We were lucky to catch up with Madison Tompkins recently and have shared our conversation below.
Madison, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Let’s jump back to the first dollar you earned as a creative? What can you share with us about how it happened?
The day your dog dies is always difficult. I remember the day Champ died and I’m sure you remember that day if you’ve lost a pet. It was this feeling that hit me as a coworker told me they’d said goodbye to their family dog the night before.
I had been painting consistently that year and figured that a painting of her dog, Big, would make a great gift. I figured a colorful portrait would be a good way to remember their pet with joy.
I worked on the painting for a few days and brought it into work. She seemed excited at the surprise. I had never seen anyone react to my art like that – just pure joy.
This is what led to the first dollar I’d ever made from painting. Her excitement got others interested in my dog portraits. I had another coworker ask me, “How much would it be for me to have a dog portrait for my friend?”
At the time, I didn’t know what to say. But I told her a number – one that seemed high. Despite the high price, she agreed! Strangely enough, it was for another dog that had passed away. It wasn’t until a few commissions later that I actually painted a living dog.
It felt validating as an artist to have people react so positively to my art. But more than that, it encouraged me to know that my art could bring so much joy and comfort in a difficult time.
Madison, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
My name is Madison Tompkins and I’m an artist living just north of Atlanta, Ga. I love to make art, primarily paintings. Mostly, my art is about my faith. I love Jesus and am endlessly inspired by the stranger side of the Bible. The stories are larger than life and deeply intriguing. I hope my paintings can capture that same feeling.
Growing up in the Bible Belt, I frequently encounter people who’ve grown bored by the Bible. I hope my art allows them to see those stories in a fresh light. I’m also aware that many have never cracked the spine of a Bible and only know the stories by second and thirdhand account. I hope my work can draw them into the mystery and beauty of God.
Beyond that, I hope my art brings joy. That’s why I offer pet portrait commissions with a colorful twist. It might seem simple, but it really makes people happy – and it’s the most fun I have when painting anything! So I love doing it!
In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?
Buy art! Your house is a great place to hang art, but so is your workplace. If a piece impacts you, odds are it will impact someone else. Buying and hanging that piece somewhere is a chance to connect over what moved you, inspire others to create themselves, or simply to make a space look beautiful. Buying someone’s work encourages them and validates their pursuit more than you could ever realize. If you see something beautiful at a fair, on Instagram, or in a gallery, buy it! If it’s beyond your price range (let’s be real – art can be expensive) request a print from the artist or at least drop a comment letting them know how much you love their work.
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
I love knowing that an idea that only existed in my head has come to fruition. We all have things we noodle on. Things that might be hard to explain. Painting has given me an avenue to explain those things in a way I couldn’t otherwise express. I’m not finished with a painting until I can point at it and say “That! That right there is what I mean.” Then I’m able to move onto the next idea. I absolutely love the satisfaction of communicating something that, up to that point, felt so intangible.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://madmakingart.com
- Instagram: @madmazing
- Other: [email protected]
