Meet the ringmaster
Tiffany Lopes
Virginia Beach artist Tiffany Lopes brings personality-packed animals to life with bold color, charming expressions, and a love of puns. Every piece is designed to spark joy and add a playful touch to your home.
- 4kids
- 268paintings
- 1leap of faith
Her story
The story so far, in three acts.
Act one
Art was always there.
The passion for art has always been part of her.
Act two
Four kids came first.
A loving mother of four, she proudly dedicated herself to raising her children in the community she loves.
Act three
Then, the leap of faith.
Only recently did she take the leap and begin pursuing her art professionally. Now in her fifties, she paints the characters you see on this site.
Ink runs in the family: Tiffany is married to Virginia Beach tattoo artist Mattlock Lopes.
“Trust the journey.”
- On her dad’s painting from 1977
His painting has hung in my house for over 20 years and even made it through our house fire. I grew up with it on the wall, quietly reminding me that art ran in our family even if he never said it out loud.
- On making art in a full house
I’m over in my corner painting, while these two are at the counter working on their own art. He loves creating just as much as we do, and watching that passion grow in him is pretty amazing.
Art isn’t really something we have to make time for around here. It’s just part of our family.
- On where a painting starts
Sometimes the title comes first. Lei’d Back showed up in my head before I had any idea what the painting would look like. A few hibiscus flowers, a tropical sunset, a crab with sunglasses, and somehow it all started making sense.
- On the best part
Looking around a booth and realizing every painting started with a blank canvas… and an idea that somehow came to life.
Knowing those ideas can now make someone smile is the best part of what I do.
Behind the curtain
Where the characters come to life.
On film
Peeks and reveals.
Short videos from her Instagram. Each one opens there.
The cast
Animals with punchlines.
Bold color, charming expressions, and a title that is half the joke. Meet Elkon John, Edgar Allen Purr, Vincent Van Goat and the rest of the troupe.
Take one home
Three ways to own a piece of the show.
Originals
Every character started as a one-of-a-kind painting, and originals are sold by Tiffany herself.
Pet portraits and commissions
Tiffany paints pets to order. Send a note about what you have in mind, and a photo of your animal.
Prints and gifts
Canvas prints, framed posters, stickers and tote bags, made to order from her paintings.
On tour
Come say hello.
Meet Tiffany at a show, follow the new paintings on Instagram, or write to her.