Frank Tebay

Tinker (Frank Tebay Jr) hails originally from Duluth MN and lived in Minnesota for 25 years. In that time, he had acquired a vast art background. Relocated to Colorado from 2008 to 2022, he expanded these to pursue a vision: To cultivate and encourage others as they strive to become the best version of themselves.

Tinker believes there is endless opportunity to learn, and master skills that allow each person to follow their passion. He sees in this a great opportunity to craft our lives and impact the world and observed our cultural beliefs that often tell us we are limited. His personal response to this is an invitation “It is never too late to learn and transform” and his anthem… “…It’s time for a personal Renaissance.”

He emerged in Lake of the Woods high school as a visual artist and drew the attention of many contributors such as the Lake of the Woods Art Guild, Region 2 Arts council, as well multiple area Artists. Numerous scholarships through the years to expand his art background.

In 1997, he was awarded a scholarship to study Renaissance realism painting and came face to face with modern Renaissance master Frank Covino. Covino bestowed personal scholarship to Frank and would continue to do so over a ten-year period. In that time, the master, identifying a heart and gifts for teaching, urged the apprentice to consider teaching. Covino’s remarkable legacy was adopted eagerly by the young apprentice and peers began to refer to him as “Little Frank.”

Attending trade school for Graphic Design (Moorhead MN), he began instructing (Fargo ND) in 2002. Following local news exposure, The Plains Art Museum, in cooperation with community education, invited Frank to teach before relocating to Littleton CO in 2008.

Plains Art Museum