Artists Corner: Tim Gibbons

Between the Carrollwood Cultural Center and the Life Enrichment Center, one thing is clear:

North Tampa is a community full of talented artists.

We recently talked to one named Tim Gibbons, who teaches at the Life Enrichment Center in Forest Hills, about how he got his start and how the community can see his work.

Patch: How did you get your start as an artist?

Gibbons: When I was four years old, I asked my mom, "How do you become an artist?" She said, "When you think you are one." 

My art also came from the thrill of putting pencil to paper, which was and will always be a great adventure for me.  I  also became interested in Aztec art in fifth grade, and learned their numbers and words depicted in the  art. Add to these influences my great love of comic books.  All of these factors still exist in my life today, and continue to influence my art and help to steer me in the ever changing direction and evolution of my work.

Patch: Who or what influences you?

Gibbons: My mom, friends, science, Paul Klee, Aztec art, the world surrounding me.

Patch: What are misconceptions you think people have about artists?

Gibbons: We're moody and a little crazy. Okay, we're a little crazy!

Patch: What does your work say about you as a person?

Gibbons: I am inventive, with a lot of joy and happiness.  I love to fill up empty spaces.  I am addicted to art, and love nothing more than to draw for hours on end.  My ideas for my larger projects come many times from drawings I have created in my drawing books.  Looking back upon my work over the years, I realize that a lot of what I have been experiencing at certain times in my life show up in my art, sort of like a pictorial diary of my life and the journey my life has taken me through art.

Patch: How can members of the community see your work?

Gibbons: Through my website, www.funkyasamonkey.com, through art shows, the Hillsborough County Arts Council website (which is currently being updated).  My work has also been included in the first Tampa Art Book Project (link below), which is a digital art project including 88 artists' work in the Tampa Bay area.
http://cltampa.com/tampa/​artbook-a-tampa-bay-artists-​whos-who/Content?oid=2873608#.​T2h8VoFGbeI