I recommend my friend Tamm

My good friend Tamm Whitty is applying to the 2011 Kresge Artist Fellowships - Visual Arts at Kresge Arts in Detroit - College for Creative Studies and has asked me to provide a recommendation. Tamm is a wonderful friend and artist, so I happily obliged. I post text of the recommendation below so that others might learn of Tamm's greatness.

Kresge Artist Fellowships

Dear Sirs,

In my line of work, I've made a study of change. Some embrace it. Many fear it or perhaps more correctly, they fear the loss that accompanies change. One must let go one rung in order to reach another.  

Tamm Whitty is one of the fortunate few that thrive on change. My favorite people. Always learning and exploring, growing and morphing.

When one studies Tamm and her approach to art, one finds the embodiment of change. When she starts with a blank canvas, the end isn't known in advance. She begins anywhere, confident that the way forward will emerge when pen strikes paper. Her mandalas take on a life of their own as they wander across the page.

Her art is perhaps purposely incomplete, asking the viewer to complete the picture in their mind informed by the pattern set forth in front of them. In this way it engages the viewer, calling them to add their voice to the choir of shape and color.

I've had the pleasure of Tamm's company for the past 7 years, watched and marveled at the evolution of her work. Approachable and rich, her work can appear child-like and then, upon closer inspection reveal multiple layers, each one adding information and nuance. A gel pen for Tamm is her magic wand that she uses to make art of wonder and whimsy.  I'm especially fond of her use of words as background to a visual work.

I would like to recommend Tamm as a person and an artist. Having hosted and attended Tamm's art openings, I have witnessed how her work moves and inspires others. Her work is more than appreciated -- it is almost universally loved.

Please fund her. I can't wait to see what's next to emerge from this creative powerhouse.

Kind regards,

Tom Woodman

To view images of her work, visit her Facebook gallery.