Tara T. Bryan
October 14, 1953 to September 29, 2020
Obituary
To view the online service from the Carnell Memorial Chapel for the late Tara T. Bryan on Thursday October 8th, 2020 at 2:00 pm please click on the link below:
https://www.oneroomstreaming.com/view/authorise.php?k=160167196879526
Tara T Bryan was born in Cuero, Texas on October 14, 1953 to Marilyn Jean (Brantley) and Andrew Jackson Tidwell. She passed away peacefully on September 29, 2020.
An award-winning book artist, painter, and teacher, she influenced many in the painting and book arts community in Newfoundland and across North America. Her honors include being elected into Royal Canadian Academy of the Arts for Book Design (2012), the Alcuin Award for Book Design (2018), and the 2010 Long Haul Award (VANL). “Aftermath (cracking up)”, one of her iconic iceberg paintings, was selected as the image for permanent placement on the exterior facade of the St. John’s Convention Center.
She collaborated with artists and writers in the Province and across North America including Di Dabinett, Luben Boykov, Elena Popova, Kevin Major, Anne Meredith Barry, and many others. Her work was included in many exhibitions across Canada, the USA, and abroad.
Tara’s volunteer and community work included being on the boards of Eastern Edge Gallery, VANL-CARFAC, and the Arts & Letters Committee for the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador. A mentor to many, she generously shared her knowledge and her incomparable skills in book design and painting to many artists, and school children through the ArtsSmarts program, the Anna Templeton Centre, private classes, and innumerable workshops at St. Michael’s Printshop. She was always willing to share her knowledge generously to help artists or book makers move forward with their work.
In the last few years, she spent a lot of time in Wesleyville where she bought her little red house and spent time working with fellow artists, teaching, and mentoring others, and walking on the beach with her dogs.
She is survived by her husband, George Jenner, sister, Teresa Tidwell (Catherine) of Maryland, and brother, Terran Tidwell (Janis) of Oklahoma, and good friends too many to count. She will be dearly missed by all.
A service of remembrance will be held on Thursday, October 8th, 2020 at 2:00 p.m. from the Carnell Memorial Chapel and is by invitation only as in accordance to COVID 19 regulations. For those unable to attend the service, you are able to view the service via live streaming by following the link above.
Instead of flowers, please consider a donation to one of Tara’s favorite organizations: Doctors without Borders, Canadian Guide Dogs for the Blind, Dr H. Bliss Murphy Cancer Care Foundation or the charity of your choice.
So sorry to hear about Tara’s death. Condolences to her family, her partner and to all those who loved her. Tara taught me how to set type and print a page. She introduced me to the book arts. In recent years she sold me a wonderful collection of artists’ books which are now housed with the Special Collection unit of the Queen Elizabeth II Library. Talking with her was alway a treat. I enjoyed her sharp mind and her honesty. Thank you Tara!
I’m so sorry to only now hear of Tara’s passing! My condolences to all her family and friends. I have known Tara for many years and had the pleasure to work with and along side her at St. Michaels. We would always find time to catch up when we bumped into each other.
You’ll be missed nitap’skw! Safe journey!
Love Jerry
I am so deeply saddened at the loss of one of our most cherished fellow artists. Tara radiated enthusiasm and drive in her practice to capture the beauty of our natural environment. She revered traditional materials and techniques. and honored those who went before here in the art and craft of book making. Her iceberg paintings will continue to astound, as will her memory in our hearts. Rest in Peace dear Tara, we will miss you so much.
George, I’ve only found out about the Tara’s passing. I’m speechless and deeply saddened by her death. I can only imagine how you feel; please accept my sincere condolences to you and all of Tara’s family. My thoughts are with you.
Tara was my favourite painting teacher–skilled, passionate and encouraging. I can see her now, standing next to me and telling me to ‘stop’ before I overdid it. She was right, of course! She taught me so much about art, but also about courage, creative risk-taking and confidence. And I will never forget how much she cared about each one of her students and how generously she shared her knowledge. She was a truly unique person–full of love, light and good humour. Oh Tara, you will be missed! My sincere condolences to her family.
Hello George, so sad for your loss of Tara . She is with us in spirit for sure. She was an inspiration to me, as my one and only art teacher. I loved her weekly art sessions as she tried her best to kindle my tiny flame of watercolour ability. She was such a brilliant artist and one of my favourite people.. We’ll all miss her lovely presence but she lives in my heart.
George and Tara’s family. I want to express my sincere condolences on the passing of Tara. Although we never saw each other regularly , I always enjoyed our chats and our many conversations on many many topics. I am sure she enjoyed them too. Rest in Peace Tara and do your paintings in the sky.
So sorry to hear of Tara’s passing . Always enjoyed the chats we had when visited Wesleyville.
