Today we’d like to introduce you to Tamara Gutierrez.
Hi Tamara, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Born in The Big Easy, raised in the Sunshine State & Southern California, I began threading creativity into my life at the age of six, when sewing opened the door. Music flooded into my life when I picked up the viola at the age of eleven. I graduated from the Los Angeles County High School for the Arts in 1998, studying classical music through the viola.
I performed with the Claremont Young Musicians Orchestra (CYMO) as well as the orchestras of the high schools that I attended (I attend three high schools in total & that’s a different story for a different time). I continued my classical music education at Florida International University in Miami, FL where I composed electronic music, as well as performed classical symphonies from many great composers, compositions from fellow students & New Music composers with FIU’s orchestras. During my time at FIU, I studied viola performance while working in the Theatre department as the Assistant to the Costume Designer, which was my first job. I would perform numerous concerts with FIU’s orchestra & then run next door to work at the costume shop, altering & building costumes for FIU’s Theatre Department. Fashion design came at an opportune time in 2002, when I attended the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising in Los Angeles, CA. My design skills range from alterations, designs to denim repair, distressing and fabrication. I am currently in the “Skilled Craft” department of Costumes at Universal Studios Hollywood; constructing, altering, & distressing costumes for the Theme Park and their marquee events of Halloween Horror Nights & Grinchmas. I am in the 768 Union, Theatrical Wardrobe, for Theme Parks. In my downtime, I enjoy photography, Photoshop & now during this year of quarantine, music compositions that are still in the early stages.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
My journey has not been a smooth road. Being a creative individual poses many obstacles and the struggles have always been there since I chose a path of artisty. Some struggles include low paying jobs, lack of credit from some gigs, & lack of support from family members, who don’t understand a creative individual’s life & their lifestyle for that matter. People also seem to not understand that I have many areas where I am creative; music, costumes, painting, photography….etc…. But at the end of the day, I will always be 100% artistic. That makes me who I am & my talents bring me happiness.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
My portfolio can be viewed here: www.tamaravanessa.us. I’m a classically trained violist. I specialize in Costume Fabrication, and from my observation, I’m known for my speed & accuracy in costume building.
We’d love to hear about how you think about risk taking?
Sometimes risk-taking may not really be up to the individual’s personal choice. I feel as though the way our society is, I’ve been in positions where I’ve had to take a gamble & jump; maybe leave a job with nothing lined up or take a low paying job for connections & experience, to have the outcome not be what I thought it would be. I have no issues taking risks, but being pushed between a rock & hard place seems to be a recipe for disaster, maybe taking a job out of desperation and it has nothing to do with any of your skills… It’s just job to pay the bills, and these jobs can eat away at a creative’s soul & their daily happiness.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.TamaraVanessa.com
- Instagram: tamaravanessa.us
Image Credits
Photos taken by me; except last photo of myself & Hedda Who-per at Universal Studios Hollywood where they take photos for employees & guests of the characters for them.
