We were lucky to catch up with Thomas Duffy recently and have shared our conversation below.

Thomas, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Earning a full time living from one’s creative career can be incredibly difficult. Have you been able to do so and if so, can you share some of the key parts of your journey and any important advice or lessons that might help creatives who haven’t been able to yet?

I graduated Kutztown University in 1987 with BFA In Communication Design. I completed with a beautiful portfolio and all communication design projects executed by hand without computer programs. At that time, every add in the Help Wanted required computer programing experience. I was at a huge disadvantage in not having the computer experience. So I worked in the family catering business in sales and banquet management.

The late 1980s I shifted working for art galleries specializing in Contemporary Fine Art and American Crafts. 1996, I shifted into non profit sector working fund raising and event coordinating for museum and school. 2005, I returned to private sector as Director of Antique painting gallery specializing in 20th Century and Contemporary American and European paintings. September of 2008 Market Crash, the gallery I was working in center city Philadelphia closed and retreated to the suburbs. I was out of a job in in fine arts industry and a market that was not going to bounce back quickly. I took some time wokring part time in catering and decided to switch my career to Therapeutic massage and when to school in 2010.

2011, Thom Duffy Massage Therapy LLC was established. I worked part time a few months in Spas and Chiropractor offices while building my private practice. By 2012 I was working full time supported by my massage practice in my home. I also offer outcalls to folks who do not have the mobility to access the treatment room on the second floor of my row home.

Throughout all the years I continued drawing, painting and curating shows in small business venues in Philadelphia. Hair salons, taprooms, eateries and other small businesses that attracted young professionals who were selfcare and fine art culturally minded.

The Covid Pandemic hit March of 2020 shutting down my therapeutic massage business. I was able to collect unemployment compensation as a self employed business. My massage business was able to reopen August of 2020. The virus still required everyone to maintain social distancing and vaccines were still not available. The fear of COVID19 contact prevented my massage business from returning to 100% quickly. It actually did not return to 100% until mid 2023. Working in my home many healthcare professionals and others came to me knowing that practicing safe COVID19 restrictions protocol would keep us all safe – and it did. Today, my massage business has returned stronger that ever and is up 100+!

All during the Pandemic, I was making more and more art of my own art. Early on in my career as a young painter, I started a series of pet portraits. I love doing them and enjoy seeing the delighted response when folks who commissioned them came to pick up their family pets’ portrait. The smiles and delighted reaction are everything.

I also began networking virtually with zoom meetings with the awesome folks at the Fairmount Water Works Interpretive Center. That connection was nurtured by my friendship with Ed Grusheski who was the Director of the FWWIC for many years. I am now the Resident Curator at the Fairmount Water Works. My fine arts business developed and grew during the pandemic and Thom Duffy Fine Art LLC was established in 2023.

Both businesses are extremely creative by nature. Whether I am in the art studio, FWWIC exhibition space or treatment room servicing a massage and energy session – my creative energy is focused and making magic happen.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

My previous reply to questionnaire touched on many points to this question. So additionally, I will share what inspires me to curate, paint and draw and my choice of materials and mediums.

My drawings, paintings and work has always been very personal to me in regards to subject and execution. Pet portraits will always be a fun and favorite subject to capture. I work from photos provided by the commission client. I ask for a few photos to get a good sense of personality and color of eyes and fur. As far as people, I really enjoy figure drawing and painting. Folks either model clothed or nude for figure studies. I prefer working form life rather than a photo for people. I have done a memorial portrait of a dear friend from a few photos I had of him. I love Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and nature which are also common themes to my sketches and painting. Many of my urban scenes are from photos I have taken during my explorations bicycling or walking. I love color and Mid Century Modernists European and American artists and their works I look too for inspiration.

My main medium of choice in my early works was mostly oil on canvas or wood panel. I enjoyed classical studio training during my academic years and returning to it while working at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts. I love the instantaneous satisfaction of direct painting with oils. When I started up my massage business I switched to water base works as not to have oils and cleaner fumes permeating through my house and massage studio. Clean up is also easier and faster which is important when working in the painting studio between massage sessions. Current works are mixed media of graphite, watercolor with acrylic glazes on watercolor paper. I live in a small row home in South Philly and the work I produce is made to fit in that scale of home. I do work with oil pastels now and then which I enjoy on canvas and wood panels. Some older works I revisit and revive to a more complete state.

My curating energy is focused to 2D multidisciplinary works that speak to nature, land, water, wildlife, environmental issues and how people impact the Planets sustainability.

How did you build your audience on social media?

My social media platforms are Facebook and Instagram. On Facebook I have a personal profile Thom Duffy. And two business profiles; Thom Duffy Fine Art and Thom Duffy Massage Therapy.

When I started Facebook in 2008 with my personal profile I started up a group called Philadelphia Art Depot. The group is for Philadelphia area artists, galleries, community art centers and museums. All are invited to post art related news to promote their works, exhibitions and opens calls for artists to submit to juried shows. The group has grown with thousands of members and popular for posting art news. I have many members who are active in the group posting news and making comments on many of the posts. I feel good that it promotes a diverse group of artists and art institutions in the tristate area.

My TDFA business profile has a strong following too. I mostly post images of new works with captions that include title, materials and size. I post from my personal profile and check in at my TDFA profile. I find the business profiles are limited in reaching a larger audience when posting there solely. My personal profile following of friends is larger number than followers on both my business accounts.

I post to Facebook and most of the times the posts also land on Instagram. I am not a fan of Instagram as I feel followers just scroll and press the heart button. My Facebook posts with images have a lot of written content too which is important for followers to read. When I post exhibition news for the Fairmount Water Works I also use the check in option.

I suggest starting off building an audience on your personal FB account. If that grows w followers and likes then consider stating a business account. I do not pay for boosting posts. It does not seem to warrant investing since I am not doing any kind of direct sales in posts only promotion shows and events. I do not hashtag as I find it to be a wast of time.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

I find that being an artists is about being part of a strong, supportive and nurturing community. My longest relationships are directly connected to the fine arts community in Philadelphia since the later 1980s. It is a community that feels like family.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thom_duffy/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thom.duffy1
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomduffy64/