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Tamara Laporte

willowing

4,858 48,347

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

This painting (2014) was a bit of a turning point in my creative process. I started becoming more deliberate with my marks, colour placement, and composition. I remember struggling with the background for ages (it felt boring and flat) until I added those orange marks and the black grungy border. Suddenly, it transformed into one of my all-time favourite pieces. It’s wild how a few small changes can make such a huge difference.

Looking at it now, I’m struck by how almost all the characters in my work have little companions by their side; usually animals. They feel like familiars, guardian angels, or ‘dæmons,’ as in Philip Pullman’s books, where animals are extensions of the soul helping you wherever you go. Weren’t those books just magical? I’m thinking of re-reading them.

It’s fascinating (and a little sad) that nature hasn’t given us this in real life; a constant supportive friend built right into our existence. Imagine a little being who’s always with you and also part of you. You’d always have a little friend with you, some of us wouldn’t be so alone. I worry about human beings and about how so many of us feel so alone. 😔

I think a lot about how humans thrive in connection, yet capitalism and individualism have eroded so much of that. I wish for everyone to have friendship, family, belonging, and a sense of home.

Also; the little fox from this very painting now lives on my friend Bekah’s skin as a tattoo. What an honour that is!

♥️♥️♥️

This is day 12 of a ‘gentle return to social media’ read more about this practice here: http://bit.ly/3IHFxir 🌱

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This painting (2014) was a bit of a turning point in my creative process. I started becoming more deliberate with my marks, colour placement, and composition. I remember struggling with the background for ages (it felt boring and flat) until I added those orange marks and the black grungy border. Suddenly, it transformed into one of my all-time favourite pieces. It’s wild how a few small changes can make such a huge difference. Looking at it now, I’m struck by how almost all the characters in my work have little companions by their side; usually animals. They feel like familiars, guardian angels, or ‘dæmons,’ as in Philip Pullman’s books, where animals are extensions of the soul helping you wherever you go. Weren’t those books just magical? I’m thinking of re-reading them. It’s fascinating (and a little sad) that nature hasn’t given us this in real life; a constant supportive friend built right into our existence. Imagine a little being who’s always with you and also part of you. You’d always have a little friend with you, some of us wouldn’t be so alone. I worry about human beings and about how so many of us feel so alone. 😔 I think a lot about how humans thrive in connection, yet capitalism and individualism have eroded so much of that. I wish for everyone to have friendship, family, belonging, and a sense of home. Also; the little fox from this very painting now lives on my friend Bekah’s skin as a tattoo. What an honour that is! ♥️♥️♥️ This is day 12 of a ‘gentle return to social media’ read more about this practice here: http://bit.ly/3IHFxir 🌱

Mental health struggles and trauma made me a seeker. I’ve been drawn to the spiritual from a young age. I started dabbling in ideas like astral travel at 15 (attempted doing it but never managed it, by the way 😅), read books about out-of-body experiences (hello, Robert Monroe!), and devoured stories by hypnotherapists who regressed their clients to past lives. It was (and still IS) deeply fascinating to me. A part of me was always looking for deeper answers through the spiritual.

Though I never felt called to the major religions (aside from a soft spot for Buddhism and Zen), I became intrigued by the more modern spiritual teachers of our time. I follow(ed) Eckhart Tolle, Matt Kahn, Ram Dass, Gangaji, Teal Swan, Adyashanti… and perhaps most notably, Byron Katie. I also loved listening to Alan Watts wax poetic about the nature of existence and the universe. For a while I worshipped these people in many ways and felt they held the answers to all of life’s mysterious problems.

Many of these figures have since fallen from their pedestals a bit, but their ideas and approaches to life helped me enormously in times of distress.

Byron Katie, in particular, was a huge influence on me for a time. I even interviewed her for my YouTube channel (the video is now private). During that conversation, she gifted me a scholarship to her "9 Days for The Work" program. I was deeply honoured, jumped on a plane... only to discover that the experience didn’t resonate with me at all. In fact, I found parts of it quite harmful.

I haven’t spoken publicly about this much, but those memories have been resurfacing lately. It feels important to acknowledge how easy it is to place ‘beloved gurus’ on pedestals, forgetting that they, too, are human. Flawed. Sometimes even dangerous.

In my own journey, I’ve learned to take what works from a teacher or teaching, and leave the rest behind. This painting (2014), featuring a powerful and beautiful quote by Byron Katie, reflects the love I had (and still have) for parts of her work. I still find some of it deeply helpful. But now I hold it all through a more balanced, humanised lens.

