Tomara Jude Rose was born 1957 in a small town of northern Kentucky. When she was very young her family moved and settled in Los Angeles, California. As a child, TJ was fascinated with art; you could usually find her working on art projects whenever she could be involved. She began her training in the arts at Louisville High School in Woodland Hills, California, and it was here that she developed a passion for painting. During her senior year in high school she received a scholarship to the Art Center, College of Design in Los Angeles and attended both schools simultaneously. She then began her formal art education at California State University Northridge where she earned her degree, with an emphasis in studio painting and theatrical set design.

While she was working on her degree, she taught art to the youth at Rancho San Antonio, a probation facility in Chatsworth, CA. Here she discovered the importance of art and its therapeutic qualities. Realizing this importance of art in education, she has become a strong advocate for this cause, mainly for the youth. TJ has devoted much of her time with students encouraging them that they can be successful in the arts with perseverance and courage. During her own youth, she was surrounded with a family who loved the arts and architecture. Inspired from her parents' talent for architecture and garden design, they gave her the gift of encouragement to express herself artistically. They were a true inspiration.

After completing her degree TJ decided to head north to the central coast where she opened her first gallery and public studio and began painting professionally. Her success was immediate as she steadily sold her art and has gained recognition. Over the last 20 years TJ has had the fortunate ability to paint and live at beautiful and inspirational places, Santa Barbara, San Francisco, Cambria, Morro Bay, and on Maui. Currently she has her paintings and limited editions with Collectors Fine Art Las Vegas and Kauai locations.

TJ's main emphasis is to create paintings that have a sense of timeless quality. Her paints are oil or watercolor; however, she often experiments with various mediums adding texture and surprise to her work. Her ability to be versatile with her work has afforded her hundreds of commissions over the span of her carrier as a painter. Her paintings and limited edition giclees can be found in both private and public collections globally. Her work inspired by the events of September 11, titled "Freedom's Angel" was bestowed to the White House. Painted in their honor, "Freedom's Angel" has also been gifted to numerous military, police, fire, search and rescue and political personnel around the world as a thank you and tribute for their persistence in keeping our nation safe and free.