Local Artist Does Good

TINA BATES, ARTIST

There’s a new artist in our midst, her name, Tina Bates.  Tina grew up in Pascagoula, MS but moved to Fort Lauderdale FL to attend North East High School of Performing Arts.  Tina lived in FL for 17 years and returned home in May of 2005, five months before Katrina hit the coast.

When you meet Tina, you see the love in her eyes and it over-flows from her heart when she talks about children & art.  Check out Tina’s Facebook page Facebook Page_Art By Tina and you will see what I mean.  She uses every color in the rainbow and angels must give her an inside tract on extra colors only used in heaven because when you see what I see, there are no words here on earth that describe the love that is in every stroke.  

Working as a substitute teacher in the Vancleave school system and as art teacher in Moss Point, Tina touched the lives of students and staff alike.

Tina found another way to share her two loves by volunteering with http://artwithheart.org/. Art with Heart is an organization that improves the lives of high risk youth by using therapeutic tools and programs that promote mental-health and well-being.  This being right up her alley, Tina blossomed and thrived.  Her experiences working with young people in the school system as well as her volunteer work is what inspires many pieces of her artwork. 

A self-taught artist; many of Tina’s pieces are hands on so, small fingers are welcome.  Colors and textures come into play as you visit her makeshift museum that is full of fun and whimsy, but note, they do have messages that are both subtle & powerful.  See the ukelele?  It’s colorful and musical but across the spine reads “Silent Disease.”  This was inspired by Colton, who is autistic and responds through art & music.   Tina is also often commissioned by expectant mothers because of her awesome “Body Casts.”  The cast featured was inspired by a new mother who is a musician.  She captures the mother’s essence and puts it on a personal canvas.  Tina, her husband Kevin and their son Keigan (8mos) live in Biloxi, MS.  For an up close and personal look at some of Tina's work, a few select pieces can be seen at Delo’s Heavenly House of Coffee, Gautier MS.


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