George and Teresa, I wanted to tell you how I knew Tara. We met in Oklahoma City, around 1970. Music brought us together through mutual friends at Oklahoma City University. She played an awesome autoharp and we sang rounds and performed at small venues with our friends. I met her parents and Teresa and later visited her when she was at the University of New Mexico. She was a strikingly beautiful and unique individual whom everyone instantly fell in love with. Thank you for being a wonderful loving husband, George, and sister, Teresa. I know she loved you and her dogs and her life so very much. I pray that all that happiness you shared will carry you on now. And Tara, Rest In Peace and fly free and easy., having left the difficult times behind. ❤️
I am so deeply saddened at the loss of Tara. She was a most incredible human and someone one can never forget. She brought happiness into so many lives, with not only her beautiful spirit but in her phenomenal talents. My deepest sympathies and thoughts are with you now. She led a spectacular life. I only wish that I had seen her again To just be in her presence. Sending much love,
Dear George, we are so so sorry for your loss.
Tara was a beautiful human being and I thought very often back to our many visits to your house and the good times we had there with Tara and you and the dogs. I am sure she was a role model to many and she certainly was to me in the way she chose to see the good sides of things and embrace life as it was.
Take good care of yourself. Steve and I are sending you our love.
xxx
Dorrit and Steve
To Tara’s familt…her sisters and George. Although I dont remember meeting you in person, we definatately connected so many times when I tried to connect with Tara for Arts andLetters business by phone. Tara would have been one of the 1 of the first visual artists I met when I was in the position of Coordinator whith the Prov. Arts and Letters committee in 1993 to when I permanently left the position in 2019. Tara worked as an adjudicator, member of the board and eventually our last Chairperson before government disolved the committee. She was an amazing person to go to for advice and guidance during my career. I was always treated with so much care and kindness, it always made me feel in such better space after chatting with her. I just found out this evening of Tara’s passing, and was indeed very saddened. Tara….may you rest in peace and fly high with the angels! I will alway love and respect how much you taught me❤
Regina Best former Coordinator of the Provincial Atrs and Letters Committee
I am so very sorry to hear of Tara’s passing. We didn’t see each other often, but her creative energy, spirit, humour and spunkiness shone out each time we did.
It’s wonderful to read these condolences and have a broader sense of her special contributions to so many people, projects and communities. She will be very missed.
Tara & I met in 1984, when we shared an adjoining wall in an open plan studio that housed 25+ aspiring graduate art students in Madison, Wisconsin. Little did I know this was going to be a life defining experience for both of us. Tara was the older wiser sister I never had but certainly would have wished for, someone who had a fun spirit and wicked sense of humour. I looked on in amazement as Tara effortlessly switched back and forth creating paintings and fantastic & inventive artist’s books. Most astoundingly & nestled between these activities, Tara was also learning Chinese in preparation for her upcoming year in Chongqing, teaching English with her then husband Bob. A stream of adoring language teachers would drop by her studio several times a week to conduct lessons. We all know this Tara, a person of vast interests.
Tara’s talent and generosity would touch many, first with the private school students she taught in New York after graduating & within a few years’ time, she would have a profound & lasting effect on the artistic community in Newfoundland, where she met the love of her life George. I am so grateful to have shared this short but incredibly special time with Tara & have her beautiful work to remember her & her love of place, showing the magic & luminosity of everyday wonders in Newfoundland.
To George, thank you for being there for Tara & in every conceivable way. Moving to Newfoundland to share a life with you was a dream come true for her.
What a great loss. My sincere condolences, George to you and all of Tara’s family.
Jack
Dear George,
Joy and I received the news from Henry. We are so saddened to hear it. Our thoughts are with you.
Simon and Joy
Dear George,
I was so very sorry to learn of Tara’s passing. My heart goes out to you, you are in my thoughts. Sending my sincerest condolences to you.
Michelle
My condolences to George and to Tara’s siblings. Tara leaves a rich legacy of advocacy, activism, and creation in this visual arts community – but I wish she had had time for more. She was a brilliant book designer – I’m lucky to have copies of many of her beautiful, inventive publications..
Dear George,
I am very sorry for your loss.
Martha
George, I’m so sorry to hear of Tara’s passing. Thinking of you,
Jocelyn
I first met Tara when she visited our bookbinding group for a workshop in Saskatchewan a few years ago now. Tara was an excellent teacher and I learned a lot from her. Lots of fond memories of her visit. My condolences to her family.
Tara has and will always be such an immense influence. Tara was my teacher, mentor and, most important of all, a friend. I’ll never forget working side by side with Tara, sipping tea, listening to music, and all the laughter that filled our time together. Tara introduced me to the world of letterpress and bookmaking, and my world has never been the same since. Tara’s creativity, strength, and vivacious energy will be greatly missed by many as she has touched so many lives and inspired so many minds.
