Antiques Diva Interview with Abstract Artist Tina Steele Lindsey

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Dear Diva Readers,

top:2px;padding-right:5px;font-family:times;”>Long term Diva Readers might remember that when I took the “Define Your Style in One Picture Challenge” I proclaimed, “The Antiques Diva’s Style is all about Art & Antiques juxtaposed against Modern Glamour”. It’s the decorating vision behind this mission statement that had me going gaga the first time I viewed the artwork of Tina Steele Lindsey. Numerous emails later (and months pouring over each other’s blogs) she and I had formed what can only be defined as a Mutual Admiration Society as we discovered that we each share a passion and intensity for our life work that make it more a spiritual calling than a profession.

to 10px; WIDTH: 209px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 325px; TEXT-ALIGN: center” alt=”” src=”http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kcTb8DnPVW4/S8sA80IkphI/AAAAAAAAEm0/fqRPFvleJVM/s400/Tina+Steel+Lidsey+7.jpg” border=”0″ />When Tina commented that she was looking for a European representative for her art commissions, I jumped at the chance and am proud to announce that Diva Enterprises will be Tina Steele Lindsey’s European representative.

Steele is a second generation artist after both parents, mother Jane and father Victor Denfrey Steele. Her introduction to painting was in her father’s studio where he instructed her in Russian Impressionism methods. She is more concerned about the emotion a painting exudes than anything else – simply put, if she is not inspired, she does not paint. Without inspiration – no matter how wonderfully executed a painting is – if there is no inspiration there is no life in that painting. Steele believes you can stand in front of a Michelangelo, then a Whistler, then a Graydon Parrish, and know the art of inspired beings and through her work she shares her inspiration.

Following, I’d like to share with you an interview I recently conducted with Steele Lindsey.

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Tell me about your art and your process.

Tina Steele Lindsey:
Currently I have a handful of projects going, a couple of oil studies and a few abstract pieces. I am working on a piece for a gentleman in Atlanta who just purchased a new home and has written often to me about the more masculine and strong pieces I have done. Everyone has a favorite style, I tend to mix things up, a little of this and that, traditional works and abstract, back and forth kind of thing, I love it all, love doing it all.

Antiques Diva:
I am particularly interested in your abstract works – each work evokes an emotion or a mood. They are proof positive that inspiration is necessary in creating great art.

Tina Steele Lindsey:
My process in creating abstracts is pretty basic, and I am not certain I can explain exactly how they are created; they just seem to create themselves. Abstract paintings, despite their appearance, are not easy to do as there is no visual reference to go by as with still life or figures. I don’t think about a painting ahead of time or work out samples on paper. I did initially when I first started but stopped after a period as I found it limited my natural painting inclinations.

I usually begin with putting some music on that suits my mood and stand in front of the canvas until I feel the need to put something down. Next thing I know I’ve put something else down, and so on and so forth until I feel the painting is complete. I use oil or acrylic solely based upon on how quickly I need a painting to be dry.

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Through conversations we’ve had in the past, I understand that you also use your computer to help you “see your art”. Could you explain that.

Tina Steele Lindsey:
When I feel I am nearly through with the piece I take a photo and upload it on the computer and view it. Viewing on the computer puts a whole other spin on how I perceive that painting. If I am not satisfied, I go back and paint some more.

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How does inspiration come into play when you are painting on commission.

Tina Steele Lindsey:
If I am creating a work for a specific space I review all the details of a space ahead of time and create a mental image of that space in my mind. Then I keep that image at the forefront of my thinking while painting. I also select music I feel is appropriate for the space and begin painting in the same like manner, but this time I do keep that mental image in my mind.

Antiques Diva:
I love that you can create a unique work for a home – to fit the space, the atmosphere and your clients. You know that my passion for art began as a result of how it changed antiques when they are paired or juxtaposed together. I think abstract paintings next to antiques often make each piece stronger together than they are alone.

Tina Steele Lindsey:
My thoughts regarding modern art combined with antiques? It is my thinking that the combination can be as fabulously wonderful as it is in any contemporary settings but the secret regarding any setting is that it should be the right piece. Then again there are those who purchase art for art’s sake, they love it and care nothing about whether it goes with their décor. It is all relative. The wonderful thing about having a piece commissioned is if décor is your main concern you will have much greater success having one commissioned than visiting a hundred galleries to find just the right piece.

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OR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center” alt=”” src=”http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kcTb8DnPVW4/S8sA9szqa1I/AAAAAAAAEnU/7Z4y8rc1bIM/s400/Tina+Steel+Lindsey+4.jpg” border=”0″ />Antiques Diva:

You make a good point about how some people choose art for art’s sake alone while others choose art of decoration. Go further on this idea.

Tina Steele Lindsey:
If a space is already well defined then a piece can be created to fit in and still make its own statement. There is a vast difference between fine art and what we all know as decorator art. What I do is consider every detail regarding a space along with the desires of the client and transform that information into a fine art piece.

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And how could one commission a special painting by you?

Tina Steele Lindsey:
Anyone interested in commissioning a painting is welcome to contact me directly (and please tell me The Diva sent you) or go through The Antiques Diva™. I also work with interior designers and more. General pricing info will always be provided and I am always open to considering reasonable offers for unique situations.

Antiques Diva:
And what do you require from a client who is far away in order to get started on a project?

Tina Steele Lindsey:
I work from photos, renderings, fabric and flooring samples, paint samples, plus I need an idea of furnishings, etc. This has worked amazingly well, no problems. The only problem I’ve ever encountered is someone wanting to purchase a client’s commissioned painting out from under them, offering twice for it without knowing the price! That is an interesting story – and a compliment – but it is certainly something I wouldn’t do! Once I paint for you, the painting is for you and you alone.

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Before we close I have one last question – could you tell me about what artists have inspired you?

Tina Steele Lindsey:
I am most inspired by figurative artists and sculptors and really good landscape artists. Some of my favorites are Aaron Westerberg, George Inness, Ignat Ignatov, Graydon Parrish, Singer-Sergent, Whistler, the list goes on. Now as far as abstraction goes I try to view very little of it if I can as I don’t want to be influenced in any way by what is out there regarding abstract – I want to stay true to my own ideas.

Until Next Time, Be Inspired.

The Antiques Diva™

Thank You Tina!

You’re the Diva of the Day!

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11 thoughts on “Antiques Diva Interview with Abstract Artist Tina Steele Lindsey”

  1. Very interesting artist's profile – I do like the inspired abstract emotion. Love the setting on the very first picture above – nicely done.
    thanks – Gigi

  2. Thank you for the lovely interview. (Really well written, and I read to the end!).

    My first time here. I actually came via Tina.

    I am chocked that I have not been here before. I collect both art and antiques. (Used to import Swedish antiques). Now I am off to learn more about you!

    ox, Monika

  3. Gigi,
    I couldn't agree more… that setting in the first picture is diva-worthy!

    Sanity Fair,
    So glad you enjoyed the interview!

    Tina,
    I'm honored you're letting me work with you! You are a rising star!

    Linda,
    Add Tina to your resources list for future design projects… she'll be an ace in your pocket!

    Trish,
    Thanks so much for stopping by!

    Splendid Willow,
    Delight you've visited my site – now I'm off to visit yours! Lovely how the internet has a way of introducing people!

    All the best,
    The Antiques Diva

  4. I stumbled into my first peek at Tina's art and blog last week, and was very excited and started to crave my own Tna original. Then this interview with The Antiques Diva, with even more abstracts to lust over. I'm inspired to conspire! Tina, take me away.

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