My Bio

Tammy Gilley, Artist I love what Monet said: “Color is my day-long obsession, joy, and torment.” Happily, days playing with color in my studio are more joyful than tormenting, but there is definitely an obsession. Oh yes. I’m one of those people with with so many passions, it’s impossible for me to pick just one. It’s allowed me opportunities to do a lot of different things in my life: study in France, work in special events at our local flagship department store, orchestrate the holiday parade in downtown Portland and meet The-Big-Guy-in-the-Red-Suit-Himself (oh yes, Virginia, he does exist), be a massage therapist, participate in a television commercial (actually did this twice - most fun ever!), become the Director of Sales and Marketing for a small publisher, write copy for radio advertising, and lots, lots more. These days, you’ll find me in my sunny studio playing with color. I paint with...

Tammy Gilley, Artist I love what Monet said: “Color is my day-long obsession, joy, and torment.” Happily, days playing with color in my studio are more joyful than tormenting, but there is definitely an obsession. Oh yes. I’m one of those people with with so many passions, it’s impossible for me to pick just one. It’s allowed me opportunities to do a lot of different things in my life: study in France, work in special events at our local flagship department store, orchestrate the holiday parade in downtown Portland and meet The-Big-Guy-in-the-Red-Suit-Himself (oh yes, Virginia, he does exist), be a massage therapist, participate in a television commercial (actually did this twice - most fun ever!), become the Director of Sales and Marketing for a small publisher, write copy for radio advertising, and lots, lots more. These days, you’ll find me in my sunny studio playing with color. I paint with acrylics. Or I stitch with silks and wools and vintage cottons. Or I string beads and make funky jewelry. See what I mean? Even settling down into “one” avocation, I still have many areas of interest. Keeps life exciting, I tell ya! At Oregon State University, I was a Liberal Arts major - perfect place for me to be! I studied French, sociology, communications, and history. Not one art class. Can you believe it? Although I have been artsy all my life, I have never formally studied art. Everything I know about art, I picked up along the way. My mother taught me how important living a creative life is. We did a lot of crafty things together. My father taught me to appreciate the beauty in life. And the rest of it I’ve learned in art galleries, at The Louvre, in big and beautiful art books, and by just picking up the paints and putting them to the paper. Or thread to the fabric. Or beads on a string. You get the picture. My circuitous life couldn’t have prepared me better for the art-full life I lead today. I am so grateful for all of it. 21 Other Things You Might Like Knowing About Me: My favorite color is red. And pink. And turquoise. And lime. And orange. I dream about living in a Paris apartment. I dream about this a lot. I have the space so completely detailed in my mind, I’m practically living there already. I have been with the one and only love of my life, Cindy, for more than 20 years (we met when I was six). I thank my lucky stars everyday for her presence in my life. We have one fur-person, Kip, a white ball of fluff on four legs. I’ve been called bossy. This is incorrect. I see it more as being helpful. “Bossy” suggests I’m being mean, and I really don’t have a mean bone in my body. I was born in the San Francisco bay area. SF is still one of my favorite cities in the world. We also lived in Colorado for a number of years. I don’t think there is any cleaner air anywhere. I have one sister and one brother. Both younger than me. They are two of my favorite people on the planet. I miss my mom and dad every single day. I love to cook for people. I hate to cook just for myself. I love to get presents. I do. So sue me. I also love to give presents. I do. I rarely leave the house without lipstick. I may not have had a shower, but I’ve got lipstick on. I hate to clean. H-A-T-E. However, I do love an organizing project. I love my garden. It’s the perfect size (small) and has all of my favorite things in it. It’s my favorite place to be in the summer. I love to put my face in the sun and have a cold beer. I am well aware that I am a titch sensitive. I feel (and express) my joy and my sorrow and my frustration in very real and unmistakable ways. Thanks for understanding. I know that one day I am going to do something big...I feel it brewing inside me. I still rock to 80’s music. I have been known to read as many as four books on a weeklong vacation, and still be social and do some sightseeing. I love a road trip. I fantasize about an old round-y pick-up truck that we refurbish and paint cherry red that pulls behind it a vintage Airstream, which has been Tammy-fied and foxed up. I feel most peaceful at the beach. One day I will have a house there. I am so thankful each and every day for the talents and passions that I continue to discover, and for finding the friends and for my family who lift me up and encourage me along my journey. I am such a lucky girl.