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Tamara Laporte

willowing

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Mixed media artist, teacher and author. I don’t see all IG msgs. For enq pls email hello@willowing.org - Join Creating Cuties:

I`m doing final preps for my new course (Creating Cuties) and just bumped into this super sweet image, totally forgot that I`d made this cute little character with funny speech bubble. One of the perks of perimenopause BRAIN FOG, is that you also forget the fun stuff you did for others and then are pleasantly surprised when you find random funny/ sweet things you did! 😂😁😆

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I'm doing final preps for my new course (Creating Cuties) and just bumped into this super sweet image, totally forgot that I'd made this cute little character with funny speech bubble. One of the perks of perimenopause BRAIN FOG, is that you also forget the fun stuff you did for others and then are pleasantly surprised when you find random funny/ sweet things you did! 😂😁😆

"Angels Are Always With You" - This painting, created in 2014, was loosely inspired by the mystical works of Susan Seddon Boulet. Her art whispered to me of protection, connection, and unseen realms; and I was quietly enamoured by it all.

Looking back on my childhood, I realise that I grew up with a strong sense that I had to be independent, resilient, and self-reliant; a kind of emotional armouring that still echoes through me today. It’s something I’ve worked on in therapy for many years, but a streak of avoidant attachment still lingers. Being bullied in childhood and not receiving much support for this; I learned early on that depending on others often led to disappointment, so I built my safety through self-dependence.

My beautiful love Andy, and many of my close friends these days, continue to show me (again and again) that this belief doesn’t always hold true. That some people can be safe harbours and that is why kindness and true support heals me a bit, every day.

Still, you can see in this painting a deep yearning, perhaps even a knowing, that I’ve always held: a longing to be surrounded by protectors. Angels. Guides. Mentors. Elders. Ancestors. I feel them, both the ones in spirit, and a few very special ones in the flesh. 💕

I remember once, in my twenties, feeling so ready for a teacher that I approached a real, board-certified Zen master. I was prepared to be devoted, to be led. He invited me to meet at a pub and promptly spilled beer on my trousers. 😂 At the time, I was slightly horrified. Now I see: perhaps that was the lesson. (Very Zen.)

And so, I kept walking my own path. But even now, I believe those angels (seen or unseen) have always been with me. In whispers, in wings, in laughter, in love. Somehow, some way.

This is day 10 of a ‘gentle return to social media’ read more about this practice here: http://bit.ly/3IHFxir 🌱

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"Angels Are Always With You" - This painting, created in 2014, was loosely inspired by the mystical works of Susan Seddon Boulet. Her art whispered to me of protection, connection, and unseen realms; and I was quietly enamoured by it all. Looking back on my childhood, I realise that I grew up with a strong sense that I had to be independent, resilient, and self-reliant; a kind of emotional armouring that still echoes through me today. It’s something I’ve worked on in therapy for many years, but a streak of avoidant attachment still lingers. Being bullied in childhood and not receiving much support for this; I learned early on that depending on others often led to disappointment, so I built my safety through self-dependence. My beautiful love Andy, and many of my close friends these days, continue to show me (again and again) that this belief doesn’t always hold true. That some people can be safe harbours and that is why kindness and true support heals me a bit, every day. Still, you can see in this painting a deep yearning, perhaps even a knowing, that I’ve always held: a longing to be surrounded by protectors. Angels. Guides. Mentors. Elders. Ancestors. I feel them, both the ones in spirit, and a few very special ones in the flesh. 💕 I remember once, in my twenties, feeling so ready for a teacher that I approached a real, board-certified Zen master. I was prepared to be devoted, to be led. He invited me to meet at a pub and promptly spilled beer on my trousers. 😂 At the time, I was slightly horrified. Now I see: perhaps that was the lesson. (Very Zen.) And so, I kept walking my own path. But even now, I believe those angels (seen or unseen) have always been with me. In whispers, in wings, in laughter, in love. Somehow, some way. This is day 10 of a ‘gentle return to social media’ read more about this practice here: http://bit.ly/3IHFxir 🌱

In case you missed the newsletter! --> Coming in 2026: A whole year of magic & fairy tales! 🧚‍♀️📜

So many of you have asked about this…

“What’s the theme for your next year-long course, Tam?”
“Will there be another Year of Light or will we do something else?”

Well, I’m so excited to finally share it with you! 🌟 Ready? 😊

Next year’s magical, joy-filled, heart-expanding journey will be called:

✨ A Year of Magic & Fairy Tales ✨– a magical adventure through magic, story, wonder, and everyday enchantment.

This course is a heartfelt offering; not just for your creative practice, but also for your spirit. ✨🙏✨

I know that life can feel heavy sometimes (hello understatement). The world has been challenging for so many of us for a long while now. Personally, I’ve often found myself longing for comfort, softness, a sense of wonder… and that’s exactly what I’ve poured into this new course.

