Flowering Fancies: The Floral Art of Faye Tambrino

Faye M. Tambrino

Artist Statement: As an artist, I prefer working in watercolor, and occasionally venture into gouache and acrylic media.  My favorite subjects are forms from nature; however, I enjoy beginning most of my paintings without a plan, and allowing the media to suggest ideas to me.  I see the arts as an integral part of life, and much of my work reflects my Christian faith.

As a visual arts educator, I focus on raising my students’ awareness of the visual world, and their interpretation of it.  An important aspect of my teaching is creative problem solving.  I use various methods of idea gathering to explore the widest range of possibilities.  Flexibility is an important part of creativity.  My students are encouraged to look for alternate options such as an accident forcing a creative alternative.  Another vital aspect of my teaching is making connections with the history of art, an art vocabulary, and a basic understanding of design elements and principles.

Artist Biography: Faye  grew up in Thief River Falls, Minnesota, attended Concordia Colleges in St. Paul, Minnesota, and Seward, Nebraska, and awarded the BS in Art Education from the University of Minnesota. She taught part -time while raising her family, and moved to Iowa in the 1970’s.  She was awarded the MS in Educational Administration, and achieved National Certification as an Art Educator. She and husband, Paul, enjoy a blended family of 6 children and 8 grandchildren.

Faye was invited to the White House by First Lady, Laura Bush as one of five Iowa artists chosen to create state bird ornaments for the 2002 White House Christmas Tree.

Before moving to Florida in 2004 Faye’s work was shown in the Des Moines Heritage Gallery plus other locations around Iowa, including Fort Dodge, Iowa City, Waverly, and Marshalltown. As an Art Educator her paintings were selected to be exhibited for an unprecedented six consecutive national conventions in Washington, DC., Los Angeles, New York, Miami, Minneapolis, and Denver. Before retiring, Faye was named the Art Educators of Iowa’s Outstanding Middle School Art Teacher.

Currently Faye serves as past president of the “Central Florida Watercolor Society.” Locally, her work has been selected for shows at the Maitland Art Center, Seminole County Art Association Office, the Winter Park Library, the Maitland Library, the Steinway Piano Gallery in Altamonte Springs, the Plaza Theater in Winter Park, the Shakespeare Theater in Orlando, the University Club in Winter Park, Florida Hospital in Orlando, City Arts Factory in Orlando, Eustis City Hall, and Crealde Gallery in Winter Park.

Artist Links: Faye’s Blog | Artist Registry | Contact Faye