Smoke Rise Artist Launches Two Atlanta Shows

Our Town DeKalb Staff

Smoke Rise resident and artist Tamara Carnegie will exhibit her work this summer at two Atlanta venues: margarita bar and taqueria Guac y Margys on the Beltline in Midtown and Maker’s Market around Atlantic Green at Atlantic Station.

Carnegie is a “fluid artist,” using acrylic paints and paint additives to bring her creations to life on canvas. She paints under the name “Agape Flowing.” “’Agape’ is the Greek word for love,” said Carnegie. “My life, faith and experiences create a clear pathway for all of my art to develop, flow and come to life.”

Carnegie grew up in Jamaica, where her parents incorporated hands-on art projects into the homeschool curriculum. From an early age, she dreamed of being an artist but “believed the lie that only dead artists generate money from their work.” In her teens, Carnegie decided to pursue seriously her artistic vision, and began to study techniques and art history. She graduated in 2003 with the highest marks from Northbrook Church of England Secondary School in London with the plan to become a professional artist. When she moved to America, her plans for an art career stalled as she acclimated to a new country and new culture and took a corporate job in order to support herself. She continued to paint in her spare time, doing the occasional paid commission and projects for her church. In April 2020, COVID and the resulting lockdowns nudged her to leave the corporate world to fully embrace

a career as a professional artist.

“From a young age I wanted to ‘change the art world’ but what I actually meant was I wanted to add positive and happy parts of our human existence on earth,” explained Carnegie. “I think there are gaps in art that some artists fill with sadness, anger, death and dark art. I love color. I have experienced the splendor of what God created for us to enjoy in the world and all the beauty of life in nature…and what I see in nature I try to interpret into my art in the most vibrant colorful way.”

Fifteen pieces of Carnegie’s work is on display at Guac y Margys until February 2022. Her work will be displayed at Maker’s Market one weekend a month starting on July 10 and running through the rest of the year. Times and days vary for each venue; check schedules on agapeflowing.com. Pieces on display are available for purchase, as well as those on her website.