New Corona del Mar artist’s frontyard signs offer inspiration, invitations

One way to meet people when you’re new in town is to display sign art in your frontyard.

And if the works contain encouraging words, they could have the power of an invitation to come closer.

Messages like “Music is what feelings sound like” and “Peace begins with a smile” almost guarantee that folks will come knocking.

Artist Tamara Claiborne, who moved from Rancho Cucamonga to Corona del Mar eight months ago, decided that attracting people in order to make a connection is a big part of her artistic mission.

She has sign art bearing inspirational messages secured onto iron easels along the entrance of her home near Marigold and Fifth avenues, clearly visible from the well-traveled street.

According to Claiborne, the art — with positive messages in the form of Bible verses, quotes and phrases — was created as a way of providing more light in a dark world.

Clairborne also sells the custom-made quote boards. “Love” boards are ideal for weddings, “believe” boards for self-help conferences and “relax” boards for therapy and other businesses.

“I want to get out inspiring messages,” she said. “There is so much negative stuff out there, and human beings don’t share enough positive. They don’t say how they feel.”

As a result of the sign art staging, Claiborne has achieved her goal of attracting people in order to make connections. And she doesn’t stop with the initial connection, she said.

Claiborne invites each new acquaintance to attend “Tea Time with TamsArt” in her home studio as a means to further connect face to face instead of by text, email or phone.

Passersby sometimes will knock on her door and leave a note on the information table near the entry, or if they see someone outside on the patio, they will inquire in person. Much of the time they end up signing up for tea time.

“My passion is to connect with people first,” Claiborne said. “We love people, and want to get to know them and help them express themselves through art. I believe God’s plan is for people to connect, and tea time shows the love about what we have going on.”

Claiborne schedules one tea time per week, and she has a waiting list.

Claiborne, a working artist exploring a variety of media, also converted a den area in her home studio into an open studio for art-healing classes. Her daughter, Corissa Pacillas, said the classes let people explore their artistic sides.

“The benefit of the group sessions is so other artists can connect and be in the community with one another,” she said.

“The fun thing is to help people think outside the box,” Claiborne said.

She said her TamsArt LLC donates 30% to 50% of its proceeds to an outreach program serving single mothers and children in Kenya, Africa, and to an internship program for young adults in Los Angeles.