The Creative ArtNest is the work of artist, Leah Tinsley. It exists to cultivate joy and inspiration. It’s a place for everyone to be reminded that they are beautiful, strong, capable, and empowered. “A home where all are encouraged to be honest, to be kind, and to be free,” Tinsley said. “The world needs your creative spark.”
Tinsley is an artist who loves to encourage and educate others in confidently pursuing their creative paths. She is passionate about art and spreading joy. “My love for nature birthed from my childhood in Arkansas and exploring the outdoors,” Tinsley said. “It was here I had the privilege to teach myself art through drawing wildlife. I laid in the fields, sat in the creeks, and hiked through the woods. I grew flowers, swam in the lake, jumped in the leaves, and played in the snow. My surroundings were a daily inspiration. Nature was my friend and art was my voice.”
Her family had a simple life which taught her how to appreciate the little things and exercise her imagination often. “I didn’t watch much television or play video games and there were no cell phones or social media. I grew up playing outside until sunset, building forts, and decorating mud pies with flowers,” Tinsley said. “I spent all my free time drawing, writing, reading, and taking photos. All the allowance I earned from doing chores would be spent on developing my film or purchasing art supplies. I entered my drawings in the county fair and won ribbons I hung on my bedroom wall. Creating art and sharing it with others made my heart happy.”
She moved to Tampa when she was 15 years old and began her discovery of all things Tampa. “Growing up in the woods and then living in the city taught me a lot about balance and it’s this balance that helps me in my art and teaching others,” Tinsley said. “Through nature and some key people in my life, I learned to connect with God and hear His voice. Much of my art is inspired by what He reveals to me and the beauty of His creation. I credit the joy and freedom you see in my art and life to the relationship I have with God.”
Recently, The Tampa Foundation reached out to Tinsley and asked her to create a mural in Plant City. “A client of theirs, HSW Associates in Plant City, reached out to the foundation because a plaza of theirs had a cell tower which has a wall around it and they wanted to make the wall more appealing,” Tinsley said. “The foundation reached out to me to create a mural.”
Tinsley worked with HSW Associates to come up with a theme that would fit Plant City. “The mural is called ‘Together We Grow’ and it was inspired by what Plant City is known for which is strawberries and The Strawberry Festival,” Tinsley said. “The strawberries were my favorite part of the mural to paint because I’d never painted strawberries before and I loved adding my special touch to them.”
The mural was completed in two days. “One night we sketched it and the next day we painted it,” Tinsley said. “We finished it in just under 23 hours and I love the way it turned out. Lots of bright beautiful colors and gorgeous strawberries.”
The mural is located at 709 N. Park Rd. and it had its public unveiling on Friday, March 8.