Today we’d like to introduce you to Trish Sines.
Trish, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I get asked a lot how long I have been drawing. That, I’ve been doing my whole life! I got my bachelor’s degree from The Art Institute of Pittsburgh. Although grateful for my education, I knew I wasn’t cut out to work in an office. So I got an opportunity to work at a theme park as a portrait artist. I was just starting to practice caricatures when I moved here from Pennsylvania. I got small events where I could set up and make a few bucks. (At this time, I felt they were horrible! But my price was cheap!) Everyone was supportive and had more faith in my work than I did! The opening of the “Ocala Mall” really helped push this little project of mine into a full-time gig. I was able to work more, meet customers, and network. I picked up custom jobs other than just caricatures. After the mall closed, I needed to stay busy, so I set up at The Market of Marion, unless I do an event. During my pursuit of all this, I was determined to follow another passion that I always had, but never had the opportunity to try; Dance. I met a woman at the community center that was offering a kids dance class. I Signed up my kids and was hoping to learn by volunteering. Cynthia Krueger started the class with her granddaughter and some of her little friends watching YouTube videos and bouncing around her living room. She had some dance knowledge, but it was limited. So, we are essentially self-taught. Cynthia became my Florida mama, but got sick last year and I lost my mentor. I miss her dearly, but her loss gives me motivation to keep going. “If I don’t, who will?” Every year we end in a recital and I say “Let’s just get through this, and I think I’ll quit next year.” When I see what we have done, I think “We just can’t quit now!” During my rendezvous at the Ocala Mall, I met Juan Gonzales. He has brought together an awesome group of performers to form the “This Random Life; Freakshow”! It has been so fun to work with these people. And I get to do something I never thought; perform! So where am I now? I’m still figuring it out, but so far, I’m a mom, artist, performer, and community volunteer. All this keeps me busy and the tradeoff of working for myself is totally worth it.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
As far as my art goes, the biggest one is and was keeping busy. I started with small events, where sometimes I would get left in the hole. But the longer I do this, the more I learn the good events, what I can afford, and what will be worth it to me. I have been able to take enough custom orders to keep me busy during the week. So there is always something to work on. Which is also sort of a challenge, because motivation to sit down and do something that you won’t get paid for until later, makes you feel like your not doing anything productive, but I am. I also had to learn a lot, like take down payments for that sort of stuff. I’ve already spent hours on custom orders that never got picked up. That’s fine, its part of my portfolio now. My skills also get better every year, which means I can increase my price, add-ons, and sales.
Loosing my Florida mama last year, and trying to keep the dance club going has been hard on me. We butted heads a little over some things because I thought she worried too much, and she probably thought I didn’t worry enough! We probably balanced each other out that way! But she was always there making sure I was thinking ahead and preparing for what was to come. I feel like a slacker without her. I didn’t even advertise the club very much this past year. It was always just me and her, because parents flake. But, I’ll be honest, the ones that stick around are so willing to pitch in when it comes to recital and crunch time. They are willing to help with costumes, snacks, makeup, just whatever I need, they are there when it counts! I appreciate their help so much. The motivation of the kids and parents keep me going.
The Freakshow has been going on for a little over a year now, so we are still fresh and just starting to gain recognition. We have built a beautiful community of people that love and support each other so much that we all pitch in what we can to keep going. Most of us work for tips, and the pursuit of passion, hopes, and dreams of doing what brings us joy: performing. For; “The Show Must Go on!”
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Mainly I do caricatures. I derive my style from the old Fleischer cartoons, I love Betty Boop! I’d like to say I’m still developing and perfecting it. Coming up with an original style to set yourself apart is another challenge that is something to constantly work on and develop. I also do pastel portraits. On these, I try to capture as much realism as possible. My pet portraits are popular.
My community center kids learn basic dance skills in ballet, contemporary, Hip-hop, and jazz. So they get a small taste of what each style of dance feels like.
For the Freakshow, I’m known for burlesque and Fire. I have 3 fire toys that I switch between: palm wicks, fans, and hoop.
I think I’m most proud of being able to inspire the kids. If Ms. Trish can, so can they! I have seen highschoolers off to college for art, and children who grew up and out into a real dance studio. Even kids that walk past my booth and think its so cool that I’m sitting there drawing. I remember feeling that way when I saw those people as a kid. I think deep down, its what I always wanted!
We love surprises, fun facts and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
I’m actually Native American from the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe. My mom was adopted out of the tribe by a family in Pennsylvania when she was a baby. So I can be proud to say I’m an “Indigenous owned Business”.
Pricing:
- Black and White Caricatures (just head) $12 per person
- Color Caricature (just head) $17 per person
- Full Body Full Color Caricature $25 per person
Contact Info:
- Instagram: t_conn.conn_artist
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TConnconnartist
- Other: 6trish_sins9
Image Credits
Credits; Lizzed Lens Photography for show photographs