This course will offer a way to come back to yourself, to spark imagination, and to gently hold the parts of us that feel weary or overwhelmed. It’s balm for the soul; a little candle in the dark. 🕯️

In this course, we’ll explore magic in a broad sense, but also story, myth & lore and subjects like glowing forests, storybook characters, enchanted creatures, shimmering moons, and everyday objects or experiences turned magical. We’ll look for magic in the ordinary and extraordinary and paint it to our hearts’ content!

Expect a beautiful blend of my signature mixed media lessons, a stunning team of guest teachers, and a touch of playfulness, nostalgia, and wonder throughout. 🎨🦉🌙

I’ll share full details, the teacher line-up, and the early bird details & launch date very soon, but I wanted you to know the theme ahead of time, in case it resonates deeply and you’d like to save your spot.

If you’re craving magic, softness, enchantment and art that feels like a warm, whimsical hug; this one’s for you. 💛

With fairy wings and love,
Tam x ✨💕

PS. More details and all sign up info will launch near the end of August/ Early Sept ♥️♥️♥️

PPS. YES!! There will of course be an AWESOME taster event for this course too, can’t wait to share the details with you!!

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In case you missed the newsletter! --> Coming in 2026: A whole year of magic & fairy tales! 🧚‍♀️📜 So many of you have asked about this… “What’s the theme for your next year-long course, Tam?” “Will there be another Year of Light or will we do something else?” Well, I’m so excited to finally share it with you! 🌟 Ready? 😊 Next year’s magical, joy-filled, heart-expanding journey will be called: ✨ A Year of Magic & Fairy Tales ✨– a magical adventure through magic, story, wonder, and everyday enchantment. This course is a heartfelt offering; not just for your creative practice, but also for your spirit. ✨🙏✨ I know that life can feel heavy sometimes (hello understatement). The world has been challenging for so many of us for a long while now. Personally, I’ve often found myself longing for comfort, softness, a sense of wonder… and that’s exactly what I’ve poured into this new course. This course will offer a way to come back to yourself, to spark imagination, and to gently hold the parts of us that feel weary or overwhelmed. It’s balm for the soul; a little candle in the dark. 🕯️ In this course, we’ll explore magic in a broad sense, but also story, myth & lore and subjects like glowing forests, storybook characters, enchanted creatures, shimmering moons, and everyday objects or experiences turned magical. We’ll look for magic in the ordinary and extraordinary and paint it to our hearts’ content! Expect a beautiful blend of my signature mixed media lessons, a stunning team of guest teachers, and a touch of playfulness, nostalgia, and wonder throughout. 🎨🦉🌙 I’ll share full details, the teacher line-up, and the early bird details & launch date very soon, but I wanted you to know the theme ahead of time, in case it resonates deeply and you’d like to save your spot. If you’re craving magic, softness, enchantment and art that feels like a warm, whimsical hug; this one’s for you. 💛 With fairy wings and love, Tam x ✨💕 PS. More details and all sign up info will launch near the end of August/ Early Sept ♥️♥️♥️ PPS. YES!! There will of course be an AWESOME taster event for this course too, can’t wait to share the details with you!!

Wings of the Butterfly. 🦋

When I look at this painting, created back in 2014, I find myself wondering just how many of those tiny butterfly wings I’ve painted in my life. Likely hundreds by now! They’ve become such a recognisable thread in my work, and I still love drawing them.
There’s something tender about embedding little symbols that hold personal meaning for me into my art. It feels like I’m leaving behind intimate, whispered notes (small drops of myself) woven into each piece.

The butterfly wings, for instance, often symbolise freedom, lightness, whimsy, and ease. Sometimes transformation, yes, but for me, more often they speak to the longing for lightness. A wish to be unburdened. I love how butterflies flap about in their unpredictable, carefree way. So lithe. So unencumbered. I rarely feel like that myself. But how I wish I did.

This painting is layered with symbols I still use to this day:

* The whimsical little houses, speaking to my deep need for belonging and community
* The hanging hearts and stars, evoking love and wisdom; I’ve always wished for them falling from the sky in buckets
*The sweet creatures perched on shoulders, hands or other body parts, partly for whimsy, partly as symbols of ever-present little unconditionally loving guardians.
I wrote recently about how I tend to paint *what I need for my pain*, rather than painting the pain itself. This painting is such a perfect example of that.

I needed sunshine, rainbows, unconditional love, friendship, community, belonging, wisdom. And so; here it is, all wrapped up in this tender, hope-filled image.

Colour-wise, I still love that glowing orange aura around the girl, contrasted against the deep teals. The washi tape and collage on the dress felt rough and playful in just the right way. And I remember feeling especially delighted by the butterfly wing drawn onto the collarbone; it’s that kind of strange, poetic detail that lights up the right side of my brain, the place where all the good magic lives. ✨

I’m curious; how does this painting speak to you?

