Welcome

I am a visual artist working in Charleston, South Carolina.  My art practice consists of creating compositions through drawing, photography, and collage. Recently, I have been pushing the boundaries of these disciplines of art by fluidly blending them into mixed-media sculpture.  The inspiration for my art derives from my daily interactions in contemporary domestic life.

  

My Process

    A vital part to my creative process begins with observation drawing in nature. It is these quiet moments of looking/listening that inspire and direct new work.  These drawings are often designed into my mixed media work while other times serve simply as a process of learning and thinking.  A natural extension to this quiet practice is my voracious reading habit.  Research in the disciplines of science, education, art, and history adds depth and context to my interdisciplinary creative process. 

    During my not-so-quiet days raising two young boys, I collect and collage objects (natural and artificial). My collections of weathered stones, rusted metal, books, or antique objects found in thrift stores or roadsides serve as direct physical connections to the subject matter I study in my work.  These weathered artifacts are a tangible link from my past, growing up with antique-dealer parents and to my present as a visual artist reflecting on culture. Working with found objects enhances my ability to create this personal and physical connection in ways that just drawing onto a flat plane cannot.

    Where ever life is taking me each day I fluidly bring along my art practice.  The resulting mixed-media work is my narrative of a life well lived.

Collaboration

My years of work in education and art advocacy have lead to my work with collaborative partner Laura Gaffke. Collaboration is a fundamental thread woven into my practice as an artist.  I believe that building a community of sharing and co-creating will not only support our creative lives, but also make this journey a whole lot more fun.  Laura and I started our collaboration during graduate school at Goddard College by developing a course of study about peer-learning and co-authorship. This resulted in drawing exchanges, mixed media artwork sent through the mail, written and spoken conversations, as well as workshops presented on our collaboration.  This year we have brought to completion a two year collaboratively made visual book we have been exchanging through the mail, exhibited a series of work at a gallery in Charleston SC, and developed a dedicated following to our blog. 

Follow Me

Follow my work in process through these pages here at my website, blog, and through Facebook updates. 

Thanks for coming by for a visit!

Click on the links below to connect with me.

    Tina

   

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All of the images and text on this website are © Tina Hirsig, 2006-2010.

    For permission to reproduce any material here, in any form - please contact the artist.