We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Channel Guice Thomas a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Channel , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.
In 2021 I resigned from my career as an art teacher to attend fashion school full time. It was scary because I have a son in college and a daughter heading to college soon, and they will of course need financial support. I weighed mh options and went back and forth about my decision, but I realized it was time to start living the life I wanted and acheive the goals I created as a younger me. 2 weeks b
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
I’m a New Orleans girl who loves celebrating my city. The music, food, traditions, and culture all converge in my work, which I describe as visual rhythms. From a young age, creativity has been the driving force in my life, thanks to the support of my family. They always encouraged me to explore my artistic talents and provided me with various tools and space to further develop my skills. I was allowed to be creative without restrictions, and that gave me the confidence to be bold in my ideas, and not worry about limitations.
As I ventured into high school, my passion for art led me to pursue further study. The high school I attended offered courses in commercial art, which solidified the possibility of being an artist for more than a hobby. I learned about various art careers, terms, techniques, and began to learn about other artists.
A pivotal moment in my artistic journey came when I received the invitation to apply to an organization known as Young Aspirations/Young Artists (YAYA Is an internationally known non-profit youth organization known for hand-painted furniture.) This opportunity catalyzed my blossoming as an artist. I began to forge my skills and signature style within a community of kindred spirits. I found a haven where creativity knew no bounds, and our collective talents were nurtured and celebrated. YA/YA was a young artists’ playhouse. There were so many tools available to be creative, and we could be there for hours and hours together. I began selling my work as a professional artist and traveling the world speaking about it.
When I was 17, I was introduced to Viktor Sarjano, a Batik artist from Indonesia. I studied the technique from him for two years. We collaborated on many pieces and Batik became my favorite. I still worked with other mediums, but I was intrigued by the process. I only made them at that time for wall exhibition.
Pairing my textiles with my mother’s sewing skills allowed me to wear my designs. I would make a few yards of Batik, for her to transform into garments for me in exchange for some fabric for her garments.
(Backstory: My mom made all of our special outfits growing up. I have an older sister and my mom made all of her dresses for the school dances, church events, and any time we wanted something special. It was magical because I watched her create beautiful three-dimensional gowns from simple flat fabrics. We were sure not to have to worry about having the same dress as someone else because my mom had gifted hands, which she inherited from her mother, who also sewed. Although I knew a little bit about sewing from watching my mom, I never desired to pick up that skill. It seemed like so much work and I was not into anything that involved that many different steps. She would occasionally ask for help with cutting or pinning something, and it always felt like a boring chore.)
In 2002, I took a break from public exhibitions and full-time art to start a family. I found other ways to be creatively expressive and began my career as an art teacher.
(My husband/“high school sweetheart” is also a YA/YA We’ve been married almost 22 years, and have a son and daughter together. We met at YA/YA and attended the same high school but he was 2 years ahead of me.)
In 2010 I was invited to have a solo exhibition in two galleries at McNeese University. I had to create work for the exhibition, and that reignited something for me. I didn’t know what I was missing by not allowing myself to create. As a teacher, I was creating sample artwork for my students’ projects, but it didn’t compare. I decided to always create work even if I didn’t plan on showing it. It was about the process for me. Batik is so grueling and laborious, I don’t understand why I love it so, but I missed it. So I continued to make work.
In 2014, I started to create bigger pieces. I wanted more of my clothes. People began to notice, and inquire about them, which prompted me to explore products that I could offer to others. I began with hand-wrapped bracelets, and she made purses, and other small accessories for me to sell.
(We moved in 2015 to California for him to re-enroll in OTIS College of Art and Design for his degree in Toy Design. He graduated in 2018 and currently teaches at OTIS and maintains his own art/design practice in Los Angeles. Our son is in college pursuing a degree in Sports Psychology, and our daughter is finishing her Sophomore year in high school.)
As we created more products, I knew I wouldn’t burden my mom forever, and she needed to be relieved. I was circling back to sewing after she could have taught me properly all those years. 2016 led to introductory sewing classes where my confidence and skills grew. I took sewing classes at night while teaching art to K-4 during the day. During the school year, I made garments from the Batiks I created during the Summers. I visited New Orleans in the Summer and I exceeded my goal of 20 yards during my two-week vacation. Every year I would stack fabrics like that until I opened my studio in Hawthorne which gave me outdoor space to work.
Still teaching K-4 and having a studio seemed to be the perfect balance of my art practice and my home life. Shortly after the pandemic ended, our building was sold and I had to close my studio. After having taught through the pandemic and teaching post-pandemic, I was coming to need a break. The slowdown of life put things into perspective for me, and In 2021 I knew it was time to take a break and treat myself to something I wanted to do. I wanted to go and study things I was interested in.
For over 20 years, I have been perfecting my approach with Batik. I’m at the intersection of tradition and innovation, blending ancient techniques with modern sensibilities to create pieces that are timeless and contemporary. The wax and dyes become my tools for storytelling, allowing me to weave narratives of joy, contemplation, and resilience into the fabric of each creation. Cotton, the humble fiber that forms the foundation of my craft, serves as a bridge between past and present, connecting me to generations past, while allowing me to explore new horizons of creativity. As I peel away the layers of wax to reveal the hidden treasures beneath, I am reminded of the layers of history and culture that shape my identity as an artist. Every crack and imperfection tells a story, adding depth and character to the finished piece. Batik forces me to embrace the imperfections within myself and still appreciate the beauty.
what type of products/ services/creative works you provide, what problems you solve for your clients and/or what you think sets you apart from others?
