We’re looking forward to introducing you to Holli May Thomas. Check out our conversation below.
Holli May, a huge thanks to you for investing the time to share your wisdom with those who are seeking it. We think it’s so important for us to share stories with our neighbors, friends and community because knowledge multiples when we share with each other. Let’s jump in: What is a normal day like for you right now?
A normal day for me starts before dawn. I am a crazy morning lark and inherited this gene from family members. It used to bother me that my personal timetable was so different than others, but I developed a system that works to my advantage.
I walk outside to my backyard art studio before daybreak with a cup of coffee in my hand and look at the open sky. I then head towards my art studio in anticipation of the day, choose a few fountain pens, and sit down to indulge in something I have done for thirty plus years which is writing. Art and writing walk hand in hand in my world.
I write and sketch about subjects I find intriguing. Random things I see on daily long walks or an interesting topic I find in a book or piece of poetry. I sketch visuals or toss ideas and/or words on my paper to see if I can generate a piece of prose and write three or more pages.
Afterwards I meditate to clear my mind. Sometimes I do a formal sit-down session in the silence on my mat, but many times I complete long meditative walks. I start painting around 8 am and finish my first session for the day in the afternoon. My creative thought process is much stronger earlier in the day so later in the evening I devote time to tasks that do not require headspace such as cleaning up my brushes and my studio.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I am a mixed media artist, and I combine paint, textiles, collage, wood, and sometimes unusual objects that appear in my path. My mom was a seamstress that never used a sewing pattern and she also loved to crochet. Our house had leftover fabrics and yarn in every closet. My stepdad worked on construction and he taught me how to use every tool under the sun. I learned skill sets from each one which have carried over into my artwork.
My pieces tend to focus on mindfulness and positivity through symbolism. I am a total nerd for words so you will often see hidden messages or vocabulary within my visuals. I consistently hear that people can pick my pieces out in a line up and feel that I have developed a unique style over the years. I am currently working on new collections for upcoming shows and exploring new ideas and materials. I am excited for the future!
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. What was your earliest memory of feeling powerful?
I have a great memory that forever flickers in my brain! I was in junior high and riding my blue knock off Stingray bicycle in our neighborhood. It was early morning, the sun was shining, and I felt like the captain of my own ship. I had this overwhelming feeling of awe looking up at the tops of the tall Pine trees and then I looked down to see my bare feet on the pedals and the earth rolling by underneath. I looked up and started to pedal fast enough to gather enough speed to ride without holding my hands on the handlebars and soared. I felt like my bicycle could take me anywhere and it did! I still ride my bicycle today, but now I wear shoes and a helmet.
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
In my previous career, I taught high school to underprivileged kids. I witnessed so much suffering with teenagers that had health, emotional, and learning disabilities and/or cases of abuse or addictions. I have always had an empathetic heart, but when you see it in person from day to day and how it affects a person’s life – it changes YOU. I also witnessed hundreds of success stories of overcoming the odds. I feel that the artwork I create attempts to smooth over the rough edges that humanity has given to others.
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. What do you believe is true but cannot prove?
I believe when like-minded people share good energy, it spreads to others. I may not be able to prove this scientifically, but I can see it in person and online when I talk to others. When you surround yourself with a good tribe, you are bound to thrive and this is something I practice within my own realm. I am much more productive around people that speak their truth in a kind way with solutions and generate forward motion. I want to be part of that motion and part of the solution. This is part of my artist statement.
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. When have you had to bet the company?
Decades ago, I was creating a very different style of art. I was using the same processes I use today, but with a different outcome. I call this my experimental practice period. My stepdad passed away right before Covid and at the same time, my mother was diagnosed with dementia. I have no siblings to help, therefore I had to develop a skill set to survive because there were numerous big issues, decisions, and care giving to be made with my mom. I already believed in the power of prayer, but I added the skill of meditation to my spiritual toolbox during lockdown and my entire world changed.
I am not a religious person, but a deeply spiritual one. I was raised to not talk about politics or religion at the dinner table so discussing spirituality and how I viewed the universe were topics of conversation that I only shared with my writing journal and close friends. I found that by adding daily meditation sessions my mind became much more clear and focused. I had more ideas than ever for artwork that touched on the subjects of wonder and awe, but I felt they would appear as fifty shades of woo woo to the outside world and I did not want my artwork to be viewed in a frivolous manner.
I was incredibly nervous about revealing this part of me because in many respects, I am quite introverted. I could remain perfectly content the rest of my days creating art and writing behind my fence, but I finally told myself that this is me, this is who I am, and buckle up buttercup because we are going on a creative road trip. I presented a few pieces here and there on social media that touched on the subjects of mindfulness that were well received so I continued down this path. I continue to meditate on the daily to this day and write in my journal every single morning and look forward to more wonder in my future.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.hollimaythomasart.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hollimaythomasart
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/infraredheadart
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCF-rfs78Q9Zg4UZabqaD9SA
