As part of Buzz in the City—Chelmsford’s exciting new art trail—we’re proud to spotlight one of our incredible artists: Tamara Eden.
Based in Chelmsford, Tamara is an emerging artist who specialises in bringing detailed acrylic animal paintings to life and is passionate about inspiring the next generation of creatives. Her bee sculpture, Bee Inside, is a striking piece of anatomical art—both visually captivating and educational—offering a unique glimpse into the intricate inner workings of bees.
“I’ve always had a weird interest in the anatomy of animals—how things work and what they’re for,” Tamara explains. Her bee sculpture celebrates the complex beauty hidden inside these tiny pollinators. Every organ is painted to scale and positioned exactly right—which, as you can imagine, involved meticulous research and accuracy!
“When I researched how the bee’s anatomy worked, it gave me an even greater respect for them—how special and intricate they are. I hope it will educate people on how a bee works and give them a better understanding of how important they are, no matter how small.”
Planning the piece was one of Tamara’s favourite parts of the process. She chose bright, eye-catching colours to make the anatomy feel approachable and engaging.
“I tried not to make the guts look gross! So, I chose bright colours to attract younger viewers,” she says.
That said, bringing the sculpture to life wasn’t without its challenges.
“Getting the massive, heavy bee structure into my house so I could paint it was definitely the hardest part! Thankfully, a lovely guy called David Williams helped me transport it—thank you, Dave!”
And for those exploring the trail, keep your eyes peeled—Tamara has hidden a little surprise in her sculpture.
“I’ve included some bee jokes on one of the honeycomb pieces that the bee is standing on. Enjoy. Teehee.”
Tamara’s involvement with Buzz in the City goes far beyond artistic passion. She was also drawn to the project because of the cause behind it.
“Farleigh Hospice are incredible. I’ve had a few close people I know pass away in hospices, and the love, respect, and care they were shown in their final days is invaluable. Without their charity work and fundraising, they wouldn’t be able to give dying people such incredible care and attention. It was an honour to be part of this initiative, and I wanted my Bee to make them proud.”
A Writtle University graduate, Tamara works at Artists at the Meadows, a gallery in Chelmsford supporting local artists. She helps set up exhibitions, delivers workshops, and finds joy in teaching young creatives to follow their artistic instincts.
“Everyone should paint—it’s such good fun and great for the soul.” For Tamara, creativity isn’t optional:
“I’m so lucky to be around such creative people. Artists at the Meadows is such a great place to work, and being part of a wider family of local artists is so inspiring. I think I need to be creative—I feel weird if I don’t paint.”
What’s next?
Tamara has an exciting art exhibition coming up at Hanningfield Reservoir. You can also explore more of her work at: www.tamaraeden.com.
She’s looking forward to seeing her sculpture on public display, inspiring curiosity and learning.
“It’s going to be amazing seeing my Bee in public and watching people read the labels and learn how incredible and valuable these small creatures are.”
Ready to discover Tamara’s bee for yourself? Keep an eye out for Bee Inside during your Buzz in the City adventure—and don’t forget to look for those hidden bee jokes!