This is day 9 of a ‘gentle return to social media’ read more about this practice here: http://bit.ly/3IHFxir 🌱

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Wings of the Butterfly. 🦋 When I look at this painting, created back in 2014, I find myself wondering just how many of those tiny butterfly wings I’ve painted in my life. Likely hundreds by now! They’ve become such a recognisable thread in my work, and I still love drawing them. There’s something tender about embedding little symbols that hold personal meaning for me into my art. It feels like I’m leaving behind intimate, whispered notes (small drops of myself) woven into each piece. The butterfly wings, for instance, often symbolise freedom, lightness, whimsy, and ease. Sometimes transformation, yes, but for me, more often they speak to the longing for lightness. A wish to be unburdened. I love how butterflies flap about in their unpredictable, carefree way. So lithe. So unencumbered. I rarely feel like that myself. But how I wish I did. This painting is layered with symbols I still use to this day: * The whimsical little houses, speaking to my deep need for belonging and community * The hanging hearts and stars, evoking love and wisdom; I’ve always wished for them falling from the sky in buckets *The sweet creatures perched on shoulders, hands or other body parts, partly for whimsy, partly as symbols of ever-present little unconditionally loving guardians. I wrote recently about how I tend to paint *what I need for my pain*, rather than painting the pain itself. This painting is such a perfect example of that. I needed sunshine, rainbows, unconditional love, friendship, community, belonging, wisdom. And so; here it is, all wrapped up in this tender, hope-filled image. Colour-wise, I still love that glowing orange aura around the girl, contrasted against the deep teals. The washi tape and collage on the dress felt rough and playful in just the right way. And I remember feeling especially delighted by the butterfly wing drawn onto the collarbone; it’s that kind of strange, poetic detail that lights up the right side of my brain, the place where all the good magic lives. ✨ I’m curious; how does this painting speak to you? This is day 9 of a ‘gentle return to social media’ read more about this practice here: http://bit.ly/3IHFxir 🌱

I bristled recently when I heard a prominent psychologist claim that empathy can be a bad quality in people. I half-chuckled, half felt bile rise in my throat, wanting to throw up at the notion.

Now, I get that I must first define the term in order defend that response. Empathy is not lenience. It’s not passivity, or tolerance for harm. True empathy doesn’t excuse; it understands. It gets close. And from that place of understanding, love, connection, repair, restoration, and justice can flow. 💕

As a child, I was often told that kindness was a weak, even foolish quality. The world, I was taught, required ruthlessness, cunning, efficiency; cut-throat ambition. But my little soul disagreed. I longed for softness, gentleness, warmth. I felt safe around true kindness. Even then, I bristled at the suggestion that love and compassion were naive or useless.

Years later, I met Andy (my beautiful soulmate) and he introduced me to the work of Marshall Rosenberg and Nonviolent Communication. It was a profound homecoming. Rosenberg`s work validated what I had felt all along: that empathy and compassion are not just lovely ideas; they are powerful tools for healing trauma, transforming conflict, and creating a more just and loving world.

This is why love, compassion, and empathy are such central themes in my art. Today I’m sharing one of the first paintings I created with this focus, back in 2014. It’s whimsical and folk-arty, simple but strong in message. I still love it.

Let this be a reminder: kindness is not weakness. Empathy is not indulgence. These qualities are fierce and world-changing when we let them guide us.

This is day 8 of a ‘gentle return to social media’ read more about this practice here: http://bit.ly/3IHFxir 🌱

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I bristled recently when I heard a prominent psychologist claim that empathy can be a bad quality in people. I half-chuckled, half felt bile rise in my throat, wanting to throw up at the notion. Now, I get that I must first define the term in order defend that response. Empathy is not lenience. It’s not passivity, or tolerance for harm. True empathy doesn’t excuse; it understands. It gets close. And from that place of understanding, love, connection, repair, restoration, and justice can flow. 💕 As a child, I was often told that kindness was a weak, even foolish quality. The world, I was taught, required ruthlessness, cunning, efficiency; cut-throat ambition. But my little soul disagreed. I longed for softness, gentleness, warmth. I felt safe around true kindness. Even then, I bristled at the suggestion that love and compassion were naive or useless. Years later, I met Andy (my beautiful soulmate) and he introduced me to the work of Marshall Rosenberg and Nonviolent Communication. It was a profound homecoming. Rosenberg's work validated what I had felt all along: that empathy and compassion are not just lovely ideas; they are powerful tools for healing trauma, transforming conflict, and creating a more just and loving world. This is why love, compassion, and empathy are such central themes in my art. Today I’m sharing one of the first paintings I created with this focus, back in 2014. It’s whimsical and folk-arty, simple but strong in message. I still love it. Let this be a reminder: kindness is not weakness. Empathy is not indulgence. These qualities are fierce and world-changing when we let them guide us. This is day 8 of a ‘gentle return to social media’ read more about this practice here: http://bit.ly/3IHFxir 🌱
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