Discover Tammy Lauf - Artist

My love of painting started in my mid teens, first in high school and then with a conversation I had with a neighbor. She was a very kind lady who introduced me to decorative tole painting. It was a method of painting, learning how to base paint objects, shade and highlight and add details. I remember my first objects were strawberries. The strawberries I created came to life and looked real! I was so excited and painted with her a few times. Then I purchased painting instruction books, which were very popular at that time. I started in oils learning from a landscape painter, Dorothy Dent from Missouri. If I messed up I would try again and again. I learned so much from her and several other artists at that time. I couldn't get enough and enrolled in any class I could. 

My knowledge progressed through the years by attending college and industry convention classes around the country. This art background aided my choice to switch careers. There was a new technology design field in the early 90's performed on a newer computer called a MacIntosh. This career is now called graphic design or visual marketing communications. I worked in large and small corporate marketing departments for many years and continued my side job as an artist. I branched out to acrylics from oils, as well as fabric paint and glass paint. I have enjoyed over 30 years of successful exhibiting and sales at WI and IL shows and have accrued a following. In addition to exhibiting, I started teaching in 1995 with success again. I was happy to help both adults and kids create their unique style of art with various styles and surfaces. 

Currently, I live in rural Mount Pleasant, WI located in the region between Milwaukee and Chicago a few miles from Lake Michigan. You can find my items at the local WI markets or on the Etsy.com platform. My ornaments are sought out by a local following which gives me great JOY! I still enjoy painting very much and have much gratitude to Jesus for this enjoyable gift. It has sustained me through difficult times in my life. I am forever thankful to my parents in heaven, family and friends for their encouragement and help through the years.