Tint of Ink debuted in 2015 to launch a creative platform and give a voice to artists and writers of Newfoundland Labrador with a slight personalized twist.
An online paper that speaks with the people of NL and hears their stories from a different angle, while also providing writers with an opportunity to express.
Through the years, we have had constant content from across the island, while other times we have been slow to produce pieces. That’s been the point of the whole initiative, when the timing is right for the producers, they can write whenever it feels right. No harsh deadlines, no extreme measures, just simple expression. An outlet outside of the typical bureaucratic constraints, that allows everyday people to remain dedicated to the working grind, but also fill the creative void on their own terms after hours.
However, the majority of the writing is left to one solo creator: me.
My name is Gina Gill and I am a journalist. While I attended school to become a writer, by day, I work for a non-profit. The majority of the time, the functioning and content of Tint comes directly from me during my free time. Which I love – it’s my own creation to keep connected to the stories of the people of my home, but also remain attuned and engaged with writing and art.
Last year, we came out with a blast just before the redesign. I spoke with many people: I talked to outside voices about Muskrat Falls, I chatted with Bob the Drag Queen about her show in St. John’s, Shawn Majunder called me from California about his HATE tour, I revisited Mark’s Critch’s childhood with him, talked to folks about album releases, book debuts and learned about the many forms of artwork and design taking place in Newfoundland.
Tint is a way to keep the conversation open and continuous between myself and my home.

However, in August 2018 we had our second child. Andy Hartmann roared into this world with a high piercing yelp and he didn’t stop screaming for six months. While I had expected to run Tint of Ink with a cooing baby in one arm and a laptop in the other, Andy had to fiercely make room in this world and let everyone know he was here. AND he was pissed about it. Unlike his older sister, who is now 8, who sauntered out defiantly, but quietly, I had expected to get so much more done.
At first I pumped out articles with a vengeance, wanted to make sure Tint remained a place to tell the stories of Newfoundland and Labrador as well as a creative outlet for those needing a space to share their work and art. Four months into my constant updates and content, Andy went on strike and decided that sleep was no longer a household option.
Between returning to work, never sleeping, learning how to juggle two kids and sanity, Tint was put on the back burner. We updated the look and my grand super talented friend Rob Rogers, designed new geographical logos. However, after the redesign, we took a step back to rest, bike, hike, read, sometimes sleep, drink pounds of coffee, and recharge as a family.

We will now be returning on a full time basis, as much as we can. To those of you who were interviewed without a release, I promise it’s coming and I look forward to the many stories to come. To those of you who have remained dedicated to the site – thank you.
Keep reading – there will be more great Newfoundland pieces to come.
If you have an idea for a story or would like to be featured on our website, please contact me: ginagillhartmann@gmail.com or through any social media platforms @tintofink
Check out more of Rob’s designs @waldorfcrane and check out some of his pieces here
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