Tara Thompson is a New Orleans-based artist who finds endless inspiration in the vibrant heart of the French Quarter, her beloved “Happy Place”. She lives there with her husband Jeff, and they enjoy spending time with their son Jesse who also calls the city home. Tara has been painting for many years, gradually refining a fresh, clean style that blends realism of form and expression of emotion.

After overcoming a life-threatening illness, Tara embraced a new chapter in her life. In her mid-50s, she enrolled at the Milan Art Institute to pursue her lifelong dream of becoming a professional artist. Her journey is one of resilience, reinvention, and gratitude.

Tara’s mixed media oil paintings celebrate the romantic beauty of Southern magnolias, historic French Quarter architecture, oysters and seashells. Her work has an artful sense of unique southern beauty and romance. You’ll often find her sketching in Jackson Square or tucked into a local coffee shop, gathering inspiration for her next piece.

Her creative process begins with modeling paste on gallery-wrapped canvas, followed by a detailed pencil sketch. She builds her compositions with layers of acrylic paint, finishing with rich, indulgent oil layers that bring depth and vibrancy. “Oil paint gives you that juicy, indulgent richness,” she says.

Tara’s studio is a small, sunlit space with views of the Mississippi River, an ideal setting for creativity. On weekends, she shares her work in Jackson Square and through her website. Her future plans involve a train trip to the Southern coast and giving back by partnering with a local charity. If you’re in town, look for her, she’s the one with white hair and a grateful smile.