Meet Tina Salazar of Latina Tina in South East

Today we’d like to introduce you to Tina Salazar.

So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I’ve always been creative and artistic and basically always wanted to be my own boss. I started my own business after losing a job I had for nine years as a corporate artist. Basically starting from scratch, I reinvented myself. With faith in God and prayer, I knew I wanted to see big things happen for my art and designs but I didn’t know what my style was. I lost my mom in March 2017. After that, I wanted to paint everything about my culture but with an eclectic flair. I started showing at pop up shop markets and the support from customers was great. I learned photoshop to give my art another level and I learned how to sew. A skill my mom always wanted me to learn, I sell all my designs on various sites like Redbubble and Society6 as well as my Etsy store. I incorporate my designs in fabric so I can sew my designs in the clothes and jackets I make. My mom knew best. I also Sign Paint and have been for 18 years, my business has always worked with upscaled restaurants throughout Houston and nationwide but the restaurant business died out and it’s been mainly pop up markets. We show at Round Top Antiques week in Warrenton, TX. and at Junk Hippy Shows. I have big dreams and a big God.

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has not been a smooth road but then that would be boring and wouldn’t bring me where I am today. To be honest, there will be some more bumps along the way, more mountains to move to get me to the next level. You get stronger along the way. In the beginning, when I lost my corporate position, I had also lost my marriage (then) and my home. Everything that could fall apart did but the hardest was losing my mother. Not having my mother around to talk with her, morning coffees and share with her my deepest desires. I try to honor her in everything I do. In my designs and my art, Sunday’s are for Menudo is just one T-shirt design that stands for Sunday’s at moms for menudo, a rich savory soup dish she would make on the first day of Fall. My husband (now) is a big help to me. He makes all my signs and sets me up for the shows, he’s the muscle behind it. My dad helps with custom woodwork pieces like dogbeds and RV doghouses. He is where I get my creativity from.

Please tell us more about your art.
My business is known for sign painting restaurants but like I said, I took a new turn and started to brand myself. My business is Mexican Eclectic and loud. Very colorful, I’m proud of everything I make and try to see my art/designs in homes as decor and even in stores. I would say my style sets me apart, I can paint on glass backward in script and I’m pretty proud of that. It’s fun, colorful, loud, Mexican eclectic pop art. Filled with everything from Frida paintings (in my own way) to abstract art and catchy colorful pieces of furniture, Mega size paintings of Otomi patterns and beautiful patched work of “Our Lady de Guadalupe” in denim jackets and pants. I also paint on antique windows, pretty much custom work. The store is filled with windows and drawers that are turned into shelves with art pieces. Anything goes.

Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
My most favorite memory from childhood has to be going to K-mart every day and my mom would buy me those Texas-size coloring books with the big box of crayons. I loved the color cerulean so much I tore a piece off and ate it. My mom would save the big Folgers coffee cans and put my broken crayons in them. The smell of coffee and crayons can bring me to tears. When I decorate at shows sometimes, you might come along a coffee can in the decor.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.latinatina.com
• Phone: 832-276-8267
• Email: tina_salazar@sbcglobal.net
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/salazar.tinaart/
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/TsalazarART

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