A photography exhibit featuring wildlife, landscapes, people and pets is now on exhibit at the Bama Theatre. The works are by local artist Tina Dubose and will be on display in Greensboro Room until July 31.
Dubose was inspired to further her artistic interest from her mother, Jean Ignatz, an artist who works in various forms of media such as oil painting, sculpting, pastels and basket weaving.
“I look for the abstract in nature and will wait endlessly for God’s creatures to strike the right pose that will give me the composition that I need before taking the shot,” Dubose said.
Dubose, a native of Tuscaloosa, moved back to the city from Florida when her mother opened a pet store in Northport. While living in Florida, she was an employee of Palm Beach Zoo, furthering her love of animals and wildlife. After working for 12 years at Tidmore Veterinary Hospital, Dubose decided to pursue her love of photography full-time.
Although Dubose enjoys photographing animals, she likes venturing into other subjects and is looking to broaden her horizons.
“As much as I love animals, I don’t limit myself to one subject,” she said. Dubose strives to convey her inspiration from the beauty of nature and life in her her artwork.
“It is my hope that it will be God in heaven that gets the glory if anyone sees my work, and that they will be reminded of just what a mighty God he is,” she said.
Sharron Rudowski, education director of the Tuscaloosa Arts Council, met Dubose through church 15 years ago and has watched her friend’s art evolve.
“Tina learned photography on her own, and I was continually amazed at what she was able to capture, particularly in wildlife,” Rudowski said.
She said she has many favorites from Dubose’s collection, but personally asked Dubose to include in the exhibit the piece titled “Watering Hole Standoff,” a buffalo grazing with a halo geese walking single file in the tall grasses of the background.
“The thing I like most about Tina’s work is her ability to wait for that moment in nature and capture it in a photograph for the rest of us to enjoy,” Rudowski said.
Dubose is planning to further her photography through capturing events, weddings and families in a natural environment outside of a studio. Her work has given her an understanding for what it takes to capture a photo with a true impact. Dubose said her advice for any aspiring photographer is to develop a keen eye for details.
“There are a lot of books and programs online that help, and there are many good cameras to choose from. I have learned that the most important thing is to develop an eye for it,” she said.
Prints of each photo at the exhibit will be available for purchase in various sizes. A reception celebrating the exhibit will be held July 15 in the Greensboro Room at 2:00 p.m.
Exhibit galleries are open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. – noon and 1 p.m. – 4 p.m. For more information, visit the Tuscaloosa Arts Council website at tuscarts.org.
