Today we’d like to introduce you to Bil Tipton.
Hi Bil, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
I’ve made art in different styles and forms for as long as I can remember. My Mom took college art classes during my childhood, and I watched her create all sorts of projects that inspired me to do the same. She supported my love of art by buying supplies for me and encouraging me to cover the walls of my bedroom in Sharpie drawings (my father was not as happy about this). Most of my early inspiration came from characters in the cartoons I watched, and I spent a lot of time drawing while I was bored and during classes in school. After high school, I attended the same college as my mom to study art, but life got in the way, and I shifted my focus to family and work. I like working with my hands and spent many years working in construction building homes as a framer. I also earned a degree in Sports Management and worked as a fitness instructor and personal trainer for about 5 years.
Creating art is something I continued to do as a hobby, especially as my son began expressing interest and a talent for it as well. Over the years, we’ve spent a lot of time being creative together – from chalk drawings on our back patio when he was in preschool to learning how to create digital art together on the iPad now.
At the beginning of 2021, I lost my job in construction, and it was tough but also a relief because I was ready for something else. I sold a few paintings for the first time in 2020 and received a lot of positive feedback about my work online. So, I decided to view the job loss as an opportunity to pursue art as a career like I always wanted to do. I began spending a lot of time finding inspiration for new pieces and trying out new products and methods of creating art.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Now, my style is along the lines of pop art, abstract art, graffiti, and expressionism. I like to use bright colors in my paintings that I choose by following the rules of color theory and composition. My goal is to convey my ideas and communicate uncomfortable emotions with vibrant color and bold shapes that might otherwise come across as dark or abrasive. Each of my mixed media pieces contain many layers that are created with a variety of materials and tools – acrylic paint, spray paint, and ink markers being my favorites. I often create a messy look with elements that appear to be out of place, but each component is thought out and planned carefully. I enjoy working in these layers and with a variety of materials to build interesting textures, and many elements are added to create bleed-through from one layer to the next or a strong separation of colors.
The quality of the tools and materials you use to create art show over time. I’ve tested and selected specific brands and paints to be sure I use professional quality products from start to finish. I so appreciate the support of my customers and am honored they want to display my work in their home or business. So, it important to me that the pieces of art I sell – whether they are original canvas paintings or art prints – are worth the investment and last for many years to come.
We’re always looking for the lessons that can be learned in any situation, including tragic ones like the Covid-19 crisis. Are there any lessons you’ve learned that you can share?
My biggest lessons during the Covid-19 mayhem involved finding ways to present my art and engage my audience without many in-person opportunities. Learning how to build a strong online presence, taking quality photo of my projects, and engaging customers, galleries, and other artists.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.BilTiptonArt.com
- Instagram: @BilTiptonArt
- Facebook: Bil Tipton Art
