Vicki Bates

Vicki Bates completed her education and formal art training at the University of North Alabama, where she received a Bachelor of Science degree with a concentration in Commercial Art. After graduation, all roads led to the photographic arts, even though her formal training was in commercial art and graphic design. Vicki contends that her training in graphic design has been an asset in all areas of her art, from commissioned portraits, photographic portraits and geometrical whimsical art.

Since 1989, she has specialized in traditional hand tinted and brush painted photographs. Vicki has also owned a traditional black and white and color printing lab, where she specialized in the printing and retouching of archival, fiber based prints and package photography. Vicki also dabbles in shooting her own photography, mainly as reference material for her paintings. She currently has two working studios: a home based studio at her home in Alabama and a resident artist studio at the Lowe Mill Arts and Entertainment Studios in Huntsville.

Artist Statement:

What keeps me a lifelong student of art is portraiture. I am fascinated by how light and shadow react on a surface to create the most subtle forms or striking contrasts. I strive to realistically interpret form, while enhancing the subject to create a more visually pleasing portrait.

My whimsical cows and other animals are a departure for me, but one that I really enjoy. The idea for my whimsical paintings came from some old doodles I had drawn in the mid 90's. I found little bits of paper with all these strange little characters that I had forgotten about, and was amused and inspired to put them to canvas and wood panel. I haven't completed the entire set, but I look forward to adding to this collection. I call the cow painting collection, "Streamline Bovine," a name that I had jotted down next to one of the doodles.