11 Dec Evoking Emotion, An Interview with Artist Paul Thomas
We sat down with our talented artist and friend, Paul Thomas, who enlightened us on the approach, process, and dreams of his abstract art. We fell in love with Paul’s vibrant, ethereal paintings which draw from his passionate, creative background. His unique styles have been displayed in private collections, commercial spaces, and exhibits all around the world and we are so excited to share them with you.
How would you describe the aesthetic of your art? My art comes from a deep spiritual relationship with nature and light. I have always been fascinated with the movement and emotion that color can evoke. I paint from memory. Memories of sunsets, rainbows, starry nights, autumn leaves, Mediterranean sunrises and even people’s personalities represent color to me.
Tell us a bit more about your background.
My mother and Aunts were artists and I grew up in a world of museums and art exhibitions. As a kid in the 60’s, my parents had a contemporary art collection that made all the neighbors a bit queasy, but I loved it. A favorite was a marble sculpture of Jonah and the Whale (use your imagination). In our Central New Jersey suburban neighborhood, cookie cutter decor was the norm. Our house was chocolate brown, with orange shutters and a red door. My mother did away with the manicure front lawn and put in a Japanese rock garden. It’s fair to say that I grew up with a slightly different view of what was appealing and what was ordinary.
Have you always had a passion for art? What inspired you to create your paintings?
I have always had a love of color. I was always fascinated by the texture of abstract paintings. They were the only painting that touched my inner soul. I’ve always appreciated figurative work, but my passion lies in the abstract. For my 21st birthday, I was given a Paul Jenkins. I can still remember the tears of joy I shed upon seeing it. It’s still in my collection.
Your art has been described as drawing inspiration from expressionist painters, Morris Lewis and Paul Jenkins. What about these painters inspires you?
Everything about these artists inspires me. I remember taking a bus up Madison Avenue in the early 1970’s and when I got to 79th, I was compelled to go see this gallery that was filled with large colorful paintings. I didn’t know it, but it was the Gimple Weitzenhoffer Gallery and they were showing Paul Jenkins. I was in awe of the movement within his work. I remember thinking that I wanted to live in this room. A room filled with color. Of all the great art I’ve seen in my lifetime, the Abstract Expressionists are the ones who leave me speechless and send my imagination soaring. With Paul Jenkins, Morris Lewis, Rothko and so many others, I am captivated. I’m always invigorated. Their work speaks directly to me. I’m sure that if you stop to listen with your eyes, their painting will talk to you too.
Tell us about your creative process.
I was trained at the Art Student League in NYC. There I learned about paint application and technique. This is essential for any artist, but this is only technique. One has to dig deep into one’s soul to hear your own voice, to create your own work. My creative process involves 5% applying paint to canvas – I use a brush – and 95% thinking. I always have an idea of what a painting will look like before I start, but even so, my process involves interacting with the canvas. I am very effected by the seasons and tend to create more colorful works in the summer.
What is your studio space like? Does it have an effect on your process?
My studio is a magical space for me. It is a sacred space that encompasses everything I love in order to paint. I designed the studio with a local architect and it took two years to complete. It has perfect light, perfect temperature control, the best sound system, a wood burning stove. I think in the case of my studio, a picture is worth a thousand words. Whenever I’m in the studio, I want to paint. Period!
What is the concept behind your paintings? What do they represent?
My paintings are only as good as the interaction that the viewer chooses to have with them. My hope is that you will have a feeling or interaction with my work. A certain color or movement will touch a place in your heart. The biggest compliment I get from non-artists is that my paintings make them happy. The biggest compliment I get from artists is, “How did you do that?”
Where is the number one place you dream of displaying your art?
I feel that my art is healing, as it comes from a very healing space. I have been very fortunate to have my work in medical centers, corporate headquarters, the US Consulate in Florence and some reputable private collections. I’ve also had the privilege of working with some of the top Interior Designers in New York. Working with designers is wonderful because I’m able to incorporate their vision into the work. I already have my work in so many “Dream” places, that I humbly ask for more of the same.
You have a great eye for color. How do you make the choice when it comes to your color palettes?
Color always tell a story. It’s not a story that I need to share with the public but it’s a story that needs to be created in order to complete the creative process. An example of this would be when I spent eight hours at Sagrada de Familia in Barcelona and studied the light and movement of Antonio Gaudi’s masterpiece cathedral. I then went to the studio and did a series of six paintings that represented the movement of light from the stained-glass windows. Each painting has a story but in the end, the story that counts is the one that the painting tells the viewer. When I’m working with a designer, they provide the color palette as well as the vision/story for the painting.
What’s next?
My next goal is really big. I want to create 40 to 60 painting that will be entitled, “Spectrum” They will all be hung together starting from black and encompassing the entire spectrum and finishing in white. The objective of this installation will offer the viewer the possibility to be completely enveloped in color and movement. In a perfect world, it will be a permanent installation. So, for all you architect or Hotel /Corporate Designers, we should talk. In the meantime, please feel free to visit paulthomasartist.com.
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