Sacred Journey Inner View with Tammi Rager of
The Brainchild Studio
For August 12th, 2022 Sacred Journey Exhibition at 400 W Rich/Promenade Gallery
Exhibition Introduction:
Throughout the ages, humans have asked: “Why are we here?”, “What is the meaning of my life?”, or “What is the purpose of existence?” and throughout the ages artists have stepped forward to address those questions. Many artists see their art as a metaphysical or spiritual journey. Artists have been involved in the creation and design of divination tools to foresee the future or to clarify the past. The six artists involved in this exhibition have diverse artistic styles including printmaking, mixed media, and sculpture, yet the common bridge that brings them together is the spiritualism of their art: to feel awe, to experience something new, to be open to possibility, to reach out and to connect. During the Sacred Journey Exhibition, these artists will highlight the experiences and beliefs of the artists as it showcases a variety of avenues to address the question of the meaning of life. The artists will focus on both the question and on the tools used in humanity’s quest for answers.
Q: Let’s start with the basics Tammi. How would you describe your art?
TR: My art features heavily textured/sculpted areas because I love to create a play between light and shadow. As a result, my work changes all day long based on the lighting where it is placed. Let’s just deal with my wall art (the mixed media paintings). Much of my work is a result of wondering how far I can push myself or if something new will work and what interaction with light will result.
Q: Is there anything that you feel sets your apart from other art/artists:
TR: I guess my textures and raised art makes it very unique from other artists. I’d love to just paint a canvas but I just can’t do it… this makes me crazy some days. At times, I feel less like an artist and more like a construction foreman due to my creative process. I can’t use color like other artists because of the shadowing process on some pieces and have found limiting my palette colors works best for my art. I get asked all the time what I use and it’s taken almost 5 years to get to this point of creation.
Q: Do you have a favorite medium that you prefer to work with? And do you have a favorite artist tool you like to work with?
TR: I’m a total control freak and I draw every piece out at least 3 times before starting on a canvas. I’m a mixed media artist using foam, modeling pastes, plaster, a custom-made paper mâché mixture, fabric and acrylics. So… obviously my favorite tool is an eraser!
Q: As an artist, how would you like to be thought of or remembered?
TR: I’m not a political or social artist in any sense. I’d like people to think my art is relaxing or meditative and helps create a calming atmosphere where viewers can de-stress from life. I just want people to experience my art in a quiet mind-set where they can observe the changes and differences from light and texture.
Q: You have lots of techniques, mediums and offerings in your studio. Why?
TR: Yeah, tons of people enter the studio and ask how many artists are in the studio. (lol) Between wall art, crystal suncatchers, jewelry and pen/ink drawings I guess it is a normal question. To be honest, I get bored easily and indulge my “present moment” interest… somedays I want to make jewelry and other days I want to draw. I never want to be a one-trick pony and am always trying to expand my work in new ways. Plus, I want to be that old lady that people always wonder what I’m up to now.
Q: You’ve been given a “spirit name” and have used this in different ways; but you don’t with your art. Will you go back to using it in the future?
TR: Actually, I’m developing a series that will be introduce in 2023 that uses my Spirit Name as the theme. I was given a new name, sort of like an up-grade in 2021 and haven’t felt ready in making it public but the time is coming and I’m excited about the changes that it will bring. Being energetic in nature, it’s going to bring a shift to many areas of my life as well.
Let’s talk about the Exhibition titled Sacred Journey!
Q: Can you explain your personal definition of spirituality.
TR: Spirituality (for me at least) is knowing I’m a part of something much bigger that is outside myself and while I am a separate being I’m connected to all other things at the same time. I have followed a very “earth-based religion” belief system for most my life.
Q: In this exhibition, what message are you trying to convey through your work?
TR: I’d like to represent that each person is on their path and sometimes we find others going in the same direction as we are and thus we get to share part of that path for a while.
Q: Is there a specific personal message (regarding spirituality) that you’d like to convey in your art during this exhibition?
TR: Focus on today or the present moment and enjoy it! Don’t miss all the wonderful things today offers by being obsessed with the future… or the past.
Q. What is one specific inspirational or spiritual message you’d like to convey not through your work?
TR: Just breathe!!! If you can just TRY to do your best each day then that’s all the universe can ask of you… that you just try.
Q: During the exhibition, is there a particular thing/feeling you’d like people viewing your work to leave with?
TR: My goal is just to make people take a moment to just stop the endless chatter of the world around them so they can just touch their own inner self to find a moment of peace.
If people wanted to follow-up with you on your work or discover new art you’re creating, what’s the best way to do that?
Our website is TheBrainchildStudio.com and we are also on Facebook. I’m just starting to use Instagram and there’s a link to it on our FB and website as well.