I have always had a creative gift that has blessed my life. My childhood was one of your basic misunderstood artistic kid in a "bad situation" endeavors to persevere. I grew up in a rough neighborhood in LA and used my gifts artistically to survive in a gang infested area until I was old enough to leave home. I was awarded a full scholarship to Pasadena Art Center at the age of 16 but was unable to attend due to obligations to the family construction business. I joined the USAF at 19 and served my country for 4 years as a Firefighter at Nellis AFB in Las Vegas Nevada.
At 26 years old I found myself the single parent of a 5 year old little girl and once again my obligation as a parent changed my plans of a career as a Firefighter. This blessing, that at the time might have been in disguise, led me to start a landscape company. I fell back on my artistic gifts and construction knowledge. By 2002 my little landscape company had become a very successful, 10 out of 10 award winning garden design and build firm.
With my Daughter at age 13 and being a "teenager" I decided to get her out of the "Las Vegas" environment. I shut down my company to focus my attention on being a good Dad and pick back up my art. Upon moving in 2004 to Wilderville Oregon I found the time and environment for both and have since produced a body of over 150 works. I also found a new passion for helping "troubled youth" which led me to start the What If Garden Foundation. This non profit organization inspires misunderstood artistic young people thru art, design and construction as a kind of therapy with the satisfaction of pride in workmanship.
With my daughter now 20 and doing fine, I have begun my life as an artist and facilitator/instructor of art/creating classes. I have been commissioned for murals, sculptures, water features and mosaics from Grants Pass Or., Redondo Beach Pier CA, Palm Desert CA, to Spokane WA. My paintings and sculptures have been shown in galleries and shows in corresponding cities as well as Venice Beach and Las Vegas. I have recently collected most of my works together to be shown in Grants Pass at the Loft Salon, Boutique and Fine Art Gallery.
Artist statement:
I have tried to use my art to tell stories and find most of my work searches for truths in the great mystery regarding purpose and direction in life. Unity tends to be the underling theme with musical and sometimes humorous undertones. Visions and dreams are also represented in a lot of my work as well as inspiration from Hubble telescope pictures that remind me to remain humble. As a child I wanted to become a fireman, an architect, and an artist, to quote Chagal, "To become a great artist, one must first become a great human being"….maybe a great human being is all I'm really trying to be at this time.
Tim Piper
And now for a show! Note: Due to limits of technology these beautiful examples are just that and not near as impressive and detailed as the real thing...