What about you? Have your gurus ever `fallen`? ♥️♥️♥️

Open
Mental health struggles and trauma made me a seeker. I’ve been drawn to the spiritual from a young age. I started dabbling in ideas like astral travel at 15 (attempted doing it but never managed it, by the way 😅), read books about out-of-body experiences (hello, Robert Monroe!), and devoured stories by hypnotherapists who regressed their clients to past lives. It was (and still IS) deeply fascinating to me. A part of me was always looking for deeper answers through the spiritual. Though I never felt called to the major religions (aside from a soft spot for Buddhism and Zen), I became intrigued by the more modern spiritual teachers of our time. I follow(ed) Eckhart Tolle, Matt Kahn, Ram Dass, Gangaji, Teal Swan, Adyashanti… and perhaps most notably, Byron Katie. I also loved listening to Alan Watts wax poetic about the nature of existence and the universe. For a while I worshipped these people in many ways and felt they held the answers to all of life’s mysterious problems. Many of these figures have since fallen from their pedestals a bit, but their ideas and approaches to life helped me enormously in times of distress. Byron Katie, in particular, was a huge influence on me for a time. I even interviewed her for my YouTube channel (the video is now private). During that conversation, she gifted me a scholarship to her "9 Days for The Work" program. I was deeply honoured, jumped on a plane... only to discover that the experience didn’t resonate with me at all. In fact, I found parts of it quite harmful. I haven’t spoken publicly about this much, but those memories have been resurfacing lately. It feels important to acknowledge how easy it is to place ‘beloved gurus’ on pedestals, forgetting that they, too, are human. Flawed. Sometimes even dangerous. In my own journey, I’ve learned to take what works from a teacher or teaching, and leave the rest behind. This painting (2014), featuring a powerful and beautiful quote by Byron Katie, reflects the love I had (and still have) for parts of her work. I still find some of it deeply helpful. But now I hold it all through a more balanced, humanised lens. What about you? Have your gurus ever 'fallen'? ♥️♥️♥️

✨ One Week to Go! Come Join the Cutie-Ful Fun ✨
Friends! Here a joyful reminder that Creating Cuties starts in ONE WEEK!

I’m so excited to begin this adorable, joy-sparking journey! Over the coming weeks, we’ll be painting the cutest animal characters, exploring playful colour palettes, and learning how to infuse our work with charm, expression, and warmth.

If you’ve been thinking about joining us, now’s the time! Doors will be closing soon and so does the 25% off early bird discount code, and I’d so love to welcome you in before we begin!

Here’s what Creating Cuties is all about:

🌈 You`ll learn to draw and paint whimsical animals in sweet, joy-filled scenes
🎨 I’ll guide you step-by-step with accessible, mixed media techniques
🐾 It’s beginner-friendly, playful, and full of feel-good vibes
💖 Most importantly, it’s all about creating art that lifts your spirit
The course officially starts on 12th August and you’ll get instant access to the classroom as soon as we begin.

✨ Don’t miss your chance to join this heartwarming, creativity-boosting adventure!

👉 Click here to sign up now:

https://bit.ly/CreatingCuties

Let’s paint some cuteness together; it would be an honour to have you in the class. ♥️♥️♥️

Big hugs and sparkly paws,
Tam
@everyone

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✨ One Week to Go! Come Join the Cutie-Ful Fun ✨ Friends! Here a joyful reminder that Creating Cuties starts in ONE WEEK! I’m so excited to begin this adorable, joy-sparking journey! Over the coming weeks, we’ll be painting the cutest animal characters, exploring playful colour palettes, and learning how to infuse our work with charm, expression, and warmth. If you’ve been thinking about joining us, now’s the time! Doors will be closing soon and so does the 25% off early bird discount code, and I’d so love to welcome you in before we begin! Here’s what Creating Cuties is all about: 🌈 You'll learn to draw and paint whimsical animals in sweet, joy-filled scenes 🎨 I’ll guide you step-by-step with accessible, mixed media techniques 🐾 It’s beginner-friendly, playful, and full of feel-good vibes 💖 Most importantly, it’s all about creating art that lifts your spirit The course officially starts on 12th August and you’ll get instant access to the classroom as soon as we begin. ✨ Don’t miss your chance to join this heartwarming, creativity-boosting adventure! 👉 Click here to sign up now: https://bit.ly/CreatingCuties Let’s paint some cuteness together; it would be an honour to have you in the class. ♥️♥️♥️ Big hugs and sparkly paws, Tam @everyone

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! 😂😁😆

Open
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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