Theresa Bates is a local artist, originally from New York, but now lives close-by in Roxbury, CT. She says her craft is her ability to create through different mediums and repurposed materials. Art for Theresa is a way of expressing herself in another, deeper level. Theresa has recently been drawn to Native American Art and the symbolism that comes with such a specific form of storytelling. For Theresa, her own storytelling has taken many forms throughout her years as an artist, such as object sculptures, collages, large paintings, wood and clay sculptures, expansive murals, and even some CD cover art.

Theresa says she can’t exactly pinpoint when she started; her skillset has been embedded within her for as far back as she can remember. She believes her special method that sets her apart from other artists is that she sees the possibilities in everything. She recalls her “Dumpster Series”—which can be found on her website—that was inspired by her observations of beauty of the inside of an old dumpster.

Theresa most usually takes inspiration from people and nature. She loves to observe life and being able to move through it; she uses art as a way to express what is going on around her.