We recently connected with Tatiana Thompson and have shared our conversation below.

Tatiana, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?

Originally, I hail from a small Utah town, nestled among beautiful mountains but lacking in artistic opportunities. Despite my fascination with the art world, pursuing it as a career wasn’t feasible there. At 18, I packed my bags and made the decision to move to Cheyenne, Wyoming.

Enrolling at Laramie County Community College, I delved into art classes that spring. Under two contrasting yet valuable instructors, I honed my skills and gained the confidence to pursue art professionally. Meeting numerous visiting artists and hearing their success stories, I realized my passion was worth pursuing.

One memorable teacher, Ron Medina, often quipped, “You have to understand the rules of art in order to break them.” His words resonated deeply, emphasizing the importance of knowing boundaries to transcend them. Five years and a couple of art degrees later, I emerged with a strong artistic foundation, thanks to their guidance and wisdom.

Tatiana, 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?

One aspect of myself is that I consider myself an art enthusiast, nature admirer, and avid coffee drinker. I enjoy testing out new ideas, and like many artists, I wish I could explore every art medium. My studio is a perpetual whirlwind of art supplies strewn about and works in progress. While Im an Utah native, I identify as a Wyoming artist, drawing inspiration from the western culture here in Cheyenne.

In a sense, it was a leap of faith into the art world. I applied for a videography internship, despite lacking skills in that area, because I believed in putting myself out there. Though I didn’t secure the internship, it led to a referral for an opportunity focused on emerging artists. Now, I serve as the Program Manager for Arts Cheyenne, a local non-profit supporting emerging artists and promoting arts and culture in our community. Additionally, I hold the positions of General Manager and Resident Artist for the newly opened brick and mortar western gallery Westward. I would say my advice to aspiring artists is to embrace opportunities and celebrate the small victories.

I’m most proud of making a difference in my community by offering workshops to those who might not otherwise have access and providing easily accessible educational experiences. Uplifting emerging artists and providing them with opportunities for recognition and appreciation is one of my passions.

As a visual artist, I specialize in palette knife painting with heavy body acrylics, reveling in the medium’s depth, textures, and vividness. While this is my primary focus, my interest in urban sketching and watercolor has broadened my artistic horizons and allowed for a new appreciation for the looseness of the medium.

What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?

The best way to offer support is to support local. Whether it’s buying handmade goods, attending art exhibitions and events, or spreading the word, your local creative community thrives on your backing. Without community support, it’s an uphill battle. In many ways, the art world has always been challenging, from advocating for funding to showing the positive impacts of the arts on people’s lives.

Any resources you can share with us that might be helpful to other creatives?

In many ways, social media can have negative aspects, but when viewed through a creative lens, it offers numerous outlets for inspiration, education, and connections. During the pandemic, I vividly recall seeing an influx of social media content from creatives, sharing their processes, behind-the-scenes glimpses, and various approaches to creativity. Inspirational stories emerged of individuals finding success in their artistic pursuits, alongside examples of failure shared for others to learn from. For anyone interested in art or pursuing artistic endeavors, I recommend observing what others are doing, learning from trailblazers, and drawing inspiration from their experiences. Art can be accessible to anyone with the drive and motivation to pursue it.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/painthouseart/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/painthouseart?mibextid=kFxxJD

Image Credits
Austin Babcock