ABOUT
TAMASINE MCNABB
Danish artist based in Haarlem, the Netherlands.
b. 1989
A practice rooted in heart and soul
I am originally from Denmark. My name is Japanese. It translates to heart and soul — and that’s honestly how I approach everything I make. From the heart.
Growing up near the sea shaped me in ways I’m still discovering. The water, the shifting light, the weathered textures. That balance between rough and smooth, dark and light, stillness and movement. Everything both grounded and infinite at the same time.
My work draws from two worlds: Scandinavian and Japanese. Both celebrate quiet beauty. Natural materials. Craftsmanship. The idea that something doesn’t need to be polished to be meaningful.
In Denmark, people grow up around art. They collect slowly. They choose pieces for how they make a space feel, not how they impress. I think that’s why I make the way I do. I want my work to live in someone’s home the way art lived in mine.
The inspiration behind the work
Inspiration comes from everywhere. Something I notice while I’m out, something I’ve read, a personal experience. But nature always pulls me back. The water. The shifting foliage. The same tones I remember and grew up with on the Danish coast.
I am a dreamer. Art is a place for me to get completely lost in my thoughts, to lose myself in my imagination, and where moments of my life settle into form.
Materials & process
I trained as an Interior Designer, so I’ve always thought about how materials work together. That’s probably why I gravitate toward mixed media. I like combining textures, layering things that wouldn’t obviously belong together until they do. I usually start with loose sketches. Then I build the work through layers of texture. And finally I bring it together with acrylic paint, until the piece feels in balance.
Beauty in imperfection
I’m not trying to make something perfect. In Japanese there’s wabi-sabi. Finding beauty in the imperfect, the worn, the incomplete. A slightly uneven line. A raw edge. A texture that didn’t go exactly as planned. Those are the things that make a piece human. There’s freedom in that. It becomes less about achieving an ideal and more about responding to what’s unfolding in the moment. Like the sea. Never the same twice.
How I want my work to feel
I want my pieces to complete a space, not just hang in it. Something you fall in love with and keep. Timeless, not forced. That’s the Interior Designer in me, I suppose.
How do I know when a piece is done? It’s just a feeling. And when I start overthinking it, that’s usually the sign to put the brushes down.
When someone stands in front of my work for the first time, I want them to feel connected. Intrigued. Maybe a little speechless. I want my work to evoke a sense of calm, inviting people to slow down, feel a quiet warmth and just… be present in the moment.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
To purchase an artwork, please email me at info@artbytamasine.com. A painting is sold or reserved once payment is received. To purchase an artwork via a third party representative, please contact the representative directly for more information.
Yes absolutely! Please click on ‘commissions’ in the menu above for more information or get in touch at info@artbytamasine.com to discuss your ideas and we can work together to create a unique piece of art that meets your specific needs.
Payment is due at the time of the invoice in order to proceed to the next stage of the commission or delivery process. Failure to pay within 30 days of invoice will result in forfeiture of the sale and rights to the painting.
Discounts are rare because margins are already tight. Every piece carries more than material costs – it’s years of practice, thousands of hours, and the risk of putting your work into the world with no guarantee it’ll be received. If an artist looks like they’re thriving, remember they earned that through years of hard work, and their prices reflect it. If I do, however, decide to discount work, I will communicate this via e-mail and social media so make sure to follow me and sign up to my newsletter at the bottom of the page.
Yes, this is a regular component of my practice. I thoroughly enjoy collaborating on projects and pride myself on turnaround times, flexibility, quality of product and a personalized experience that is shown and felt by every client.
Yes, I am always open to discussing new partnerships.
Yes I am open to this. Generally the frame has been specifically chosen to compliment the artwork. Before changing the frame, I want to ensure there is clear intention behind any change so it works harmoniously within the interior and doesn’t unintentionally compete with or detract from the piece.
While my artworks are not officially acoustic panels, I do work with textiles and textured surfaces which means they do absorb sound. I have made artworks with an additional acoustic layer behind the artwork to enhance the acoustic values. I often get the compliment from customers that my work unintentionally has contributed to the acoustics of the room.
I take great care in packaging and shipping my artwork to ensure it arrives safely and in perfect condition. I use a combination of foam corners, foam wrap and other protective materials as well as boxes and professionally built crates to ensure your painting arrives intact. For deliveries within the Netherlands, I typically use a local courier who is experienced in transporting fine art. They will provide you with an arrival time once your painting has been picked up. For international shipments we work with various freight companies. Insurance is available and encouraged for all shipments. All shipping costs and liability for damage to a painting during the shipping process is assumed by the buyer.
I do not accept any returns or refunds of artwork, however I do want you to be completely satisfied with your purchase. If for any reason you are not satisfied, please contact me within 2 weeks of receipt to discuss the possibilities. Commission projects are exempt from this. All shipping fees are the responsibility of the buyer.
If your painting is damaged, it is best to take it to a professional art conservator as soon as possible. They can assess the damage and provide you with options for repair and restoration. It is important not to attempt any repairs yourself, as this could potentially cause further damage to the painting. Additionally, it is important to keep the painting in a stable environment, avoiding exposure to extreme temperatures, humidity, or direct sunlight, as these can further damage the painting.
Yes you are more than welcome! Visits to my atelier are by appointment only so please get in touch with me to plan your visit. Occassionally I have open studio days. I will communicate this via e-mail and social media so make sure to follow me and sign up to my newsletter at the bottom of the page to stay updated.
No I don’t. However, in certain cases where a client is uncertain about a purchase or finding it difficult to visualise it in their home, I may offer a short-term loan of the artwork for a maximum period of one week, subject to a refundable deposit.
I am open to this, please contact me to discuss further.
I do not. However, all original paintings are subject to the potential of scanning, reproduction and subsequent sales. All intellectual property is retained by the artist. Should you be interested in a collaboration, please get in touch.
COPYRIGHT STATEMENT
Tamasine McNabb retains all of the copyrights to all artwork and intellectual property on this site.
The use of Tamasine’s images is not permitted for commercial purposes without proper and prior permission from Tamasine McNabb.
Thank you for your support and interest in my work!
