We were lucky to catch up with Thyra Moore recently and have shared our conversation below.

Thyra, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Do you think your parents have had a meaningful impact on you and your journey?

The Impact of My Parents’ Support on My Life and Career

Our parents’ influence on our futures is profound. Reflecting on my journey, I’m reminded of Oriah Mountain Dreamer’s poem, “The Invitation,” particularly the line: “I want to know if you will stand in the center of the fire with me and not shrink back.”

My parents always stood by me, an unspoken assurance that gave me the confidence to pursue my dreams. Their belief in me fostered the mindset that I could achieve anything with determination and hard work.

Encouraged to pursue art, I earned a BFA from Tyler School of Art (in Philadelphia). A few years post-graduation, I left a lucrative ad agency job to start my own creative agency, despite knowing little about business. My decisions moving forward in life followed this “leap then look” philosophy because I believed that failure was not an option. Challenges were inevitable, but I faced them head-on, believing I would ultimately succeed.

In my early entrepreneurial years, I encountered obstacles, such as banks refusing business loans for women without a male co-signer—a fact I learned only recently. At the time, I didn’t realize women faced such barriers because of the belief my parents had instilled in me that I could accomplish anything. Their unwavering support and belief in my potential have been instrumental in shaping my life and career.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

My Journey: Some Lessons Learned

My belief in myself, instilled by my parents, laid the foundation for my creative journey. My creative agency thrived for decades, working with major companies in pharmaceuticals, chemicals, and consumer electronics. This taught me the importance of connections and collaboration—SUCCESS IS NEVER ACHIEVED ALONE.

Another pivotal lesson was that IT’S ALL ABOUT THEM. Making customers happy means understanding and fulfilling their needs. It wasn’t about us; we were there to help them achieve their goals.

When significant changes in the business world—budget cuts, undervalued creativity, profit-driven decisions—made it clear that the time had come to pursue my passion for painting, I learned another important lesson: DO WHAT YOU LOVE. AND IF YOU DON’T LOVE IT ANYMORE, PURSUE YOUR OTHER LOVE.

From a young age, I was drawn to art. By first grade, I confidently announced I would have a business as an artist, despite not fully understanding what that meant. As life progressed, I attended art school, initially avoiding fine arts due to practical financial concerns, but my early passion for painting never faded.

My early painting years focused on realism in oils and acrylics. During college, I discovered my love for gouache (an opaque watercolor). Eventually, a workshop with John Salminen ignited my passion for abstract painting. Seeking spontaneity, I returned to acrylics, exploring the boundaries of texture and dimension. My style emerged as energetic, lyrical, engaging, and positive. Lesson learned: NEVER LOSE YOUR CHILDHOOD CURIOSITY; ALWAYS EXPLORE AND GROW.

My creative process involves recurring development and destruction. Without a preconceived plan, each action informs the next, creating a continual exchange between spontaneous and deliberate moves. The primary theme is an evolution from adversity to optimism, ultimately conveying narratives of hope and resilience.

As creatives, we are always exploring. Currently, I am compelled to merge realism with abstraction, integrating texture with a focus on color. This is a concept in progress, and to see where this journey leads, you can follow along by signing up at http://www.thyraart.com. I hope this lesson will prove that THE CREATIVE PROCESS IS NOT A STRAIGHT LINE BUT RATHER A FUN TANGLE OF EXPERIENCES MERGING THE PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE — LIKE A SCAVENGER HUNT WITH REAL TREASURE AT THE END.

Relationships remain key as I work with galleries, interior designers, art consultants, and direct customers. My ultimate goal is to enhance spaces with unique art that creates a special connection and evokes positive energy.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

What is most rewarding about being an artist or creative person is the freedom. The freedom to solve challenges in any way possible. I often set challenges for a series or various pieces, like a goal to achieve a certain feeling or emotion, or a feeling or a use of color or lighting. As both the artist and director of this journey, I have the freedom to use any means possible to achieve that. I can choose any direction, any tool, any material, any color, etc. How many jobs exist with that kind of freedom?

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

My current goal is a desire to give back in some way. I can’t create just to create. I need a purpose (probably too many years in the business world). There is a new idea that I am developing and if it works, it will give me that much-needed true sense of purpose. Sorry, but the idea is too green to share, but I will give you a hint: For people who know me, it will be no surprise that it will combine art making with rescuing dogs. If you want to know more, follow along on my journey by signing up at https://www.thyraart.com

Contact Info:

• Website: https://thyrafineartistry.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thyramooreartist/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ThyraFineArtistry
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thyramoorefineartist/
• Other: https://www.pinterest.com/ThyraMooreArt/