As a Texan, I’ve always laughed at the cliche that “Everything is bigger and better in Texas”, but also as a Texan, I must admit that it’s totally true. Everything IS bigger and better and that is especially true when it comes to our art scene.  This week we’re spending a few moments with the Jill-of-All-Trades, artist Tiff Toxic.

TD: Tell Aggressive Comix readers about yourself and your business name.
TIFF: Hi! My name is Tiff and I create art! I’m more creative with paint than words 😉
You can find me online by one of two names, Tiff Toxic or art.by.tiff
I started using art.by.tiff around 2009/2010 when I was trying to come up with an easy website URL. It’s simple, it’s me, it’s what I do!

TD: How and when did you know you wanted to create art?
TIFF: I’ve been creating since I was a kiddo and I always had encouragement through my art. When I was in 2nd grade I had my first drawing published in like a school district wide art book! I was living in Germany at the time & all of the Military schools from across the country submitted work to it. I was so proud of my squiggles and swirls drawing of my Mom, Dad and puppy haha.
I think that was my first moment that I knew I wanted more of my work in print. In Germany,  I got to leave regular class and go to enrichment classes to focus on art. It was amazing! I wish I had more of that when we moved back to the US, but alas, I didn’t get a good art push in school again until high school. I kept doing it though. Always drawing, and later painting, sculpting, everything!

TD:  What styles and mediums do you work with?
TIFF: I’ll work with whatever I can get my hands on. I don’t like to stick with one thing, I like variety in mediums. I mainly work with acrylic paint at the moment. I paint on canvas, pottery, wood, shoes- you name it.
My style has definitely developed into a creepy brutal bubbly girly style. That’s probably the best way I could describe it. Super detailed skulls to flowy ladies with flowers in their hair. This year I’m going to start working more with digital media as well. I really want to design some rad shirts this year.

TD:  You’re also a tattoo artist, yes?
TIFF: Yes! I’ve been tattooing since ’06/07 on and off. Once my daughter was born, I kinda stopped tattooing as much. Now that she’s older, I’m starting to pick it back up again.

TD: What’s the hardest part about being an artist, a mom and also being a manager of a retail shop?
TIFF: The hardest part? Time management is a personal problem I’ve always had. I either lose track of time or never feel like I have enough of it! I get the kiddo ready for school, go to work, come home, spend time with her and usually around bed time I start working on art. I’ve always been a night owl but with age I’ve been getting an earlier and earlier bed time with knowing I have to get up at 7am!
Being a store manager I always wind up getting a super creative ideas at the worst moments. I’m so glad I have my Galaxy Note to jot down a quick sketch idea while at work to come back to later.

TD:  What would be a dream or life goal project for you?
TIFF: Dream goal would be able to make enough money off of my art that I’d only need a part time job or have art be my full job. I’d love to be at home more with my kiddo and stuff. A goal project is getting out a line of fun awesome Tshirts sometime this next year!