Tiffany Scribner’s world is filled with cosmic sceneries, whimsy critters with puffy cheeks and ants that like to play “Where’s Waldo.”
Armed with a sheet of paper, paint and a brush, Scribner tells her truth: dinosaurs had big eyelashes. Sure, that’s her opinion, but how can we be certain that dinosaurs weren’t blessed with thick, fluttery lashes?
Scribner rejects the notion that humanity knows everything about what dinosaurs looked like, pessimism and the belief that 13 is an unlucky number. Yet, the superstitious, the pessimists and the dinosaur connoisseurs are welcome to check out her 13 art pieces at the Oak Harbor Library and maybe leave with a smile and some inspiration.
Scribner, who is originally from Ohio, moved to Whidbey eight years ago and has no intention of leaving the island, which is home to a thriving community of artists and art lovers. After eating “art for breakfast” and admiring other artists, she prepares to work at Big Brothers Big Sisters of Island County, where she is the executive director.
When she’s not busy with community service, she relieves her creativity itch onto the paper, abandoning her hand to rhythmic and geometric strokes, creating abstract shapes with colored pencils, gold leaves, markers and watercolors.
“I feel like sometimes I don’t get to choose, it has chosen me,” she said. “As a result, it’s not something that I can just put aside even if I wanted to.”
Scribner earned a master’s of fine art in scenic design and painting and has experience working as a scenic designer. However, her story began like many others — her passion for art was passed down by her family. She recalled being 4 years old and struggling to create figures the way her mother, a hobby artist, did.
Decades later, her mother’s influence shows in the contrast of bright and dark colors and the mysterious ants that populate celestial landscapes.
Scribner’s mother struggled with her mental health, but despite the pain, she would still find optimism and strength. By observing her, Scribner learned that there is no light without darkness, which is what makes light so beautiful.
One of Scribner’s paintings is named after a phrase her mother would often say — “Nowhere to Go but Up.” Another painting, titled “High Hopes,” is named after the song written by James Van Heusen and popularized by Frank Sinatra, a hymn to optimism where a tiny ant moves a rubber tree — hence, the ants in Scribner’s paintings.
Community members can visit Scribner’s art at the Oak Harbor Library during regular business hours for the remainder of the month. For more information about the artist, email thewildbluebear@gmail.com or call 706-936-6565.
Scribner enjoys creating abstract art with rythmic and colorful shapes. This piece is titled “Somehow it All Works Out.” (Photo by Luisa Loi)
Scribner holds one of her whimsical pieces depicting “Nessie.” (Photo by Luisa Loi)
Tiffany Scribner holds “Happy Traveler” while pointing at the ant. (Photo by Luisa Loi)
Scribner adjustes one of her framed art pieces. (Photo provided)
