Today we’d like to introduce you to Tiffany Michele.
Hi Tiffany, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start, maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers.
I am not entirely sure where my story begins. It could begin on my first day in college as an architecture student when I called my mother crying that I wanted to be an art teacher…or it could have started in elementary school when my art teacher arranged for one of my landscape drawings to be in a small art show in Galveston, Texas. Regardless of the beginning, I ended up getting a degree in Art Education and teaching middle schoolers how to draw, paint, and sculpt. I enjoyed teaching, but I knew early that educator, although a respectable career, was not what I wanted to be when I grew up. At my core, I craved selling my art, participating in art shows, and having the freedom to sit in my creativity all the time. In 2020, I had some time to ponder more about my future and explore my inner thoughts and desires that I had kept deeply buried. On vacation during my Thanksgiving break visiting my best friend in California, I painted and gifted a California poppies and daisies watercolor and ink artwork to her. This is the exact moment I knew I could do it! The dream I had hidden away of being a professional artist started to blossom. I was still teaching but found time to start researching and planning how I could launch myself into the world of selling my art professionally. I created a logo, business cards, new artworks, social media accounts and then launched In Bloom Ink by Tiffany in January 2021. The initial year was slow, fielding a few random commissions and exploring artistic styles. That autumn, my school’s PTA hosted a holiday market. I received tremendous support and encouragement from my colleagues and students as they abundantly purchased my designs. Motivation took over, and I started selling at numerous markets around Houston. As markets on the weekends and increased requests for commissions became incredibly time-consuming and challenging, I recognized that I could not maintain both careers. By January 2022, it was time to take the risk and dive into art full-time. In May of that year, after 9 years in the classroom, I said goodbye to teaching art and hello to a future full of endless possibilities. I am a full-time professional artist!
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Theoretically, leaving teaching to be an artist appeared to be a smooth transition. Art teacher to artist, easy, right? As a teacher, I followed a meticulous daily schedule, leaving minimal time or energy to paint or prepare for an event. As a professional artist, I would now have more available hours in my day! How could I predict that once I retired from teaching, it would be difficult to cultivate a daily schedule working from home for myself. The high demands of teaching energy dissipated slowly. Teaching was extremely fast-paced, stressful, and simply overwhelming. Brainstorming ideas, painting, creating, making social media content, and placing orders were all activities I could do at my own pace. My nervous system was not prepared for the abrupt change! Living a slower, gentler lifestyle became a priority, and now I am focused on healing my nervous system from years of stress and anxiety. Currently, my schedule includes waking up gently, meditation or breath work, sunlight, eating well, light exercise-yoga, and, of course, the activity that allows me to feel most like myself: painting.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am a watercolor artist. I often incorporate mixed media, such as ink pens or gouache pigments, into my paintings. I enjoy exploring and experimenting with my artistic style, so I paint however and whatever my soul and intuition is driving me to create. My most common subject matter is floral and nature-inspired, but I have also painted a few portraits and have some murals on my schedule in the future. I truly enjoy including ink in my watercolor paintings. The technical and detailed characteristics of using pens and line work is a beautiful juxtaposition of the soft, delicate, and “flowy” nature of watercolors. It is hard to say what I am most proud of. When I create something new, I say, “It is my new favorite!” or “This one is my favorite!” and I do this almost every single time I paint a new piece. I am best known for watercolor and ink.
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
As I opened my business, talking to other vendors, makers, and artists at local markets and events provided me with a wealth of guidance. I am naturally shy and introverted, so perhaps the narrative unfolded as an extrovert maker approached me, struck a conversation, and suddenly, we became friends! But in all seriousness, as entrepreneurs, many are supportive, knowing the obstacles of starting a business, and are willing to share their experiences and provide support. I also have experienced my clients’ suggesting events, inviting me to networking opportunities, and giving me “shout outs” on social media. All of which are amazing in helping my artwork reach new eyes and providing new opportunities for growth!
Pricing:
- Original art starts at $50 and increases based on size and detail
- 11×14″ reproductions are $40 (Giclee fine art prints on archival paper)
- 8×10″ reproductions are $25 (Giclee fine art prints on archival paper)
Contact Info:
- Website: http://www.Etsy.com/shop/inbloominkbytiffany
- Instagram: http://www.Instagram.com/inbloomink_bytiffany
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/inbloominkbytiffany
- Other: https://linktr.ee/Inbloominkbytiffany
