Artist Spotlight : Tina T. Ames

Today I'm excited to share an artist who actually creates and interacts in the communities locally. When I say local, I mean local to me, in Western New York.  Her name is Tina T. Ames. She has a wonderful website that you can explore to learn more about both her and her talents, www.tinatames.com. But if you're already motivated by the end of the spotlight to purchase you can see her available works in her etsy shop TinaTompkinsAmes.

Print Available on Etsy

Every artist gets their inspiration from a variety of locations. Their motivations to create vary as well. Tina T. Ames had always been an artist, but she had an experience that left her unable to pursue photography in the manner she had been. It also kept her away from her corporate job as a director in a hospital system.

Not one to let circumstances keep her from creating, she began exploring her talents by doodling images with markers on paper, quickly finding the results were inspiring not only herself, but to others as well. She developed her work further, choosing to pursue art instead of returning to the more structured job.

Tina T. Ames has used her skills in a variety of ways over the years.  Not only are a number of her pieces are available as art prints and cards, she also leads classes and workshops to help teach others various skills. Her website has a list of various classes and events that she's involved with. One class that she leads results in a hand designed silk scarf. I find the variety of skills and talents she's willing to share with others both encouraging as well as commendable. After all, not everyone is cut out to be a teacher.

Mandala Oracle Deck available on Etsy

Her artwork isn't only available as basic prints though. She also offers 4 different oracle decks currently. The artwork varies, but the messages are wonderful, offering inspiration and positive energy to daily life. Decks like this can be useful for various things, whether you want to pass them out to add inspiration to someone else's life. or to use them as oracles.

Personally I find the Mandala Oracle Deck to be gorgeous. It has a variety of images that you can either share, use as the intended oracle, or frame.

Print available on Etsy

Many of her art pieces are inspired by moments in her life, helping her to create art that many people can understand. Pieces like the sunflower you see to the left of this text, are inspiring.

But why are they inspiring? They make it easier to express things that people may hesitate to say or feel, simply because expressing things honestly can be difficult. But the simple straightforward lines of text accompanying the bold cheerful artwork give people something pleasant to think about, as well as something bright and cheerful to view.

The simplistic folk art nature to the line work, as well as the bold color choices offer something different from the work of other artists we've seen. You'll notice the seeming lack of the color black in her images, a lack of outlines. It makes ya wonder how it's done. But it also makes you want to do some yourself. Which she's made possible,  coloring books of her art available.

Available on Etsy

There's a great variety of pieces on her etsy page, and the same can be said of the blog posts on her website. Her topics vary focusing on simple living, her artwork, and instruction.  There's a variety of useful information that she's willing to share, and all you need to do is look. Recently she posted a recipe for macaroni and cheese that looks divine!

To the right though, I've added the image of one of her pieces that I feel as though I needed to post it. It's a frog mandala. I love the roots and the reaching tendrils. It reminds me of the tree of life frequently used in art. This piece is amazing in how much detail there is. It was originally created as one of the cards in her Mandala Card Deck.

These are only some examples of her work and talents though. I recommend exploring her various sites, and if you're local make sure to look at the events she'll be at. You never know what sort of inspiration her pieces may be able to add to your life.

Remember to look at her website and Etsy shops for further information and inspiration.

www.tinatames.com

etsy shop TinaTompkinsAmes