We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Tina Vincent a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Tina, so great to have you with us and thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts with the community. So, let’s jump into something that stops so many people from going after their dreams – haters, nay-sayers, etc. We’d love to hear about how you dealt with that and persisted on your path.
I feel that a lot of people tend to like to support the most at the finish line. As an artist the journey is a very important part of the products that I create. I would never get to the finish line without the sketch that looked like nothing, the paper that was balled up to create a sculpture, the first attempts that looked like a failure. If I listened to people along the journey I probably would not be an artist. A lot of the time the nay-sayers vision is only a fraction of mine. I feel that I found so much joy in my life when I stopped caring about what other people thought of me and what I was doing. People cannot accept and respect me if I don’t accept and respect myself. If I had listened to all the haters and nay-sayers I would not be doing what I love and be thriving. People fear what they do not know and do not understand. I feel motivated to work harder to achieve success in what I do whenever I am underestimated. I work with a lot of recycled materials that people see as junk and create new and interesting artworks. I am motivated to succeed by the haters and nay-sayers.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I am a professional artist and art educator. I am focused on exploring and developing my art skills. As a teacher I am motivated to constantly develop myself to be a resource for my students. I have found that me developing myself has made me a better artist in my own practices. I love creating and experimenting with different combinations of mixed media. I enjoy creating new and unique processes and products. My work is a celebration of black women of different skin tones and body types. A celebration of different looks that society did not consider beautiful for so long. An example that beauty comes in all shades, shapes and sizes.
I am so excited to have been juried in as an artist in Art Fields, an annual, nine-day art competition and exhibition in Lake City, SC with artists from all over the Southeast. I will also be a featured artist this summer at the Moorseville Gallery where I will have about 20 sculptures on display. I am currently working on a new series of Quilted wall hangers that will be available for purchase soon.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Knowing my strengths and working on my weaknesses. I think as an artist its easy to stay in my comfort zone because I always see success, but I think me identifying my weaknesses and making an intentional decision to work on them has been life changing. I have uncovered skills I would never have otherwise dreamed I could execute.
Trusting myself and not allowing people to talk me out of trying new things or going the extra mile. I think it is essential to march to the beat of my own drum.
Small steps lead to big changes. I used to think I did not have enough time to create art as a full time teacher because I did not have a large block of time to work. I started waking up a few hours early each day and made small goals. Applying some paper mache before work that would be dry by the time I return. I realized there it no rush. Small steps to my goal are better than no steps. Many small steps are big moves over time.
What has been your biggest area of growth or improvement in the past 12 months?
Last year I was one of 20 Artists chosen to have my artwork shown billboards and digital displays throughout the charlotte and around the country. When I applied for the program I thought I would have my art displayed on one billboard. I had no idea that being part of the Art Pop street Gallery class of 2023 would give me the confidence in my work to create and consistently sell my art. I learned the importance of advertising and putting my work in places it can be seen. People cannot buy things they don’t know exist or have never seen. last year I started the launch of my Women of Color in 2D prints to make my work more accessible at a lower price point without needing to create extra work. My prints have been very popular and are a great way to advertise the the sculptures. I realized that lots of small sales lead to big revenue. I also had the opportunity to surround myself with like minded creative people who inspired and encouraged me to follow my dreams. I have always been a loner and I was okay with that but having a supportive community is pretty amazing. So basically my business expanded in terms of what I offer and therefore revenue and so did my support system.
Contact Info:
- Website: tinagvincent.com
- Instagram: tinagvincent
- Facebook: Tina G Vincent
- Linkedin: Tina Vincent
