Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Leigh Ann Thomas. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Alright, Leigh Ann thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.
When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?
Meaningful projects?
Do you wish you had started your creative career sooner or later?
Being an artist is simply part of who I am. My earliest memories of drawing go back to when I was four years old. It came to me naturally intuitively and effortlessly. I didn’t give it a thought, I just did it.
My mother took me with her to an adult watercolor class when I was 5. The teacher told her, it was ok as long as I didn’t interrupt the class. As I drew and painted along with her instructions of the Stilllife, the teacher then used me as an example of how to mix colors, apply the paints and use foreshortening, perspective and shadows in their paintings.
In grade school, I drew my classmates at their desks. I drew animals from encyclopedias, and at home, I would sketch my sleeping dog. I even gave lessons to my peers. Thier parents would drop them off at my house. I drew projects for my teachers and won a citywide contest in second grade with a drawing of my mother for Mother’s Day. When I was seven there was a drawing class on public television. They drew boxes, spheres, and cones with highlights and shadows.. I would rush home, grab my paper and pencils and draw along. That class taught me a lot. In high school, friends commissioned me to draw pictures of them and their boyfriends. Everyone told me I would be an artist when I grew up.
Once I reached college, life took over, and I put my art on the back burner. I dabbled in photography, tinted black-and-white photos, and worked as a makeup artist. As a single mom my children were my number one passion and focus. I took pastel commissions here and there for extra income but not as a daily practice.
It wasn’t until I was nearly 50 that I reentered the art world with intention, determined to pursue it seriously. I realized, besides my relationships, my fulfillment and sense of accomplishment were tied directly to creativity—and I knew it was time to fully embrace that part of myself. I was juried into a co-op gallery with talented nationally recognized artists. I realized I wasn’t alone in the need to create. I felt a resonance with them that I had not felt before.
I am now 60 and reconnecting with my art has brought my creative life fully into the present. I now paint in my living room, with a beautiful view of Table Rock Lake, never knowing what wildlife might appear outside my window.
Some of my work has found its way into high-end gift stores on the Branson Landing and I plan to pursue more licensing avenues. Most of my current business, however, comes from portrait commissions, which are incredibly fulfilling. Watching clients become overwhelmed with emotion and brought to tears when they receive their portraits, is deeply moving and always endearing to me.
One of the highlights of my artistic career was having my paintings selected by Walmart for national program where they were displayed as murals across three states.
Looking ahead, my next goal is to seek gallery representation that aligns with my vision and allows my work to reach a broader audience.
In addition, in more recent years, I discovered songwriting. It wasn’t planned—melodies and lyrics simply came to me as another outlet for expression. When I was on a walk or driving in my car I didn’t need brushes or canvases; I could paint in my mind and record the ideas on my phone. I joined the Nashville Songwriters Association International, and my first song, first demo, and first pitch was taken by Universal. Since then, I’ve received 11 “One to Watch” recognitions, which have motivated me to keep creating and exploring this path.
Stories for children’s books have been on my mind for many years, and that will be one of the next chapters in my creative journey.
Painting group and perpetual learning.
Joined creativity class
How songwriting came to play
NSAI
Realize another dream of writing and illustrating my children’s books in the future.
Leigh Ann, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
I’m a fine artist, oil painter I’m fascinated by every living thing in all of its uniqueness and stature. I try to capture the spirit and personality of my subject through their eyes.
I like to paint big with bright colors with a stylistic contemporary realism. I like to create feeling of depth in my paintings.
I paint from my experiences. I love people, places and animals and subjects that I find uniquely beautiful, peaceful, energetic and spiritual. My work is continually evolving.
I’m a member of Oil Painters of America and Best of Missouri Hands and many others.
You can find my available work on;
website
Leighannthomasfineart.com
Instagram
@Leighannthomasfineart
Facebook
Portraits By Leigh Ann
The easiest way to get ahold of me is through text 417-230-0140
email [email protected]
We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.
Resilience is necessary part of life. I’ve dealt with a lot in the last few years. I moved back to Missouri from California with undiagnosed health issues. I researched everything I could do to heal and got better.. Despite feeling bad I developed a habit to paint each day.
Then my daughter moved home from Australia and Covid hit. She stayed with me four years before moving to LA. What a gift to have her back in my daily life! !
During that time, I also moved my parents with Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s from Kansas and their five horses when I realized they couldn’t live by themselves anymore. Overnight, I became full-time caregiver yet I somehow kept creating. Sometimes the only quiet space I had to paint was in the bathroom.
That’s actually how songwriting started. I needed another creative outlet. I could tap into when I was in the car or on a walk and I didn’t have to drag my paint along. Creativity equals positivity in my life.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
Being compensated for something you enjoy even if it’s a lot of work is incredibly rewarding. When my kids were little we. used to have weekly parties and sleepovers at the house. One weekend they wanted. wanted friends over and order pizza at a time when things were tight. I remember getting a check in the mail for work I had done. We threw our hands in the air and said the parties on! Working at something fun creates more fun!
It’s also very rewarding seeing my children, proud, feeling a sense of accomplishment, and challenging myself to grow. Painting keeps my mind sharp. It’s like solving math problems all day long. I love knowing my work can live beyond me. Whether it’s with a grandchild I may never meet or even at a garage sale. Leaving something behind that others may find interesting feels meaningful
Are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?
The biggest thing I’ve learned is to ask questions and explore every opportunity. The more people you meet the more places you go the clear your path becomes. You have to take chances create a strong body of work and get out there however you can. Even small steps every day add up, you’ll get there. .
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Leighannthomasfineart.com
- Instagram: @leighannthomasfineart
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/leighann.thomas.129/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leigh-ann-thomas-38ba9b3b
- Youtube: https://youtu.be/IpTkf3TfC7A?si=GCjBRwY0qZTtE0P2
- Other: https://youtu.be/Qycl4TN0jCQ?si=jT_DWhLXNKdsw92H
https://www.linkedin.com/in/leigh-ann-thomas-38ba9b3b
Image Credits
Hanna Sher