We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful F. Thompson. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with F. below.

F., looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Are you happy as a creative professional? Do you sometimes wonder what it would be like to work for someone else?

I used to have a full-time job, and there was very little time for my own art. As much as I enjoyed my job I felt the need to spend more time creating and doing my own art. So I quit my job and used all my skills to make my art business work.
Some people asked me if I feel I can achieve success now that I am my own boss. In my mind, success is a very powerful word with many different interpretations.
I like interpreting “Success” rather than fame and money, to having a life with happiness and fulfillment. Creating and making art gives me this feeling of success.

Being an artist is very hard and at the same time very rewarding. It is hard because whether you are showing your art at a small arts festival or art gallery, you and your art are always being judged by experienced art connoisseurs and amateur art lovers. It is rewarding because I get to explore and express my inner fellings and thoughts through what I do, a privilege only a few groups in the workforce are able to put into practice.

I am a contemporary artist coming from a very traditional arts background.
I used to be a portrait artist, slowly my art started merging towards a more creative style. A style that isn’t always accepted or understood. The truth is I got bored painting only what I see and started allowing my art to become more fluid and letting my imagination determine the direction I should go.

In one of my most popular series, my cityscapes, I chose to paint buildings as true to their architectural form as possible, adding at least one 3D element, and geometric skies.

Being a full-time artist means you have to be stubborn at times, be taken by your passion, and have grit. Believing in what you do and what you want to express, knowing yourself, being yourself, and showing who you really are takes courage.
That is what an artist is made of: stubbornness, passion, and a lot of courage.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

As a child I was always involved in creative activities with the neighborhood kids. Drawing and painting has always been one of my passions. At the age of nine I received from my dad my first oil painting set in a wooden case with palette and had private art classes with local artists.

At fourteen in art school I began with portraits, and more traditional chains of art, which I loved. I had one very strict teacher, he was about 70 and not patient with mistakes. I am grateful to his demand for perfection.

During my exchange year in U.S., I helped my art teacher in several projects such as drawing and painting backdrops for dance recitals. That was my first experience with larger canvases.

During a school-wide art-competition in college within 80 contestants, three of four pencil pieces I entered, got first, second and forth places. This definitely motivated me to study more and paint more often.

Through the years my art developed. I discovered contemporary art. It’s like freedom in art, broader varieties and innumerous possibilities.

I was raised on the vibrant beaches of Brazil, my art is a celebration of life, expressed through tropical themes, maternal motifs, abstracts, and cityscapes.

My Mother-themed pieces are deeply personal. Born from the recent discovery that I was adopted as an infant. My art has become a vehicle for exploring my identity and emotions.

The Cityscapes series, showcases my love for Tulsa and Broken Arrow. With geometric backgrounds and texture, they capture the essence of this place I now call home.

While I have my preferred certain themes and mediums to work with, I am very comfortable experimenting with new materials, styles, and engaging in new projects.
I love working with colored pencils, clay, fiber art, and I recently completed illustrations for two children’s books.

As a local artist I feel driven to be an active community member. I love volunteering at local events, nonprofits, and you can sometimes find me in a classroom sharing my art with children. I have also curated art galleries creating opportunities for new artists.

My brand and signature F.Thompson Art can be found online as well as in shops and events around Tulsa.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

I was invited to be part of an arts festival about 15 years ago.
This festival happens once per year. And it costs a good fee.
The first year I set up my booth, brought my art and sold nothing. It was very disappointing.
Next year same thing. I decided to understand what people were successfully selling and what customers coming to that event were looking for.
The following year I realigned my offering to the audience’s interests.
Instead of larger painting I went with smaller pieces, and prints of my art.
Since then it has been one of my favorite place to sell my art.
Lesson learned, understand your audience and never give up!

Can you share one of your favorite marketing or sales stories?

About 10 years ago there was a call for Tulsa art at one of our arts venues in town. I submitted a piece called “Postcards of Tulsa” made of five attached canvases each depicting a different Tulsa cityscape. Each piece had a different colored geometric sky and a 3D element in relief.
As I do at many large exhibits, I stood aside, observing from a distance to see people’s authentic reactions as they see my art. This piece sold in the first 30 minutes of the event, and people were taking selfies with it all night. That is when I realized I was going the right direction, connecting emotionally with people through my art. Since then I have painted more than 20 different cityscapes in that same style. The prints of the cityscapes have also found their own market. I often receive photos from clients showing their colorful Tulsa walls of these prints, and making suggestions or question of what my next cityscape is going to be. This was the first time I participated of this exhibit, which happens every 2 years. I took a risk, and redesigned my arts path.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://FThompson.art
• Instagram: https://Instagram.com/FThompsonArt
• Facebook: https://facebook.com/FThompsonArt