Her wonderful way with watercolours has earned Tina Maher a loyal following, encouraging her to pursue her art full-time.
When did you discover your talent for art?
As a child, I was always making things and drawing, including in my school books!
When did you turn your hobby into a business?
Something clicked while I was at TAFE Townsville, where I studied painting, drawing and illustration. Sitting at a high desk illustrating just felt so right. I wasn’t sure how I could make it happen, but I was determined to end up with some form of creative business. The most significant catalyst was losing my mother to cancer in 2015. The grieving process moved me to start creating again and, as I created more art and began to share it, I kept hearing how, in some small way, it was making people feel good. By 2016 I was really focused on creating art, establishing stockists, attending markets and working towards getting my art out in the world to be seen. Then, at the beginning of last year, I left my part-time job at a pharmacy to pursue my art full-time.
What’s your working day like?
Typically I start creating early in my home studio, which is light-filled and looks out to the garden. Most days I leave admin, packing orders and checking in with stockists until the afternoon.
What’s your favourite medium to work with?
Acrylics were the main medium I used initially, but then I developed a love for the layering process, which led me to fall madly in love with watercolours. There’s something fascinating in how they move, granulate and are quite unpredictable at times. It’s a challenge I really enjoy.
What artworks have you done recently?
I wanted to showcase Townsville’s resilience after the 2019 floods, so I did a large watercolour piece of a Townsville sunrise taken from South Townsville, especially for a Zonta Club Charity Auction. And I recently completed a large watercolour of a Townsville Queenslander home for a family gift. At the moment I’m inspired to paint nature and buildings mostly.
I’ve also been fortunate to have great opportunities to share my art through displays at Botanical Style, The Drill Hall and the Renegade Gift Shop and markets.
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