My Inspiration
Throughout my childhood, my parents embarked on extensive road trips from Chicago to the distant west coast, where we explored the majestic Redwood National Park. Later, we journeyed to the farthest reaches of the east coast, visiting Acadia National Park. As a young adult, I backpacked through a multitude of breathtaking landscapes, including Glacier National Park, Grand Tetons, Badlands, Mammoth Cave, Rocky Mountains, and the White Mountain National Forest. As a parent, I've continued this tradition, taking my children camping and hiking along the entire east coast. It wasn't until my graduate studies that I realized these experiences in nature profoundly influenced my artistic practice. Nature had been my muse all along. Since then, I've integrated these experiences into my creative process.
A guiding principle for my studio practice is encapsulated in Joseph Campbell's words: "The goal of life is to make your heartbeat match the beat of the universe, to match your nature with Nature."
Contact
tinahirsig@gmail.com
EXHIBITIONS & BIO
CV: CLICK HERE
Bio
Tina Hirsig holds a Bachelor of Science in Education and Fine Art from Illinois State University in Normal, Illinois. She sought further artistic training and pursued a diploma program at The School of the Museum of Fine Arts at Tufts in Boston, Massachusetts. Subsequently, she earned a Master of Fine Arts degree from Goddard College through a self-designed graduate program. Her interdisciplinary studies focused on education philosophy and methods for cultivating authentic artistic "voice."
Tina exhibits regularly at local and national levels, earning numerous accolades for her work. As a visual art instructor, she has been invited three times as a speaker at the National Art Educators Association convention, where she shares her expertise in fostering individual artistic expression within a choice-based art studio.
Residing in Charleston, South Carolina, Tina shares her life with her husband of 28 years, two sons, and their rescued greyhound, Obi.
Materials & Methods
Growing up surrounded by the eclectic array of objects for my parents' antique business influenced my artistic journey. My fascination with objects extends beyond antiques to found natural artifacts collected during local hikes and paddles along nearby waterways. These found objects sometimes take center stage in my artwork or provide integral support within larger compositions. Yet, there are moments when I prefer the simplicity of a pencil on paper, devoid of objects altogether.
I inherited a knack for tinkering from my Dad and Grandfather. Much like them, I relish discovering new techniques and blending processes that reflect the swirling ideas in my mind. Drawing from my experience as an educator, I have a wide-ranging familiarity with art materials, frequently integrating this knowledge into my work. I dedicate time to researching diverse artists and inventive approaches to traditional materials, continually expanding my creative toolkit.
Collaboration
It all began with a simple postcard exchanged in 2006. Laura Gaffke and I first connected during our graduate studies at Goddard College and wanted to maintain our bond between on-campus residencies. A rich exchange of art through the mail ensued—a project born from our conversations, written letters, and shared reflections on the artistic process. Together, we navigated a path towards a deeper understanding of living authentically as artists, true to our unique voices.
Over the years, our collaboration flourished into various projects: weekly exchanges of mail art, hand-crafted visual books, online call-and-response photography, an installation piece, and collaborative artworks where we worked on the same piece simultaneously.
CLICK HERE to visit our website (lauraTWOtina.com). You may also follow us on Instagram (@lauratwotina).
Curious about Laura? Click on her website HERE.
Q&A
WHAT CRACKS YOU UP?
Anything with Will Farrell and Tina Fey. If they are both in a movie, it is a must-see and probably a must-own. Anything Monty Python. One of my proudest moments as a parent was showing my kids Monty Python’s Holy Grail, and they cracked up. I can quote almost every line from the movie Tommy Boy. So basically, anything ridiculous.
IF YOU COULD HAVE A SUPERPOWER, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
I always enjoy a movie based on a true story that shows the beautiful side of humanity. I enjoy the imaginative worlds of the Marvel movies, the Lord of the Rings series, and the Harry Potter series. I like characters like Black Widow, who don’t necessarily have a superpower but kick some serious butt with her intelligence and athleticism. Strong female characters get me fired up!
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN TEACHING?
I have been teaching part-time and full-time for 30+ years. I was a tenured teacher in the Brookline Public School District in Massachusetts for seven years, then moved to Charleston, where I wandered looking for the right place open enough to explore contemporary art education practices. I have taught at the college level through elementary schools in public and private settings. Currently, I am teaching at Ashley Hall School in Charleston, South Carolina, an independent school for girls.
WHAT ARTISTS ARE YOUR TEACHERS?
Yayoi Kusama for her originality and honesty with herself and others; Betye Saar for holding true to the fact that art is about ideas and her unwavering work challenging stereotypes; and Aldwyth for her persistence as a working artist for decades despite rejections, not to mention her gorgeous aesthetic and ability to assemble found objects in dynamic ways.
WHAT GENRE OF BOOKS DO YOU READ?
I enjoy a good historical fiction book with strong female characters. Any book where I learn about history from a different viewpoint is always fascinating (I read Howard Zinn when I was young and that changed my thinking on historical events). I also enjoy writers who contemplate nature, such as Oliver Sacks, Annie Dillard, Gary Snyder, and Mary Oliver.
WHAT IS SOMETHING MOST PEOPLE DON’T KNOW ABOUT YOU?
I played roller derby for three years (2011-14) and co-led our team to the national competition for our division. My derby name was TNTina and I played the jammer position for the Lowcountry Highrollers. I was one of the older players on the team at the time and even surprised myself by what I was able to do on the track.
WHAT IS YOUR MOST MEMORABLE TRAVEL EXPERIENCE?
I traveled to Ireland with my husband to celebrate 20 years of marriage. We had a fantastic time together, and the landscape moved me greatly. The rugged cliffs falling into the ocean contrasted with the mellow green hills, unlike anything I had seen or felt. I enjoy traveling with my family, and I often think of our recent trip to Hawaii, which was filled with laughter and adventure.
THE SOUNDTRACK OF YOUR LIFE WOULD INCLUDE WHICH ARTISTS?
Elementary School: Madonna, Michael Jackson, Bruce Springsteen
Middle School: Whitesnake (the 45 record!), Bon Jovi, Def Leppard, anything I could tape off the radio
High School: Led Zepplin (box set), Aerosmith, Nirvana, U2, Live, Pearl Jam
College: Black Crows, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Billy Corgan/Smashing Pumpkins
Adult life: I got into crunchy folk music for a while when I lived in Boston and saw a lot of live music in Cambridge, MA. I have recently returned to some of my bluesy rock favorites, such as Black Keys, Buddy Guy, and jazz.