Creative Coaching, Courses + Custom Artwork

Bring Creativity To Your Community

Hands-on visual art and creative coaching workshops for cultural centres, schools, and summer programs across Queensland.

I'm Tara — a professional artist, illustrator, and creative coach based in Outback Queensland. I run workshops that are relaxed, inclusive, and a whole lot of fun. My goal? Every single person walks away with real skills and something they're genuinely proud of.

Bring Creativity To Your Community

Hands-on visual art and creative coaching workshops for cultural centres, schools, and summer programs across Queensland.

I'm Tara — a professional artist, illustrator, and creative coach based in Outback Queensland. I run workshops that are relaxed, inclusive, and a whole lot of fun. My goal? Every single person walks away with real skills and something they're genuinely proud of.

Hands-On
Workshops

All Ages
and Abilities

Build Skills
and Confidence

Custom
Portraits

Creativity
Coaching

Learning
Resources

Digital Art
Licensing

Custom
Portraits

Creativity Coaching

Learning Resources

Digital Art
Licensing

Hands-On
Workshops

All Ages and
Abilities

Build Skills and
Confidence

Want to bring creativity to your community?

Are you looking for a hands-on workshop that actually gets people creating, not just watching?

Are you tired of programs that don't cater to mixed abilities or different age groups?

Your community deserves creative experiences that are inclusive, relaxed, and genuinely fun, no matter who walks through the door.

Want to bring creativity to your community?

Are you looking for a hands-on workshop that actually gets people creating, not just watching?

Are you tired of programs that don't cater to mixed abilities or different age groups?

Your community deserves creative experiences that are inclusive, relaxed, and genuinely fun, no matter who walks through the door.

Six Workshops to Suit Any Program

Ballpoint Pen Portraiture

Participants learn to create lifelike portraits using the humble ballpoint pen — one of the most accessible and affordable art tools in the world. No experience needed.

Bold, Layered, Expressive

A vibrant workshop combining acrylic paint, coloured pencil, ink, collage, and artisanal papers to create striking, textured portraits full of personality.

Create on Screen

Teaching universal digital drawing foundations across apps and devices — from Procreate on iPad to free apps on Android and desktop.

From Envy to Ease

A fun, approachable workshop that helps participants overcome "sketchbook envy" and build a sustainable, joyful daily creative practice.

Creative Coaching

A structured program that addresses the mindset, habits, and emotional blocks that hold people back from a fulfilling creative life. Three progressive phases from triage to fitness.

Heal Creative Trauma

A gentle, guided workshop helping participants identify and heal the creative injuries and unresolved experiences that hold them back, using written reflection and creative first aid techniques.

Meet Artist + Creative Coach

Tara Leslie

I'm a professional artist, illustrator, and creative coach living and working in Barcaldine, in the heart of Outback Queensland. I hold a Bachelor of Digital Media from the Queensland College of Art, Griffith University, and I've spent over a decade building a creative career that spans studio art, illustration, design, and teaching.

I specialise in ballpoint pen portraiture, mixed media, digital illustration, and creative coaching. I genuinely believe that every single person has creative potential waiting to be unlocked.

My workshops are built to be relaxed, inclusive, and genuinely fun. I work with people of all ages and abilities (including neurodiverse and disabled learners) and I design every session so that everyone walks away with real skills and something they're proud of.

Meet Artist + Creative Coach

TARA LESLIE

I'm a professional artist, illustrator, and creative coach living and working in Barcaldine, in the heart of Outback Queensland. I hold a Bachelor of Digital Media from the Queensland College of Art, Griffith University, and I've spent over a decade building a creative career that spans studio art, illustration, design, and teaching.

I specialise in ballpoint pen portraiture, mixed media, digital illustration, and creative coaching. I genuinely believe that every single person has creative potential waiting to be unlocked.

My workshops are built to be relaxed, inclusive, and genuinely fun. I work with people of all ages and abilities (including neurodiverse and disabled learners) and I design every session so that everyone walks away with real skills and something they're proud of.

