We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Thomas Craley a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Thomas, thanks for joining us today. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?

Well, my intentions were never to do so. I had started posting my art on my Facebook page, and people instantly took a liking to it. My friends and family started purchasing my art or asking me to make things for them for their homes or as gifts. Then, one day I decided that I wanted to start doing craft and vendor shows and start selling my art. I was doing well, and was like, “Wow, I am really doing this!” Meanwhile, I was working as an auditor for a storage company and was really unhappy with my job. My partner and I talked about it, he agreed that things were happening quickly. He supported the decision. So, I put in my notice, finished out the month, and just went for it.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

Absolutely. So I had started acrylic pour painting journey around 2020. It started with me watching videos of people doing this art form that I had never heard of before and the results were stunning. I decided after a couple of weeks, that I was going to buy art supplies and give it a whirl. I started creating some art that I thought was pretty awesome. I quickly found that ready to pour paints were all different and depending on the brand it limited what you were able to do. So, I put countless hours into researching what other fluid artist were using and doing, making my own mixtures, finding out what worked best for me.

While I was doing all of my experimenting and creating, I was sharing my work on social media. In April of 2022 I started TC Acrylics, LLC.

Since then, I have displayed my work at numerous Toledo and Lima craft and vendor shows and have had art displayed at several business around town. I also partner with quite a few local business, weather it be for consignment, collaborating, or volunteering together to strengthen our small business and art community. I have also transitioned into doing more art related venues as well. I have been part of several exhibitions and collaborate and work alongside some of my towns greatest talents.

Most recently, I have begun teaching art classes. This is something that I decided to do because everyone would comment under a picture that I would post, “This is so cool, I wish could create something like that.” So I decided to share my journey with people of all ages and artistic abilities. Where my classes differ from other artist and classes, is you can be the artist you inspire to be without lifting a paintbrush. It gives the individual a sense of artistic freedom they may have never had before.

So moving forward I would like to continue what I am doing. I enjoy working with other artist and small business owners, I enjoy teaching, I enjoying working with my community. I am enjoying being an artist, and hope to continue sharing my adventures with you.

Are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

Yes, I recently completed a class that was sponsored by Mercy Health, several other donors and the public library. It was called “Get your Business Rolling”. This class allowed over 100 entrepreneurs and small business owners to get advice from great teachers and advisors that are there to help strengthen our communities. There are other mentorship programs that are available in your communities to help with any questions you may have regarding business. Also, some of the best advice you can get is from networking with other business owners and artist and see what they have done or resources they have used to help on their journeys. I have found there are more people than you think that are willing to guide and assist, but its not going to fall into your lap. You do have to do the footwork to find these opportunities.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

Most definitely the therapeutic side of art. Engaging in anything creative or expressive is a meditative process. It has taught me to focus my energy into what I am creating. it has helped with anxiety, stress and has aloud me to unburden myself and become a much lighter person.

Contact Info:

• Website: tcacrylics.com
• Instagram: instagram.com/tc_acrylics
• Facebook: facebook.com/tcacrylics

Image Credits
Israel Nichole Photography -Alyssa Martinez-Baker