Tiffany Goff-Smith is a Mixed Media Artist. Her passion is to educate and share how art can impact everyone’s life. Tiffany loves to inspire others through color, layers, textures and storytelling. She enjoys pushing the envelope and “reimagining what’s possible”.
Warning label: she is a risk taker.
Over the past few years, she has had the pleasure to travel and create with many creative souls all across the country. Tiffany found the power of art, and one day you may even hear the story of how art saved her. She is known for her free spirit and loose style. Tiffany loves to create handmade art books and has filled more than 20.
When she’s not in the studio with paint in her hair and trying out her next “what if” project Tiffany loves to treasure hunt in resale shops and flea markets. She is also very passionate about recycling – turning trash to art treasures. You probably should know she is high energy and fueled by caffeine.
Tiffany and her amazing husband Josh have furbabies: 3 dogs and she doesn’t even know the number of stray cats they feed. They live in the deep south on the Gulf Coast of Alabama nestled in the woods. It’s quiet, and they wouldn’t have it any other way. Tiffany Goff-Smith also has had her art published in many art publications. She is the founder of The Ugly Art Club and has online art offerings.
You can learn more about Tiffany Goff-Smith on her website, www.southerngalsdesigns.com, and follow her on Instagram @Southerngals_designs.
A friend and I drove 11 hours one-way to attend a class with Tiffany [at Ephemera Paducah]. We love the free-wheeling do-what-you-feel art she creates, and the easy-to-achieve techniques she shares on her videos on YouTube. Her teaching style is friendly, welcoming and very supportive of beginners as well as seasoned mixed-media artists. We knew we would have an amazing experience — which we did! I love the little book I created in her class: grunge, lace, cardboard, vintage papers, stitching — all the good stuff. I hope to take another in-person class with her someday!
Tiffany Goff-Smith Mixed Media Journal Gallery
Artist Interview: Tiffany Goff-Smith
How do you work? What is your teaching style?
I am very intuitive, I do NOT go in with a specific plan. I allow the colors, textures, and my surroundings help me capture where I am both physically when traveling or mentally as to where my mood is for the day. My teaching style is empowerment to allow you to find your creative voice.
What attracts you about travel journaling?
The sheer ability to capture my travel in the pages of a book, to infuse the places, people, and textures. I love looking through them afterward and it takes me back to places we visited and conversations that were had.
What inspires you?
The easier question is what doesn’t inspire me. Since I have a daily art practice, I have learned to see the world through “artist eyes” so travel, colors, textures and being with other creatives really inspires me. If I ever have a moment where inspiration is lacking I go outside, take a walk and ask myself What if…. That always helps.
Why do you do what you do?
Art is my language of choice. It is the air I breathe, Art saved me from the corporate burnout of life. I can tell stories and release emotions through color, where I may otherwise keep it held in.
Why do students attend your courses? What will they get out of it?
Students attend to learn how to be free, let loose, and stop overthinking. I enjoy sharing the power of creating for the pure joy of creating, allowing yourself to not worry about it hanging on the wall, or in a gallery one day. People can find freedom in how I encourage play.
What is your background?
I grew up in a family of creatives. That is where my youngest art memories come from. I am not technically trained in art, and my background landed me in corporate america where I still work today. I am a corporate trainer mainly focused on leadership and interpersonal skills. Art and teaching is my passion and my joy.
What have you learned from creating while you travel?
I have learned that traveling with minimal supplies allows more creativity. Turning trash into treasure and allowing my own story to evolve through the layers is absolutely freeing.