Today we’d like to introduce you to Tyler Mendez.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Tyler. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I graduated with a BFA from Nicholls State in 2015. Where I focused on portraits in both painting and ceramics. After graduating, I moved to Houston. I was lost artistically and only painted a few times a year when was commissioned to. In 2016, I started working for an all handmade shop in Montrose, Space Montrose. This career change from being a server to working with local artists filled me with inspiration and drive. I start painting more. Leading me to start multiple businesses. At the end of 2017, I started a greeting card brand with the owners of the shop and my husband, Paper Vibes HOU. We all create designs and are having a blast. 2019 is the year I decided to really start focusing on Tyler Darling. It was time for me to create pieces that inspired me and I longed to get my hands back into clay. The idea of Pop Plants was born around May this year. Mixing my love for pop culture, clay, and plants; I started to create small busts of influential people turning them into planters. This series was made to evoke growth and self-improvement. Pushing myself to create something that is from within, it truly translates into the pieces. So much love and concentration is poured into each piece. I’m looking forward to seeing where Tyler Darling and Pop Plants take me. This is just the beginning.
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?
My biggest struggle was coming from within. I was full of self-doubt and had no motivation. I would look at other artists and wish I was as good. Then something clicked. What made them so good? Practice. I never looked back.
Please tell us about Tyler Darling.
Tyler Darling is a creative business for me. I focus in portraits. I’ve painted portraits for about five years now. But most recently, I’ve been getting more known for my Pop Plants. These planters are what set me apart from others. I have personally never seen anything like them. These planters are small busts sculpted from polymer clay, and each takes me about 12 hours to complete. I’m so proud to show my community something new and see them connect with the person I’ve sculpted and the joy it brings.
Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
My grandma was an artist. She would sit with me and teach me how to draw. A lot of the artist I am today is owed to her.
Pricing:
- $175- Pop Plant base price
Contact Info:
- Website: Etsy.com/shop/tylerdarlingart
- Phone: 985-991-3434
- Email: tylerdarlingfineart@gmail.com
- Instagram: Instagram.com/tylerdarling
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tylerdarlingart/
Image Credit:
Matthew Mendez
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