My sincere condolences to Tressa, George, and family. Tara’s warmth and generosity will never be forgotten.
Dear George,
I am so very sorry to learn this news. I am surrounded by Tara here in London, having ~20 of her paintings, two of her hand-made books and several other art pieces. Such a talent and such a loss. I can only hope that the very sad times for you will be replaced in time with all of the happy memories.
Fred
Dear George and family.
We were saddened to hear of Tara’s passing and extend our condolences to you all. S
o many lives were enriched by her love and talent.
Carolyn Emerson and Gloria Montano
George
Great memories of you and Tara here in France
Tara was a very talented person
George,
With you in thoughts and heart, in great sorrow for the loss of Tara.
Vyda
George, we were so sorry to hear this news. Our deepest sympathy to you, family and friends.
Henry and Linda
George,
Very sorry to hear about Tara’s passing. Sincere condolences to you and Tara’s family.
Kurt.
George, Teresa and family,
We were deeply saddened to hear of Tara’s passing. Deepest condolences to you and your families. She will be missed.
Don and Sarah Osmond
Mildred Steinhauer
George, Teresa and family
We were deeply saddened to hear of Tara’s passing. Deepest condolences to you and your families. She will be missed.
Don and Sarah Osmond
George, Teresa and family
We were deeply saddened to hear of Tara’s passing. Deepest condolences to you both and to your families. She will be missed.
Don and Sarah Osmond
My deepest condolences to Tara’s family and friends. She was an important and multitalented member of the NL arts community, known for her generosity and advocacy, and she will be greatly missed.
George
Please accept our deepest sympathy at this very difficult time. May the pain of your loss be lessened by your wonderful memories of her.
Jack & Marg
Tara was a dear friend over many years, someone who could tell me what I need to hear especially when I didn’t want to hear it. I loved her art, her family, her clarity. I recall helping her pack up a truck long ago (containing a printing press among other treasures) to make the long trip to Newfoundland — driving alone. I wasn’t sure then that she was making the right choice. She was. Deep gratitude to Teresa and George for the many blessings you bestowed on Tara, especially in her last days. We’ll never forget.
George I am so sorry for the loss of your Tara. I was lucky to get to know her a tiny bit through you, and also through hearing you speak about her so often and with such admiration and evident love. Also sending my thoughts to Tara’s family and friends – I know she was a true and great friend to many people and to many canine persons too. Sending strength and friendship.
George, We are so sorrow for your loss. Please accept our sincere condolences.
Mike and Camilla Tubrett
So sad that we, friends and family, have lost such a bright, vivacious, generous personality . She will be sorely missed especially by those young people she inspired by her love of the arts and life itself. Whoever came in contact with her could not help but be encouraged by her example. Condolences to family and friends.
I am so sorry to hear of Tara’s death. I have fond memories of her, and her beautiful smile, from our time together at tap dancing. My sincerest condolences to those loved ones she leaves behind.
George, Teresa, and family; my sincere condolences to your entire family. Tara touched the lives of many individuals in the Graphics industry. Throughout the years, she inspired many students in the Graphic Communications program with her hand made books and artwork. Tara will be missed.
To George,Teresa and family,
We are very sorry for your loss.
Some people come into our lives,but only true friends
leave footprints in our hearts.
Tara left footprints of love and kindness,wherever she
went..We’re so glad she came into our lives…she will be missed.
Love,
Ollie and Bruce
I’m so sorry for your loss. Sincere condolences to you and your family. Best wishes.
George, I am so very sorry for your loss. Sending sincere condolences to you and all of Tara’s family. Please know you are in our thoughts.
I am so sorry to hear this sad news. My sincere condolences to all Tara’s family and friends. Your loss will be deeply felt by the arts community. May she rest in peace. God bless.
George, I am so sorry to hear this news. My deepest sympathy to you.
My deepest sympathies to her family, husband George, and all who called her friend. We’ll all miss her.
There will be a hole in the world where Tara used to be. I will miss knowing that her sparkling spirit is no longer there on the Rock. Condolences to George and her family in Texas.
I am truly saddened by Tara’s passing. Deepest sympathy to family and friends. As a student in Tara’s Wednesday group, I have many fond memories of her cheerful voice and so appreciated having her thoughtful direction.
I am truly saddened to hear of Tara’s passing. She was a dedicated, curious and perfecting artist., and a wonderful teacher and mentor to the arts community. My sincere condolences to her family at this time.
Tara was a bright light in the arts community, showing the way for so many people. When I first arrived here, Tara was one of the people who took me in, showed me the ropes, and was always there to provide advice and perspective. She will be missed!
A sad loss for me, and for our community. She was a giant spirit with integrity, humour and decency. Thinking of you George.
