Interview

Written By Editorial Team

Tara Stower

Tara Stower is a contemporary artist originally from New Zealand, now based in Sunrise Beach, Noosa, Australia. Self-taught and deeply connected to the natural world, Tara’s journey began in childhood painting the waterfall outside her family home - a quiet calling that returned in her late twenties when she rediscovered her passion for painting. Working across oil, acrylic, watercolour, pastel, and ink, Tara’s paintings balance contemporary abstraction with fine, intricate depictions of nature. Birds, blossoms, sky, and light appear throughout her work, offering viewers moments of beauty and calm.

After ten years living in remote Queensland’s Balonne Shire - where she opened her first gallery and taught children’s art classes - Tara now creates from her private studio in Noosa, built alongside her husband. Her studio is filled with natural collections - leaves, gum nuts, branches, butterflies, crystals, old found objects, and photographs of birds and nature - all of which inspire her compositions and creative process. Influenced by the old masters - Van Gogh, Klimt, Monet - and the late Richard Schmid’s dedication to sharing knowledge, Tara believes in supporting other artists and passing on what she’s learned. She is currently listed with Studio One Noosa and will exhibit in their upcoming Into the Woods exhibition this August. Her studio will also be open to the public for Noosa Open Studios - Queensland’s largest art trail - in October 2025. Through her work, Tara invites viewers to slow down, reconnect with nature, and find quiet moments of reflection.

 

What is your background and how did you start your journey in the art world?

“I’m originally from New Zealand and now live and work in Sunrise Beach, Noosa. My journey with art began in childhood - I found so much peace painting the waterfall near my family home. That early connection to nature stayed with me for years, quietly waiting as life unfolded. At 28, I shared with my husband that I dreamed of becoming an artist. He built me my first easel, and not long after - pregnant with our first child - I joined a small local class and painted my first picture. That moment changed everything for me. I’m self-taught and have spent years exploring different mediums - watercolour, pastel, acrylic, charcoal, pen and ink, and oil. I spent a decade living in a remote part of Queensland’s Balonne Shire, where I painted daily, opened a small gallery, taught children’s classes, and held my first exhibition. After relocating to Noosa, my husband and I built my own private studio, and I have since recommenced my work with a renewed focus and dedication. From this peaceful space by the sea, I continue to create art that celebrates the quiet beauty and balance found in the natural world.”

What inspires you?

“Nature is my greatest source of inspiration. I’m endlessly drawn to the quiet details - the tilt of a bird’s wing, the softness of unfolding petals, the way light dances on water. These moments remind me of balance and beauty, and I feel compelled to honour them through my work. I also find deep inspiration in the old masters - their patience, dedication, and techniques continue to guide how I approach my own practice. Ultimately, my inspiration comes from a desire to share what I see and feel - to offer others a gentle pause and a reminder of the stillness and wonder that surrounds us, if we only take a moment to look.”

What themes do you pursue? Is there an underlying message in your work?

“My work consistently returns to themes of nature, stillness, and balance. I’m drawn to the quiet beauty in birds, blossoms, landscapes, the ocean, and the ever-changing sky - all gentle reminders of how connected we are to the natural world. An underlying message in my work is an invitation to pause and notice the details we often overlook - a tilt of light, the softness of a flower, the fleeting grace of a bird in flight. Through my paintings, I hope to create a moment of calm for the viewer, a quiet space that encourages a deeper connection with nature and a sense of peace within themselves.”

How would you describe your work?

“I would describe my work as contemporary and nature-inspired, with a balance of abstract softness and fine, intricate detail. Each piece explores the quiet beauty found in the natural world - from subtle washes of colour and light to carefully rendered depictions of birds, blossoms, and the natural world. I often work in oils but use a range of mediums to achieve the atmosphere and texture I’m seeking. My paintings move between gentle abstraction and detailed realism, creating a sense of stillness and connection for the viewer. At its heart, my work invites people to pause - to notice delicate moments in nature and feel the calm and balance they offer.”

Which artists influence you most?

“I draw inspiration from many artists. I’ve always felt connected to the old masters - Van Gogh, Gustav Klimt, and Monet - for their sensitivity to light, colour, and the natural world. More closely, the late Richard Schmid has had a profound influence on me. His mastery, his generosity in sharing his knowledge, and his dedication to traditional techniques continue to guide my own practice. Alan M Hunt’s remarkable wildlife art and fine detail also inspire me greatly. Beyond well-known names, I’m deeply inspired by the artists around me - those who quietly practice their craft with dedication, refining their own skills, techniques, and styles true to themselves. Their passion and commitment remind me why I paint and motivate me to keep evolving.”

“My work consistently returns to themes of nature, stillness, and balance. I’m drawn to the quiet beauty in birds, blossoms, landscapes, the ocean, and the ever-changing sky - all gentle reminders of how connected we are to the natural world.”

What is your creative process like?

“My creative process is intuitive but also deeply thoughtful. It begins long before I pick up a brush - often in the quiet moments when I’m observing nature or sitting in my studio surrounded by my collections. My studio is filled with treasures: leaves, rocks and coral from the beach, raw branches, gum nuts, feathers, butterflies, flowers, crystals, and old antique or silver finds from thrift stores. These objects inspire me daily - they remind me to notice the small, beautiful details in the world around me. I can spend hours - sometimes even late into the night - thinking about a subject or composition for my next piece. For me, the planning phase takes just as much energy and presence as the act of painting itself. When I do begin, I like to work in layers, building depth and atmosphere slowly. I allow each piece to evolve naturally, moving between subtle abstraction and fine detail. At its heart, my process is about observation, patience, and creating an honest response to the quiet beauty I see and feel.”

What is an artist’s role in society and how do you see that evolving?

“I believe an artist’s role is to observe, interpret, and remind people of what can so easily be overlooked - beauty, connection, and moments of stillness. Artists hold space for reflection and offer new ways of seeing the world and ourselves. For me, being an artist is also about supporting other artists, no matter their medium or stage. Art can be a powerful form of therapy - it’s not just about creating but about the healing and growth that happens along the way. Because art can be a solitary path, I think it’s vital to connect and share what we know. Other artists have generously shared their skills and knowledge with me, and I feel it’s my role to pass that on. As the world evolves, so too does our role - artists will always be storytellers, quiet activists, and connectors, reminding us to slow down, notice, and care for ourselves, each other, and the world we share.”

Have you had any noteworthy exhibitions you'd like to share?

“I’ve had the privilege of exhibiting my work in a variety of settings over the years - from my first solo exhibition in my own small gallery in Queensland’s Balonne Shire to local community shows and teaching children’s art classes alongside my practice. I’m also an artist listed with Studio One Noosa and I’m excited to be part of their upcoming exhibition Into the Woods this August. Later this year, I’ll be taking part in Noosa Open Studios - Queensland’s largest art trail - where my own private studio will be open to the public from October 10–19, 2025.”

 
Editorial Team
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