Today we’d like to introduce you to Tina Bell.
Tina, please kick things off for us by telling us about yourself and your journey so far.
My story is not for the faint of heart, but I try to make light of it. I fell love with performance art at age five. However, growing up in poverty with a severely mentally ill mom/artist, made me rethink my pursuits. I saw her struggle mentally, financially and emotionally and I did not want to suffer the same fate. My dreams took a back seat when I was rendered homeless at age 15 with my little sister and mother. I felt pressure to do well in school, so I could get scholarships for college and become independent. When you don’t have a home, let alone a computer, it makes schoolwork a tall-task. On top of all this, I had a stutter and dyslexia, so it took me 10x longer to complete assignments and more bravery than your average kid to speak publicly.
I found performance art an escape for my troubles. I would make-believe with my siblings or alone in my basement with my over-active imagination. To help with my speech impediment, my mom would have me read to her nightly and before Google, I would rewind and pause my favorite speeches from movies and rehearse them for an audience of stuffed animals. I was weird–you’re thinking it, it’s okay, I said it.
Now, I have a degree in Forensic Psychology, a volunteer with homeless children once a week, am a mental health advocate, an agency-represented actress, and model and get to do what I love to do every day. It’s easy to get caught up in the negative experiences since they are often the fuel that ignites our journey to our dreams, but I choose to channel them into something productive. I wouldn’t change it for the world!
Can you give our readers some background on your art?
In short, I create pictures; sometimes stills and sometimes moving pictures. I am a full-time actress, model, producer, wardrobe stylist, and creative art director. My mother was a photographer and she gave me an eye for photo composition. Everything about images fascinates me; the clothes, the set design, the color, the subject, the music–all seemingly unrelated variables that when manipulated can elicit an emotional reaction in the viewer. I grew up an introvert, watching black-and-white and silent films, so I have always been fascinated with how to convey an idea non-verbally.
I am inspired by the human condition. Instead of navigating around my “flaws” or negative experiences, I embrace them and use them to drive myself and others. I use my anger, my sadness, my happiness, my love to compose lasting images and tell a story–whether it be my own or someone else’s.
In your view, what is the biggest issue artists have to deal with?
Authenticity and integrity. Technological advancements have expanded artists’ access to an audience but unfortunately, this often leads to over-saturation in the market. Everyone with a SmartPhone can be somebody; it’s wonderful and scary at the same time. True artists will struggle to stay true to themselves and the integrity of their work to gain a larger following. It’s sad but true. It’s easier to buy followers/likes than build an empire from the ground up or find internal validation. Luckily, the industry seems to be moving away from heavy photoshop and large followings and gravitating back toward authentic, human experiences. I’m happy to be a part of this new wave.
What’s the best way for someone to check out your work and provide support?
I am very active on social media; I encourage people to say Hi, like, share, follow or reach out to work together. 🙂
www.instagram.com/tinabellmodel
www.facebook.com/tinabellcreations
www.tinabellcreations.com
www.youtube.com/tinabell
Contact Info:
- Website: www.tinabellcreations.com
- Email: tinabellcreations@gmail.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/TinaBellModel
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/TinaBellCreations
- Other: www.youtube.com/TinaBell
Image Credit:
George Rivera, Jessica Marie Portraits, Eric Snyder, Nechama Photography, Top Shelf Vintage Co, Ash Sharma, Leonardo Tillett, Eagle Eye M.J.G.
Getting in touch: BostonVoyager 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.
