Photo Courtesy of PeaceworkArt.com
Tamera Longsderff leads a double life. Besides working as the assistant director of Learning Services, Longsderff is an accomplished painter with her own business–PeaceworkArt.
It was through her college education—Longsderff has an art education degree from Kutztown University—that she discovered her love of painting.
She specifically began painting dogs four years ago when she completed a portrait for a friend who had recently lost her pet. In addition, Longsderff’s husband Don has a pet sitting, walking and care business called Wagging the Dog Pet Services.
Longsderff began designing cards to thank customers, and her business evolved from there. She accepts commissions for pet portraits, creating them in acrylic on canvas from photos.
As a dog lover herself, with two rescue dogs, a 15-year-old Australian Cattle dog named Sadie, and a 7-year-old Labrador and coonhound mix named Abby, Longsderff doesn’t just paint other people’s pets.
The artist said she finds the “energy” of her paintings in the eyes, so she prefers to start her projects from photos in which the eyes are clearly visible and prominent. She spends the weekend sketching until she feels the “bones are good.” Then, she lets the sketch “sit” so she can return with fresh eyes. Longsderff’s husband, a woodcarver, has a good eye for proper dimensions, so she often seeks his advice. Once she is satisfied with the sketch, she begins to paint. This process averages 30 hours, though some go quicker or slower depending on the subject.
“I can’t imagine not painting.”
Upon completing a portrait, Longsderff makes prints to sell. She also produces notecards, blank cards and an annual calendar. Longsderff also paints family portraits and artwork of miscellaneous subjects as custom decorations for homes. She also paints anything from “small decorative touches” to murals. Overall, she creates approximately eight to 15 works a year in addition to offering workshops and individual painting lessons.
Longsderff said she does not mind the time commitment. “I can’t imagine not painting,” she said, insisting that her double-life is not unique. One merely has to look around to observe a vast number of interests and hobbies, she said.
“There are lots of people on this campus with all kinds of hidden talents.”
For more information, visit PeaceworkArt, call 717-492-9395 or email peaceworkart@yahoo.com.
This was such a great story, Gwen! I LOVE finding out about what people do outside of their day jobs on campus!