Today we’d like to introduce you to Tiffany Skyers.
Tiffany, we’d love to hear your story and how you got to where you are today both personally and as an artist.
I have been interested in the arts since child hood. As a child, I remember stealing pens, highlighters, and computer paper off of my parents and grandmother’s desks to doodle. Eventually it got to the point they began to provide me with my own office supplies. It was not until I tested into a private preschool program that they noticed my attention to visual detail. Unlike normal kids who drew stick figures with a head body and limbs, I took it a step further and drew eyelashes and fingers. My parents became attentive and encouraged my creativity, eventually every birthday and holiday gift became an art kit.
As I grew, my desire to put my world onto paper was noticed by outsiders as well. From elementary, to middle, and into high school I was blessed to be encouraged by family, teachers, and mentors to pursue a career in the arts. From elementary school, my work was exhibited in coffee shops, libraries, and museums. However, it was not until high school that I found a knack for design, and began accepting commissions for logo, tattoo, and paintings.
Upon entrance to college, my curiosity took over and I decided to take my art in another direction. I pursued a Bachelor’s Degree in Graphic Design from Savannah College of Art and Design. While at SCAD, I participated in painting classes and artist showcases both in school and the surrounding community. With the help of social media, knowledge of my art and graphic design skills grew exponentially. Since 2016, I have been privileged and blessed enough to travel for shows and sell my work nationally, as well as be hired to work for a graphic design and printing company, It’s Printing Time. My biggest achievement, was participating in a Miami Art Basel event in 2017.
Having family in Florida, Miami has always been a dream city of mine. Being of Jamaican, decent the warm sun, beautiful beaches, cultural diversity, and COLORFUL art has always captivated me. My work has always echoed my bold and vibrant personality and moods. Although an outsider, I have always felt comfortable, at peace, and at home in the city. After visiting and experiencing the atmosphere of Wynwood multiple times these past two years, I have become more convinced that my work would fit in beautifully. Within the next year I would like to move to Miami to gain experience working in a gallery and networking with the people of the art district. After finding my place, I would like to continue pursuing my painting and graphic design career by taking freelance commission, alongside opening my own custom t-shirt shop and teen club catering to art therapy for at risk youth.
We’d love to hear more about your art. What do you do you do and why and what do you hope others will take away from your work?
I am a graphic designer and painter. My art sometimes utilizes both skill sets, or one may be independent from the other. Some of my paintings may be digitally rendered in a computer and then I paint from what I see, while others may be paintings I have scanned and finished rendering digitally.
My most popular / signature work is very bold, vibrant, and saturated in color. I take reference from pop art as I then break up the color with thick black lines. Lately however, I have been very experimental, my work has been everything abstract to realism. I like to push the envelope and see what I am capable of artistically. In terms of my artistic development, I like to sometimes compare myself to Pablo Picasso. My work caters to my moods and life experiences. Each piece tells a story or explains a thought or emotion. My work tends to be my therapy from my worldly issues. Some pieces are easy to understand, but some are just as complicated as I am.
I know that some people make work with their audience in mind, but unless it is a commissioned work, I tend to stray away from that. My work is usually about my experience as an artist before, during, and after its construction. I feel at times that statement sounds selfish, but I am the type of artist that would prefer my audience to have their own interaction / take away from the piece. Maybe my experience and therapy will be different but necessary for viewers. The goal of my work is to encourage conversation of topics that are not openly discussed.
What do you know now that you wished you had learned earlier?
Networking and strong relationships are key to your success! When I was younger I took it for granted when people say it is all about who you know, but it is the truth. In the past, some of the best artists excelled because of technique, but has time has gone on art has developed into an acknowledgement of expression. A great artist is now fueled based on opinion. For this reason, you need to be prepared to put yourself out there to be noticed. Be the person who says YES to more new experiences. Still use your judgement, but every experience whether bad or good can be seen with optimism / an experience that encouraged growth.
Do you have any events or exhibitions coming up? Where would one go to see more of your work? How can people support you and your artwork?
People can see most of my work via my Facebook and Instagram @creatiffartistry. Currently I have some of my work displayed at Tramp Art Studios and Envy Nail Bar in Savannah, Ga. The rest of my work may be viewed at any events I participate in. Event dates and times may be viewed at my website home page tiffanyskyers.com. One may support my work by donation, purchase of prints, original pieces, and / or merchandise (t-shirts, phone cases, bookbags, etc.) More information can be found on ordering at tiffanyskyers.com.
Contact Info:
- Website: tiffanyskyers.com
- Phone: 980.292.4553
- Email: tiffany.skyers@yahoo.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/creatiffartistry/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/creatiffartistry/
Getting in touch: VoyageMIA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
