Today we’d like to introduce you to Marina Thompson.
Every artist has a unique story. Can you briefly walk us through yours?
I grew up west of Boston in a creative, entrepreneurial household. I have been lucky to be self-employed for most of my adult life. After college I started a wholesale handwoven rug business. First weaving at home, then working from a loft in Fort Point Boston, I sold colorful cotton rugs to many stores across the country – including Crate & Barrel and Marimekko.
Fifteen years later, in order to work from home while raising my son, I switched to illustration. My freelance work included illustrating wrap-around murals for two huge rooms at the Miami Children’s Museum, gardening books and magazines for Sunset Publishing, educational books, pop-up books, product packaging, and much more. Eventually, it was time to focus on my own art.
Please tell us about your art.
The years of working in the digital publishing industry as an illustrator increased my interest in computer imaging and technical software. Many ideas and sketches for the paintings I am doing now begin on my iPad. I often print the base layer of a painting onto cotton or mulberry paper, then paint on top of that, alternating layers of wax and mixed media. Color is what most inspires me – everyone should be as excited by it as I am! Color creates light, light creates form. My paintings explore depth, energy and movement with illusions of volume, space, light, and time. My work speaks of sounds, both local and cosmic; the visual elements are both macroscopic and microscopic. My art often reflects back to the years I spent in textile design and illustration. It all comes full circle – and hopefully an expanding circle.
Do you have any advice for other artists? Any lessons you wished you learned earlier?
I think the most important thing is to work hard, stay focused, and network. Find a community that will support you, and learn to talk enthusiastically about what you do. When I was younger I created products that had a discernible market value (rugs and illustration). Lots of artists have day jobs. Trying to sell art is probably the most difficult of all. So do your best work, and get better at your skill set everyday. Be original, and people will notice!
How or where can people see your work? How can people support your work?
June 12 – July 8, I will be in a two person show at The Concord Center for the Visual Arts, 37 Lexington Road, Concord MA 01742 http://www.concordart.org.
I will also be showing work at the International Encaustic Conference in Provincetown MA on June 3.
https://www.castlehill.org/12th-international-encaustic-conference.
I am currently represented by gallery blink. It is great salon-style gallery in a beautiful historic house near the Battle Green in the center Lexington. If you go, be sure to check their hours.
1963 Mass. Ave. Lexington MA 02421
http://www.galleryblink.com
Visit or contact me through my website. I would be happy to answer any questions.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.marinathompson.com
- Email: marina.mixedmedia@gmail.com
- Instagram: @marina.mixedmedia
Image Credit:
Marina Thompson
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