAT Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas. Her art is also being installed in 600 guest rooms and corridors of the Pala Hotel and Casino in San Diego County.

Additionally, Tamara Nelson Art has been featured in “GQ,” “World of Interiors” and “House and Garden” magazines. Nelson’s Congo from her Collectors Rainforest Series was selected for the 2019 California Open Art Exhibition from over 5,000 pieces of art and sculptures.

Firesky, an acrylic on canvas, and Mimosa, an ink on yupo, were just recently selected for the 2020 LA Open Exhibition at TAG Gallery on Museum Row in downtown Los Angeles. While her work is featured prominently in commercial spaces, galleries and private homes, she also wants her work to be available to anyone. Most of her paintings can be professionally reprinted and framed at a more affordable price.

“I’m huge on keeping art accessible to everyone,” Nelson said. “I want everyone to be able to get something they really want. If it speaks to them, I want it to be available to them.”

Although she has found success throughout the world, she still enjoys personally meeting people at Tamara Nelson Art Gallery on North Coast Highway in Laguna Beach.

“The city has been so supportive,” Nelson said. “We get about 300 people that come through during the First Thursday Art Walk. Laguna Beach is already a multinational community and I continue to meet new people from all over the world. It’s just so inspiring to me.”