Share

ART, the expression of or application of human creative skill and imagination, typically in a visual form such as painting or sculpture, producing works to be appreciated primarily for their beauty or emotional power.Artist Tina G. Vincent exquisitely expresses her creative skills with her art.

She shares that in 2016 she started teaching a sculpture class and aimed to develop a lesson focused on creating paper mache sculptures of human figures. She chose paper mache as her medium because it is often underestimated, yet it offers remarkable versatility. She shares that as a mixed media artist, she found that paper mache allows for a wide array of creative combinations. While ceramics were considered, the complexities of working with clay—such as drying times and the need for more space and equipment—led her to favor paper mache. This medium, while intricate to manipulate, aligns perfectly with her schedule. She appreciates how the paper is delicate when wet and transforms into a strong material once dry, enabling her to add layers each day while allowing them to dry, while teaching her classes.

In every class she taught, she prioritized producing numerous examples and experimenting with various techniques to enhance her ability to assist students effectively. Her passion for doll making blossomed during that process, leading her to continue crafting them even after the course ended.
Ms. Vincent holds a bachelor’s degree in visual arts and a master’s degree in art education. Her experience as an educator has significantly influenced her career journey as a professional artist. She adds she’s continually seeking opportunities to learn and refine her skills and techniques, ensuring she has more valuable insights to share with her students.

As a young girl, the artist shares she enjoyed playing with dolls, and even in sixth grade, she still found joy in that pastime, secretly, as it had become uncool at that age. She adds that she never envisioned that she would become a doll artist and make a living from her creations. However, witnessing the joy and excitement on women’s faces when they engage with dolls has made her realize that many women cherish them, even if societal norms discourage preteens from having such interests.

Ms. Vincent shares how she was inspired by Bisa Butler, who was a high school art teacher like herself. When she first discovered Ms. Butler’s work, she was captivated by quilting and often expressed her desire to be just like her and make quilted art. As Ms. Vincent continued making dolls, she recognized that Bisa Butler was already excelling in her craft, and that she needed to have her own. This realization transformed her dream into one of creating stunning paper dolls. She shares that she could only imagine how inspiring it must be for Ms. Butler’s former students, as well as those at the school where she once taught, to see someone from their community producing exquisite artwork that graces museums worldwide.

Ms. Vincent shares that her artwork is designed to celebrate the often-overlooked beauty of everyday women in our lives, particularly full-figured women of color across a spectrum of skin tones—grandmothers, aunties, and mothers. Each piece radiates the joy and confidence embodied by many black women and leaders. Her goal is to highlight that our unique differences contribute to our beauty and to inspire young girls to recognize that their authentic selves are both sufficient and extraordinary. The artist also shares that each sculpture is distinct and one-of-a-kind; while there may be similar pieces, no two are ever the same. She expresses that people possess their individuality, and that is what makes us truly special. Each sculpture begins with a gesture and shape that allows viewers to interpret and engage with the body language of the figure. This initial exploration guides Ms. Vincent in selecting the most effective surface treatments to capture the viewer’s attention. The sculptures achieve their fullest impact when displayed collectively, in which the artist strives to incorporate a diverse range of skin tones and clothing colors. Her decisions are heavily influenced by color theory and an understanding of artistic elements and principles.

Ms. Vincent operates independently, without a team, which has required a focused approach to time management. She shares that she wakes up at 3:00 AM on both weekends and workdays to ensure that something is drying in her studio before the day begins. Her objective is to have sculptures at various stages of completion, allowing her to create enough dolls for exhibitions, shows, and sales. As an artist, she aspires to build a body of work that showcases her dedication as a full-time artist, despite also being a full-time high school art teacher.

Ms. Vincent stresses that her artwork embodies the beauty of everyday women, celebrating their shapes, skin tones, and unique differences. It challenges societal standards that dictate a specific body type and skin tone as prerequisites for beauty. Her dolls are designed for women to see themselves or the women in their lives reflected in the art, fostering a sense of representation and connection.
Creating the paper mache dolls is a time-intensive process due to the multiple layers and the drying time required to achieve a solid figure. On average, it takes about two and a half weeks to complete a single doll if she works on it daily. She aims to dedicate at least five hours each day to art-making, and waking up early makes this commitment possible.

In addition to her dolls, she also creates quilted wall hangings, each being a unique piece. The artist has crafted some dolls in boxes as quilted wall hangings, offering original 2D interpretations of her sculptures. She explains this diversification allows her to participate in shows that may not accept 3D work, ensuring that she has 2D pieces available for display and sale.
Ms. Vincent shares she was honored to be selected for ArtPop Street Gallery Class of 2023, in Charlotte, North Carolina, which promotes 20 artists annually through billboards and displays nationwide, including in Times Square, New York. Her work has also been featured in prestigious exhibitions throughout the Carolinas, such as ArtFields and the Hilton Head Biennale, and has been showcased at the Mint Museum. Recently, one of her sculptures was chosen for publication in the upcoming Fiber Art Now magazine for the fall of 2025, and it is eligible for display in an exhibition in Fort Wayne, Indiana, which she plans to participate in.

The artist enjoys taking art classes and learning new skills in her spare time. She admits her passion for creating art is so strong that she sometimes must remind herself to take a break.
Ms. Vincent’s work is available for purchase at the Four Corners Gallery in Mooresville, NC and at The Dog and Pony Show in Asheville, NC, which offer shipping options. In addition, she has an Etsy store where you can find sculptures, prints, and sweatshirts featuring images of her dolls. She’s also a member of the Charlotte Art Collective, where she participates in pop-up sales twice a year.

Ms. Vincent can be followed and or contacted on social media as well as the provided website:

Instagram: @tinagvincent
Facebook: Tina Vincent
TikTok: tinagvincent
Website: tinagvincent.com

Photo Credit: Tina G