TESTIMONIALS

Hear what my customers
+ students have to say

Hear what my customers + students have to say

Isabella Clapp

Pre-Beyond Creative Block workshop, I was paralyzed by fear and constantly worried about others’ opinions of my creations. Now, I’ve silenced my inner critic and reclaimed control of my creativity!

Kate Birse

My daughter has been working with Tara as a private art tutor for a few months now. I believe the lessons are a solid investment in Zoe's current happiness and long term resilience. The lessons challenge Zoe's creativity and extend her technical abilities.

Rebecca Romeo

Before the Beyond Creative Block workshop, I constantly felt the need to prove myself as a creative professional. Thanks to this workshop, I’ve ditched the validation game and no longer let others define my success!

All Workshops Include

Flexible duration
1-day, 2-day, 3-day, or 5-day programs
Materials options
Supplied by Tara or self-sourced by participants
Tailored content
Adjusted to suit your group, venue, and schedule
Take-home outcomes
Every participant leaves with finished work, or well on their way to completing it
Inclusive approach
Welcoming all ages (12+), abilities, and experience levels

All Workshops Include

Flexible duration
1-day, 2-day, 3-day, or 5-day programs

Materials options
Supplied by Tara or self-sourced by participants

Tailored content
Adjusted to suit your group, venue, and schedule

Take-home outcomes
Every participant leaves with finished work, or well on their way to completing it

Inclusive approach
Welcoming all ages (12+), abilities, and experience levels

Three simple
steps to beat
sketchbook envy

Three simple steps to bring more creativity to your community

STEP 1: Download the brochure.

STEP 2: Choose your workshop program.

STEP 3: Book your workshop.

Your Questions

Answered

Who are these workshops for?

Art workshops (Beautiful Biros, Punchy Portraits, Digital Illustration, and Sketchbook Secrets) are open to anyone aged 12 and up. Creative coaching workshops (Beyond Creative Block and The Complete Creative First Aid Kit) are designed for participants aged 18 and up. All workshops welcome complete beginners, hobbyists, and experienced artists alike.

Are the workshops suitable for neurodiverse or disabled participants?

Absolutely. Inclusivity is at the heart of everything I do. Every workshop is built to welcome participants of all abilities, with flexible pacing and adaptive approaches built in from the start.

Do participants need to bring their own materials?

It depends on your preference. I can supply all materials for your group, or participants can self-source from a provided list. Approximate material costs are included in the free Workshop Prospectus PDF.

How long are the workshops?

Duration varies by workshop. Most art workshops are available as 1-day, 2-day, 3-day, or 5-day programs. Sketchbook Secrets runs as a 1-day or 2-day workshop. Beyond Creative Block is available as a 3-day or 5-day program. The Complete Creative First Aid Kit runs as a half-day or full-day session. Every duration can be tailored to suit your schedule and goals.

Where do you run workshops?

I'm based in Barcaldine, QLD, and I'm available for in-person workshops across regional and metro Queensland. I come to you — whether that's a cultural centre, school, community hall, or other venue. Beyond Creative Block and The Complete Creative First Aid Kit can also be delivered online via Zoom for interstate or remote groups.

How much do the workshops cost?

Pricing depends on the workshop, duration, and materials arrangement. Fees are per workshop engagement, not per participant, and materials can be included at an additional per-student cost. Get in touch and I'll put together a custom quote tailored to your program, or download the free Workshop Prospectus PDF for full details on every workshop.

How do I book a workshop?

Start by downloading the Workshop Prospectus PDF for full details, then email me at [email protected] or call 0428 420 967 to chat about your needs. I'll work with you to tailor the perfect program.

Are you ready to bring more creativity to your community?

GET INSTANT ACCESS TO THE

WORKSHOP PROSPECTUS

Whether you're planning a creative retreat, a school program, or a creative experience for your community, it all starts with one thing: finding the right workshop for your group.

This comprehensive prospectus will step you through everything Tara offers — from ballpoint pen realism and mixed media portraiture to digital illustration and creative coaching — including formats, durations, and deliverables.