We recently connected with Thomas Myers and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Thomas, thanks for joining us today. Day to day the world can seem like a tough place, but there’s also so much kindness in the world and we think talking about that kindness helps spread it and make the world a nicer, kinder place. Can you share a story of a time when someone did something really kind for you?

While at an Engineering Conference in DC. I decided to go to the Smithsonian Museum and see the Art of the Past. While there I saw some I liked very much and I bought a Print of One. When I got home I went to a Frame shop and had it framed. All of this got me inspired to get more involved in the Art World. So I took Classes at our local Art Museum the Flint Institute of Art. Also I Joined local Art groups. Every Morning I surfed the Internet for Art I liked. I got the App. for Instagram and got on it so I could Post my progress in making Oil Paintings. I also developed a web site then. I started Selling to interested people. These people told other people and now I do quite well.

Thomas, 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?

The kind of Art that makes me feel the best is Impressionistic Art and that is the style I try to Paint most of the time. I employ a simple adage associated with Representational Impressionism: Shape is the identifying component, Value {light & Dark} gives Depth and Form, and Color is Emotion. A simple Silhouette, lacking value and color, is recognizable. When value is added, it becomes sculptural. Add color and a specific time of day, and Mood can be felt Also I love to Paint Plein-Air outside in the Field or Park etc. I think when Painting people need to think more about the Theatrical elements than making the design look exactly like the scene in front of you. You must pull from a scene the inspiration necessary for motivation, but retain the license to alter, exaggerate, and manipulate what ever may need to be done to communicate your artistic intent. My ideas come from my experiences in Cities in which I have lived as well as the countryside where we get our food. Our societies are full of shapes and lines, such as houses, doors, windows and fences. Those are my compositions. I represent the times in which we live, but at the same time, my work should be timeless. Spiritually, art should bring the past and the present worlds together. I hope people will say my Paintings were unselfconscious portrayals of common things–farmers at work, people at parties, children at play, and celebrations. In my mind, these things represent the meaning of life. When I was younger I was wounded in Viet Nam in 67 and it has effected my life ever since. They’re is beautiful things and scenes to see and live. When mistakes are made in life correct them and move on and love life.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

My small company is just me and my art. 81% of the of our population says the Arts are a “positive experience in a troubled world” I learn a lot and get inspired by my peers. The Arts drive Tourism and Revenue to the local Businesses. University of Pennsylvania researchers have demonstrated that high concentration of the arts in a city leads to higher civic engagement, more social cohesion, higher child welfare, and lower poverty rates. I enter a lot of Art Shows and they are Juried. When they are Juried by people who are appreciate good Oil Paintings I usually do well. I have had some 1st and 2nd.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

To me the most important thing about art is in making it. Nearly one half of the nations healthcare institutions provide arts programming for patients, families, and even staff. 78% deliver these programs because of their healing benefits to patients–shorter hospital stays, better pain management, and less medication.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: thomaslmyers.com
• Facebook: Thomas livingston myers.com
• Linkedin: thomas myers

Image Credits
These were all done by me in Oil on Canvas.