Tamara’s illustration journey began at Dawson College where she earned her associates degree in Illustration and Design. Shortly after, she furthered her studies at Sheridan College, where she attained her Illustration Bachelor’s degree with honours.

Tamara works digitally to bring stories to life through her painterly illustrations. Her work has a strong sense of lighting and vibrant colour palettes, along with dynamic compositions. She loves creating endearing characters with a strong sense of personality and emotions. Her work is inspired by wildlife, children, and the environments they reside in. She uses this inspiration to add a layer of realism to her illustrations.

When she’s not at her desk, she can be found breaking a sweat at the local gym or exploring nature with her standard poodle, Peanut.

Clients

• Cadet Quest Magazine

• Chirp magazine

• Chickadee magazine

• Dinardo Design

• Cricket Media

• Face to Face Games Toronto

• Heinemann Publishing

• Hemma (Langue aux Chat)

• Inhabit Education

• Inhabit Media

• Pajama Press

• Kayak Children’s magazine

  Books

  Published

• The Muskox and the caribou by Nadia Mike (2018) , Inhabit Media

• Mon Guide Nature (2018), Langue aux Chat (Hemma)

• Bloody Bones, A tale from Great Britain, adapted by Bobbi Miller 2018, Heinemann Publishing

• Oh No! Reindeer Flu! 2018 by Valerie L. Egar, Whistle Oak

• The Secret of Santa's Naughty-Nice List by Pat Hall (2018), Book Bridge Press

• In the Sky at Nighttime by Laura Deal (2019), Inhabit Media

• Clam Digging with Grandma (Fall, 2020) , Inhabit Education

• The Girl Who Danced with Giants by Shawna Thomson (Fall, 2020) , Inhabit Education

• Cubs, Kits, and Calves an Arctic Summer by Suzie Napayok (Spring, 2020), Inhabit Media

• A World of Mindfulness by Editors and Illustrators of Pajama Press ( Fall 2020), Pajama Press

• Grandfather Bowhead Tell Me a Story by Aviaq Johnston (Canada-September USA-April, 2021), Inhabit Media

• Hello Dark, by Wai Mei Wong (Fall 2021), Pajama Press

• Out Mouse! by Valerie L. Egar (May 2021), Whistle Oak

• Tanna Lemming, (Tanna, 2) (June 7, 2022) by Rachel Qitsualik-Tinsley (Author), Sean Qitsualik-Tinsley (Author) , Inhabit Media

• The Adventures of Clive & Sydney The Dancing Armadillos, by Mallory J, Stevens (2022), Indepandent Publishing.

• Maakusie Loves Music by Jaaji and Chelsey June, Inhabit Education inc. (Summer. 2023)

• We love you as much as a Fox Loves his Tail by Masiana kelly, (Fall 2023), Inhabit Media

• The Girl Who Swam with Takannakaffaaluk, (Fall, 2023), Inhabit Education inc.

  Soon to be published

• Runaway Elf, by Valerie L. Egar, (Fall 2023) Whistle Oak

• With a Flicker Here, and a Flicker There, by Melissa Zilbert, (2022) Independant Publishing.

• Santa and Garnet by Valerie L. Egar, (Fall 2024) Whistle Oak

• Awards / Recognition

• We Love You as Much as the Fox Loves his Tail, included in the 10 finalists for the 2024 Elizabeth Mrazik-Cleaver Canadian Picture Book Award!

• Grandfather Bowhead, Tell me a story included in 25 titles selected for the 2023 edition of From Sea to Sea : Celebrating Indigenous Picture Books, By IBBY Canada

• 2022 Hollywood Book Festival, Honourable mention, The Adventures of Clive & Sydney The Dancing Armadillos

• 2022 CCBC Spring Best Books for Kids & Teens Selection ( Hello,Dark )

• Hello, Dark shortlisted for the 2022 IODE Jean Throop Book Award

• Kits, Cubs, and Calves: An Arctic Summer shortlisted for the Children’s and Young Adult/Adult Selected Titles for the 2021-2022 PMC Indigenous Literature Award

• Kits, Cubs and Calves, an Arctic Summer included in 25 titles selected for the 2021 edition of From Sea to Sea : Celebrating Indigenous Picture Books, By IBBY Canada

• Best of 2020 Picture Books, under the animal category, Cubs, Kits and Calves and Arctic summer. Judged by Bookstagang Team.

• 2020 CBC Books, 11 Canadian poetry books for kids to read during National Poetry Month (In the Sky at Nighttime)

• 2019 Silver Medallist, Independent Publisher Book Award for Holiday ( The Secret of Santa's Naughty-Nice List )

• 2019 First Place under Holiday Category, Purple Dragonfly Book Award ( The Secret of Santa's Naughty-Nice List )

• *2019 Kirkus Starred Review ( In the Sky at Nighttime )

• 2019 Book Riot, 50 Must-Read Picture Books to Transport You to Another Place ( In the sky at nighttime included with a star )

• 2019 “Coup de Coeur” for Mon Guide Nature, from Renaud-Bray Book Store

• 2017 Applied Arts, Student Category, Photography & Illustration Awards

Social Media

• Behance

• Etsy

• Facebook

• Instagram

• Reedsy