Today we’d like to introduce you to Teresa Chin.
Hi Teresa, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Our family moved to Orlando, from Detroit, in 1971. I worked my way through college at WDW. I graduated from the University of Central Florida with a degree in Graphic Design. I worked as a graphic designer for 27 years, at advertising agencies, as a freelance artist with different clients, and then as a grade-level art director at Harcourt Schoolbook publishing specializing in math and science books.
Since retiring I’ve taken many workshops in fine art drawing, printmaking, and painting, in the Western and Eastern watercolor traditions. I have taught Gyotaku (fish printing) at the Casselberry art house and the Art & History Museums Maitland. Recently I taught traditional beginning watercolor painting, for Creative Arts for Life, in Maitland.
Presently I am a member and the past president of the Central Florida Watercolor Society for 2017-2019 and remain an active board member. I have helped organize art exhibits for our group shows at the Orlando Science Center, Leu Gardens, Casselberry Art House, Orange County Property Appraiser office, and the Center for Health & Wellbeing, in Winter Park.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
As a freelance graphic artist, the biggest struggle was the “feast and famine” nature of the industry.
Work would be abundant for a few months and then there would be weeks of no work. As a small business owner, I didn’t earn money unless I worked so those times were a challenge.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
At the present time, I do watercolors. For the competitions that I enter in the Central Florida Watercolor Society as well as the Florida Watercolor Society, the paintings are done with tube paints on a paper substrate.
I love the natural world of plants and animals, particularly of Florida. Educating the public about the native flora and animals is what I like to do best. I like to use a soft atmospheric style next to a realistic image in my artwork. My latest painting called “Afternoon Stretch” is an example of that. I painted 3 bats hanging in the afternoon sun with a soft, background of vines and rocks. It has been juried into the Central Florida Watercolor Society annual members show at the Mt. Dora Center for the Arts.
Also, I’m proud of “Cherries for Breakfast” which won an Honorable Mention in a state-wide competition for the Nature Conservancy Florida’s Art Contest: “Nature Inspires”! A Pileated Woodpecker was hanging in our Cherry Laurel tree, in the morning sun, eating the ripe cherries.
Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
In my early days as a graphic designer, I had lots of help (mentors) working with printers who taught me about pre-press production. As an assistant art director, one of my early mentors was the art director at the advertising company I worked at.
Since retirement, I have learned about Asian-style painting on rice paper from classes at Leu Gardens. And also learned about more traditional realistic watercolor from classes at Crealde, as well as the many workshops I have taken through the Central Florida Watercolor Society.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.teresachinfineart.com
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/TerriC693