What such sad news. Tara, thank you your friendship, for reviving my passion for painting at Anna Templeton; for that marvellous painting group you encouraged at the ACC where you gave us all your quiet, positive inspiring comments and advice and where we all shared tea, coffee, home-baked goodies and enjoyed impromptu piano duets featuring you and Joe and the demonstrations of your new tap dancing moves! And for the painting sessions at your Flatrock studio, for the romps with our dogs, for your gentleness, for your smile and for sharing your remarkable talent so generously. I can still hear your words in my ear, so gently said ‘Stop, it’s perfect, don’t forget you have to know when to stop’. Your magnificent icebergs will lead you to where you want to go dear soul.
My sincere condolences to George and family and her many friends. I hope you can find comfort in the knowledge she was so well loved and always will be.
I am so saddened that Tara is no longer with us. She was so wonderful and I feel privileged to have known her. She shared her artistic knowledge so generously. She even taught me and my high school students to make flexigons. Even though I have made them , I still think they’re magic. Tara was magical too. Rest well, Tara.
So very sorry to hear of Tara’s passing. She was a great great woman – a true artist and such a relentlessly generous spirit. She was greatly inspiring to so many of us – for her work and character. A huge loss to family, friends and Newfoundland.
Jodee Richardson
Full of enthusiasm, generosity, intelligence and genuine human warmth, I am so grateful for Tara. Her loss is a tragedy. I offer my heartfelt sympathy to those who were closest to her and specially to her family.
Cathy Driedzic
Although it has been several decades since I saw Tara, I think of her frequently when I look at her painting on my wall. I have many fond memories of our time in Albuquerque playing guitar and violin duets, and of a strange but enriching camping trip. She was such a wonderful spirit, and I can tell from the stories from my sister, from pictures and from her obit that the wonderful spirit I knew in her young adult years never faded.
Sincere condolence to her family and the many others who were inspired by her life.
So sorry to hear of Tara’s passing. Personally, I knew her only slightly, through my former mother in law, Bonnie Leyton, who thought very highly of her but I must say that NL will be poorer without her bright artistic light. Deepest sympathies to her family. Renee Marquis-Antle
Tara’s artistic ability and generous spirit of sharing is her legacy to the world. She will be missed by so many whose lives she touched.
Sincere condolences to George and Tara’s family and wide circle of friends.
Hers was a life well lived. A beautiful soul with many wonderful qualities to share and inspire. My condolences to all.
My deepest sympathies.
Both my daughter and I have always admired Tara for her bookmaking skills. She has always been an inspiration for both of us. I have always thought of Tara as a very strong person, who accomplished amazing goals in her life.
I am so relieved to hear that Tara’s sister was able to be by her side and that her husband has someone next to him to lean on and press through this difficult time.
Tara had a tendency to inspire us with her beautiful paintings as well. She will be missed by many.
I’m so sorry to have heard this news today. I worked with Tara in another age, 20 years ago when I was working at Eastern Edge and she was the Chair of the Board of Directors. The art scene of St. John’s at the time was buzzing with lots of energy and eccentric people, and Tara was a rare calming influence that helped direct that energy. Her ongoing efforts made the whole scene so much better for all of us. She has continued to serve as a role model for me even after all these years. And what about all those books she made? AMAZING! Totally world-class work! Thank you Tara for everything you gave us all!
Gone from our site but never from our hearts. A great artist and a good person. I am happy I had the opportunity to meet her.
My thoughts are with her love ones.
Tara your warm smile and wit will be sorely missed! Your Texas buds love and miss you! Give a big hello to Jack and Jean- til we meet again! Angela Dickerson
So much love to you all.
Tara laughed, spoke and breathed with a deep down human beauty, spark and calm.
What a gift, all the memories and all the time she gave me.
So much love.
A lovely bright light has left this world and passed into eternal rest with her wonderful Mom and Dad! What a celebration they are having in Heaven this week! She will be sorely missed by all who loved her or knew her! She was filled with such a Spirit of Joy and scattered it along her journey wherever she went! Bon Voyage, beautiful soul!????❤????????
I am so very saddened to hear of Tara’s passing. I first met her when she did some work with Grade 5 and Grade 3 students at Upper Gullies Elementary (Arts Smart). We subsequently became better acquainted when we both signed up for CFUW tap dancing classes. I had the honour of being her frequent partner in the “Mame” routine, which we were never able to master! Her wonderful smile will be with me for a very long time. I am very sorry for your great loss. Please accept my most sincere condolences.
Most of our heartfelt thoughts are with George and Teresa.. So many others will share our sorrow. She put up a great fight. I have wonderful memories of final lunches with Carol an Muffet and hold those close as I grieve her loss. Di Dabinett