Tami Showers art on display at courthouse

“I was born an artist. I give thanks to God for my creative talents,” said Tami Showers.
Through February, Showers’ paintings, stained glass, weavings and heart rock art are displayed at the Custer County Courthouse Art Gallery.
Showers and husband Bill traveled from northern Colorado to sightsee and explore the Back Hills over six and a half years ago.  Like many visitors to the area, “we fell in love with the Southern Hills,” she said.
Following an intensive four-year search for property in the area and with the help of realtor Faith Lewis, they arrived permanently in Custer in August 2019.  They opened the Sunset RV Park (Sunset Lane), located off Hwy. 385 just north of the airport. Showers handles reservations and hospitality for the popular RV Park, geared for adults and seniors.
“God put all the right pieces together in His time and we leaped at the opportunity when it felt right,” she said. “Every day we are so absolutely grateful to be here!”
With her marriage, Showers made a full-time commitment to her art.
“It’s not easy to make a career in art a full-time gig, but with the help and encouragement of my sweet husband, I was finally able to do a lot more to make that passion a reality,” Showers said. “As a result, we are both able to do what we love and love what we do because we collaborate and strive to live within our means.”
Initially, she studied Architecture in college.  However, “[I] quickly changed after I realized my passion was not for the type of precision required to draw buildings,” Showers said. She has a degree in graphic design from the University of Arizona.
She thrives on the freedom of an artist.
“In hindsight, I’m certain I would not have enjoyed architecture and contributing to the development of bigger and bigger and bigger communities,” she said. “Urban sprawl” was one of the main reasons the couple left Colorado.
“I am a small town girl at heart and enjoy a simple lifestyle.  A lot like what I remember experiencing back in the days when I spent quality time with my sweet grandparents,” she said.
Her parents always encouraged her creative efforts. Showers creates what is visually exciting to her.
“I’ve taught myself by exploring with different media over the years, starting with crayons, pencils, and watercolors,” she said.  
She has added charcoal, fibers, stained glass, metals, cut paper, and woodworking.
“I will admit, though, that too many interests can be a real problem for me.  One of my long term goals is finishing projects I’ve started before beginning another something ‘new,’” she said.
She describes her studio as a “mishmash of spots on our property.” But, she says, “I have my stained glass workshop set up in the garage. I typically paint in the office or family room of our home.  I find inspiration outside among our hundred or so Ponderosa pines — also a place where I enjoy painting and pondering.”
When asked to elaborate on a few pieces in the exhibition, she chose “Tree Hugger” and “She danced with Fire.”
“Tree Hugger” evolved from a walkabout. Stuck in the doldrums of the daily sales routine, she took a walk around their property.  
“I got immersed in the tall trees and absorbed in the colors of the brilliant moss on the old layers of bark,” she said. “After snapping a close-up photo with my iPhone, I decided to abstractly recreate what I was seeing with acrylic paint. ‘Tree Hugger’ is the result.”
Another of her favorite works, ‘She danced with fire,’ is inspired by a deeply personal connection with her Colorado salon stylist and good friend, Meg.  
“[Meg] was a fabulous artist with hair, she also had an interesting hobby dancing with fire on the lake next to her salon in Loveland. Meg was going to style my hair for my wedding day when I received the phone call from her business partner that Meg needed to cancel an appointment that was still more than five months away,” she said.
“My heart sank. My friend Meg, mother of three littles under 10, an artist herself, a confident swimmer, and a beloved young lady all of 28 years old had taken her own life on Nov. 1, 2012, - Dia De Los Muertos.
“As I was growing my business in the summer of 2013 and busy creating paintings, I was inspired to work through my lingering grief by recognizing Meg through the therapeutic creation of She danced with fire.  I think of all the potential she had and am saddened by her suicide.
“I hang this piece of art in her memory and am hopeful it will create conversation around suicide and perhaps help to prevent someone else from choosing that way out.  I miss you, Meg!”
Showers is known locally for bringing an art studio to the public via her Cruisin’ Canvas business (thecruisincanvas.com).  The host provides the guests, location and edibles and Showers offers art supplies and instruction.  Everyone has fun and takes home a painting. She has also taken the creative experience to senior citizens.
“I am passionate about painting with seniors, and for many years, I’ve taught classes at assisted living facilities and senior centers.  What a joy!  For my students and for me,” she said. 

But, then, coming to Custer during the COVID-19 pandemic she encountered shuttered assisted living facilities and senior centers.      
“I sure miss painting with ‘my seniors’ because the activity brought so much opportunity for fellowship and creative growth to those communities,” she said. “My mission is to get those postponed paint parties scheduled again and build a legacy through creating memorable painting experiences for and with seniors in the Black Hills. This is always time well spent!”
For aspiring artists, Showers has some guidance.
“Try doing something creative, anything. Believe in yourself and go for it!  Get involved in your local community arts happenings,” she said.
Showers is a Board Member with the Custer Area Arts Counci. She trusts that making an effort to plug in and intentionally be involved is key to creative development and growth.  
“Creativity is always rewarding and so good for the soul. So, find somebody to hobby with.  A lot of people don’t think they can do something because they aren’t creative enough.  That’s no excuse, try recreating something giving it your own personal flare,” she said.  
Showers is the first to admit she is pretty good at re-creating.
“Use your creative license and experiment! If nothing else, you’ll have fun discovering your own creative potential,” she said. “Ideally, you’ll discover a new talent and/or have a new hobby.”
Showers’ many whimsical pieces are displayed at Custer County Courthouse Art Gallery, second floor, through Feb. 28.
In addition, a reception for the artist will be held at the Courthouse, in the second floor Gallery Feb. 3, from 3-5 p.m. She encourages everyone with a curiosity for creativity to attend and be inspired.