At my core, I’m an artist, driven by self-expression and discovery, with fashion design as my secondary passion. The meticulous discipline involved in garment creation resonates deeply with me. I know how clothes can transform people, and I create that experience with my wearable art. My clients receive a beautiful hand-crafted original garment created especially for them. But most importantly, they receive the energy, passion, and love infused into my work as well. In New Orleans, we have a saying, “If you look good, you feel good”. You’re gonna look good no matter what when wearing my garments, the feel-good part comes from within.
I have a variety of products ranging from metal jewelry, sweatshirts, t-shirts, accessories, hand-painted hair beads, Bespoke garments, and ready-to-wear. In addition to creating garments from the fabric I make, I also upcycle clothing. I feel it is important to help reduce the amount of clothing that ends up in landfills.
My brand is channelguice collective. I offer unique products crafted with care. I serve my clients as a professional artist and fashion designer, although I don’t claim to know everything. It’s exciting when clients bring me their ideas, even if they seem impossible, as it keeps me inspired and motivated. I enjoy bringing ideas to life when working with new clients. There’s nothing like finding that perfect something to wear for an occasion. I like to think I fulfill that need. I have designed garments for many occasions for others, and I ensure they are satisfied with my work.
During the pandemic, I secured a space in a coop store in Leimert Park, where some products can be purchased. I plan to fully launch all products on my website by 2025. I am still concentrating on school, until June, and will break away for the Summer to take time to prepare for the launch.
Tell us the story of a risk you’ve taken – it could be a big, life changing risk or a small risk. Either way, paint the picture for us, tell us the backstory and all the relevant details so we can fully understand the context and circumstances around when and why you took the risk and tell us how it turned out.
In 2021 | resigned from my career as an art teacher to attend fashion school full-time. After teaching in both public and private schools for 13 years, and throughout the pandemic, I decided it was time to take a break. I loved being an art teacher. but I felt like it was time to focus solely on being an artist for a bit. It was scary because I have a son in college and a daughter heading to college soon, and they will of course need financial support. I weighed my options and went back and forth about my decision, but l realized it was time to start living the life I wanted and achieve the goals I created when I was younger. Two weeks before the start of the new school year I enrolled at SMC in Fashion Design. Because I create textile designs, my goal was to learn garment construction to expand my art practice. I took classes I was interested in in addition to the fashion design curriculum. I studied glass blowing, jewelry making, costume design, African dance, and so many other art classes that I am also eligible to receive a degree in Studio Arts.
In Spring 2023 I participated in the SMC LAMODE fashion show, and I won the top awards for Technical Excellence and Outstanding Achievement. I have been an honor student every semester and will be graduating in June with honors. Taking the risk to leave my career and begin another was a big gamble, and I am grateful it paid off. I decided that I owed it to myself to achieve my goals and I put the work in, and I could not be more proud of myself for making it happen. Although fashion design is not my main interest, I am appreciative of the clients I have gained since learning garment construction. I love interacting with people through my work, and people like to look good.
In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?
In my opinion, society can help empower artists and creatives by implementing a combination of initiatives. First, I believe it’s crucial to advocate for art education in schools. As a former art teacher, I have evidence of how it enriches our lives. Encouraging society to explore artistic disciplines and engage with different forms of expression not only nurtures creativity but cultivates empathy, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills. Secondly offering financial support through grants and funding opportunities can help alleviate the financial pressures artists encounter. Creating accessible spaces and ensuring the availability of resources are also key factors in nurturing a thriving creative ecosystem.
Additionally, providing artists with the recognition and respect they deserve for their invaluable contributions is essential. Everything in our lives has to be designed by someone, and being a skilled artist takes dedication to the craft. Collaborative projects and community initiatives provide more places for artists to show their work, and establish a network of like-minded people. Lastly, advocating for policies that protect artistic expression and support the needs of artists is vital for sustaining a vibrant artistic community. All of these factors working together help to create a flourishing creative ecosystem and culture that values and celebrates art.
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?
My art is not just a product of my hands; it is an extension of my identity, a reflection of the innermost parts of me.
When it comes to expressing myself through art, using various mediums allows me to visually convey my thoughts and emotions. I find therapeutic release from transforming moments of joy, pain, and contemplation into tangible forms that speak volumes without speaking. I can surrender to the flow of inspiration, allowing it to guide me on a journey of self-discovery and expression. The most rewarding thing for me as an artist is creating something from within that other people can resonate with and find joy in.
I am a storyteller, a philosopher, and a provocateur. Through my art, I seek to challenge perceptions, provoke thought, and inspire change. Whether through bold visuals that demand attention or subtle nuances that beckon exploration, I strive to ignite conversations, spark curiosity, and awaken the dormant passions that lie within each viewer.
Contact Info:
- Website: channelguice.com
- Instagram: channelguice/channelguicecollective
- Other: All social media is Channel Guice, but it isn’t updated. I have accounts across all platforms.
Image Credits
Hal Banfield Tanaka Nagisa Channel Thomas