Notary In Your Space | Tina Flood

There was no doubt that it was still a summer morning when I made the drive to Tina’s home. Though the clouds were out, which inspired us both to easily drop deep into the coziness we knew was right around the corner. Gregory Alan Isakov’s Weatherman was on the record player, radiating calm within walls that feel as welcoming and warm as one of Tina’s hugs, (you’re lucky if you know what I mean).  

I’m grateful to have been invited into this artist’s home and to be able to share it with you today, (on her birthday). Read on and be prepared to come away with the inclination to nurture something outside of yourself. 

Welcome to our series latest Journal series where we will be inviting you into the homes of our beloved team members and closest friends. Get an intimate glimpse of our people in their places.

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Hi hi!!!! My name is Tina!

I am a multimedia artist with an extensive interest in most things. Music, art, sports, food, natural sciences… I’m easily amused and eager to learn. My pals would say I’m hardworking and my mom would say so too. I love watching cartoons and cuddling with my cat! My boyfriend Corbin is my best friend. I love all of my family and my chosen family more than life!  

Since Corbin and I got together we have always thought about how cool it would be if we had a house to ourselves. This is a brand new experience for us as we take care of our garden, the basement, our greenhouse, and so many other little (and not so little) things! The street is quiet and the neighbors are lovely. The kiddos love to walk past the bright blue exterior and to draw with chalk out front while parents sit on the bench and read from our little free library. I think most importantly our cat, Archy, fell in love with the space immediately! Especially since he has his very own “catio” that looks out to the backyard. All in all we’ve grown accustomed to this sweet little space and love hosting our friends and family, too. Nothing short of special!

  I love finding the weird and the colorful. Most of the things I have on display are pieces I’ve held onto since college once I started developing my own taste. Everything since then has been picked to accompany those things. My grandma has always said, “if you don’t love it, leave it!” I live by that! I’m not a big spender, so second-hand and thrifting is a must! Everything that I bring into the home is pure love and gut instinct. 

I’d say my personal style is a mesh of everything I have ever loved with an emphasis on comfort. I’m not afraid to mix patterns, colors, and textures. All of those things are crucial for me to feel comfortable and creative! When you’re surrounded by diversity everything else comes to light! When it comes to meshing with my partner, we share that love of colors and textures so it’s not hard to pick things together or separately! We lean towards natural browns, greens, oranges, and blues. Then pops of purple, red or pink using books, planters, and other found trinkets! We’ve had so much fun putting our space together :)

My one advice, (for curating your space), is to go with your gut! Your body typically tells you more than what your brain can. If the body is comfortable your brain probably is, too! If I overthink on a vase or set of cups it create doubt! Which means more than likely it’s not really for me.

Tina had just recently begun experimenting with oil paints before I came to visit. Her second piece was in progress, and I got to capture some of her process. Follow @floodzone_art to see more of her work

My sweet studio is a direct representation of me! Organized, clean, and full of little things that make a whole. I am constantly inspired by my interests, and having little pieces around me that highlight those interests and experiences is so much fun! The tiny metal Liberty Bell represents my time in Philly, the Japanese glasses I kept from going to Japan, letters from my love when I moved here to Portland, and my trusty wooden desk I kept from when I was young. I adore it all <3

When you came over I was spinning the record Weatherman by the lovely Gregory Alan Isakov! I discovered his music when I was in middle school. I always put him on when I wanted to relax, draw, do puzzles, or any other method of calming myself down. I am fully embracing the coziness that fall will bring and Isakovs music takes me to that mindset!

Thank you, Tina!  It has been a treat to watch you and Corbin create your first home together. Can’t wait to return.

written by Roe