Meet Tiffany Wilson

Today we’d like to introduce you to Tiffany Wilson.

Hi Tiffany, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I am a self-taught artist. I’m originally from Bowie, MD but I live in Raleigh, NC as of 2018. I began with drawing cartoons from the comic section in the Washington Post in the 3rd grade. From there, I would move into cartoon shows like Looney Tunes (I’m a big fan of Taz) and Scooby-Doo (my favorite character).

Years later, my dad wanted me to explore other mediums besides using a pencil and a sharpie marker so he put in this Art Instruction school program (that weird infomercial in the 90s that comes across the screen showing a bear and the man says “if you can draw this, then you can do our program”).

You basically are mailed assignments that you must complete and mail back to them and they will give you a grade. I learned to work with calligraphy pens, watercolor, charcoal, and pastels. Some of the feedback from professional art teachers was a bit harsh especially since I barely knew much about these other mediums I almost wanted to stop doing art. I just wanted to just draw cartoons as my safe haven from your typical teenage life.

I allowed my love for cartoons I use to watch as a kid (80s baby) and still watch now as an adult to show society what I can do. I mastered using markers and have expanded my craft to other mediums. My current medium since 2018 is acrylic painting. I would say my style is cartoon pop art.

Some of my influences like Kieth Haring, Banksy, Roy Lichtenstein, and Andy Warhol. I enjoy exploring new color palettes and taking character original colors and making changes to them. Since then I’ve done a few art shows when I lived in MD and a few events along the east coast like Atlanta, Jersey, and Philly.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
There’s been a few obstacles. Even though my work can bring out the nostalgia appeal to some of my fans, it’s not always liked by galleries which are where I would love to see my work. It’s been difficult finding my audience when so many people love/prefer abstract, portraits, sculptures, landscapes, and surrealism types of work.

I don’t have anything against those styles of art but I just want the same level of love and appreciation people give to another artist who is in that category. I want people to understand the beauty of pop art with cartoons.

Other challenges would be to push thru the artist block because it does happen and can happen frequently but I try to do other things non-artistic wise (i.e. going on trails, hanging out with friends, doing jigsaw puzzles) to fill that void until I’m inspired to create again.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
While art is my side hustle/hobby, I’m a front desk coordinator for a company in downtown Raleigh. My art is known for and what sets me apart from others for my choice of colors and how I’m able to incorporate them with whichever cartoon character I’m using at the time.

I’m always finding random color palettes online and I almost don’t repeat the same color palettes twice when I’m creating. There’s also the smoothness in my line work that is all done by hand.

My proudest moment so far is being a part of my first ever art exhibition that happened on Father’s Day weekend in Columbia, MD. It was a 3-day art exhibition for women of color. It was such a great networking opportunity and I was so grateful to Marlon and the 3rd Inc for allowing my style of work to be accepted.

Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
My dad (who recently passed away in June this year) played a role in giving me the push to try other mediums.

My mom and my sister (who pretty much attended almost any shows I did when I lived in Maryland before moving to NC). Of course my art friends (it’s so many to name) but we all have a different style from one another and we’re constantly getting and giving advice from each other and giving constructive criticism when needed.

Even my nonartistic friends/peers/family members are always throwing my ideas/suggestions on who I should paint next.

Pricing:

• Small custom paintings $80-$150
• Medium custom pantings $150-$400
• Large custom paintings $500-$2000

Contact Info:

• Website: www.tiffyinks.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/tiffyinks
• Twitter: www.twitter.com/tiffyinks
• tiktok: @tiffyinks