Cindy Tevis

My name is Cindy Tevis, and I am a Halloween artist. I am addicted to Halloween art! It relaxes me, and de-stresses me. It is my great escape!

I love to paint on old decor items. I have named my home decor style "Shabby Hag" as a sort of Halloween spin on Shabby Chic. My style is vintage-primitive Halloween.

I make polymer clay tiles for jewelry, create Halloween greeting cards, Halloween poetry, and recently branched out into the paper clay sculpting world.  My ACEO series entitled "Witchie's World" has a cast of endearing characters. I have also created something I call "Halloween Poetry Cards" These are my poems screened on 3.5 by 5 inch cards. They are inexpensive, very vintage, and frame-able little greeting card enclosures.

I am always trying new things, which makes it hard for me to actually make money at my craft, since I am constantly buying new art supplies. I love what I do, and will do it as long as I can!

Q. How long have you been an artist or doing art?

A. I was born into a family of artists. I spent hours each day, while in my teens, drawing charcoal portraits. Halloween has always been something that ignites a spark inside me.

Q. What started you in your craft?

A. I ran a search on ebay for Halloween art one day, and poof! I couldn't believe there were so many people just like me - creative souls that love Halloween. I decided to try my hand at selling my Halloween art. Before that, I made gifts for family members and party favors for my big annual Halloween party. I just created for myself and my family.

Q. Are there certain things that inspire you to create?

A. Thoughts inside me are where I get most of my inspiration. I think (daydream) about the smells, and the feel of the Halloween season, I imagine how Halloween must have been in past times, before I entered this life. I envision old time Halloween parties with bobbing for apples, haystacks, and I can feel the excitement that people must have felt back then. I also remember my own childhood Halloweens, and the excitement I felt then.

Q. Do you have any tips for other artists who are just starting out?

A. Don't be intimidated to try new things, If you see something you like, try to make it. If you are not happy with the results, then do it over again. It becomes a learning process, and you will get better every time you do something. Don't get discouraged, you can create wonderful things, and never force yourself to draw or paint like someone else. You are developing your own style.

Q. What is your favorite medium or tool used in your art?

A. I have no one favorite. I love Prismacolor® markers for ACEO's, I love Paperclay® for sculpts, I love polymer clay for jewelry, and I love thrift store decor items for my Shabby Hag decor. You can't beat a good thrift store find. Paint it up in black and orange, and it transforms into something wonderful.

Q. How did you come to be interested in Halloween art?

A. It is inside my soul, and always has been. I can't remember that far back!

Email Cindy
Browse her HalloweenSpirit01 auctions on ebay.