— The featured artist of Issue 45 of Living the Photo Artistic Life magazine, Texas-based AWAKE artist Rebecah Thompson, is seeing her artistic career on the rise. It’s a delight to be able to share my interview with her here on Quill and Camera.
Q. What was it that got you started in photo artistry?
My first grandchild was due to arrive and I wanted a nice camera so I could take the kind of fancy newborn photos that had become so popular. Of course, I had no idea how to use my camera at the time, so I ended up purchasing a professional photo session for her instead. (Thank goodness for that!) So — instead of baby photos, it was a few years of me taking photos around my beautiful town of Galveston, Texas, with its abundance of wonderful views and all its nature. That meant I had plenty of inspiration. And that’s where it all started really.
Then I just happened across the Photoshop Artistry course online . . . and signing up was the best thing that ever happened to me!
Honestly, when I first perused the course, I wasn’t sure I even liked the style. Too much “grunge” for my taste. But Sebastian’s videos and written work convinced me that I could obviously create whatever pleased me and it didn’t have to be “grungy.” And really, it was love at first lesson!
I then rushed to join the next “AWAKE” group and took both courses concurrently. It’s been a wild and wonderful ride ever since.
Q. Have you always been interested in creating art?
Yes, in one way or another I have always been artistic. I have done many creative and crafty things over the years, starting quite young with embroidery, macramé, and crochet. My high school years were filled with pottery, stained glass, painting, and drawing.
As an adult life got busy with jobs and kids but I always managed to find some time to do quilting and crafting. Still, I would never have called myself an artist or even particularly creative. It’s only been recently, since I’ve taken up Photoshop (and have actually been selling some of my pieces) that I feel I deserve the term artist.
Q. What does “AWAKE” and “living the photo artistic life” mean to you?
To me, living the photo artistic life means being brave and jumping right in with both feet!
I’m lucky enough to live in a town that has a lot of artistic talent. There are so many art galleries here and every six weeks there is an Art Walk which is a hugely successful event where people come from all over to view the art in all the galleries about town.
I finally got brave two years ago after joining “AWAKE” and approached a gallery with my work. I only had one piece printed at the time and the rest I had to show them were on coasters that I had gotten printed. (HaHa!) But they loved my art and I’ve been showing my work ever since. I never would have imagined my life taking this direction before.
Being part of ”AWAKE” has changed my life. I now have a passion that I never knew I had before. I now have something that inspires me daily to learn and try new things. It has pushed me to better myself and become more confident in my abilities. And I’ve learned that it’s not just about creating art. It’s also about being open minded and meeting new people and exposing yourself to other creative styles. I have met so many wonderful people since starting my journey in “AWAKE,” and I now have friends all around the world. Who would have thought that I could have such good friends from so many countries? People whose lives I get to see in their posts and their art!
By moving out of my comfort zone and getting my art exhibited in galleries, I have had the opportunity to meet the most amazing people here locally as well, forging lasting friendships with people I might otherwise never have met right here in my hometown. That’s an amazing gift I never could have anticipated.
I’m not sure I’ve expressed my feelings well enough here, but because of “AWAKE” I was brave enough to go to that first gallery and show my work. Now I have all these new friends, and I sell my pieces regularly, and I win in juried art shows I enter, and I even take private commissions. I feel my worth as an artist now, and feel that I’m actually good at something. (Goodness, I am even starting to be known in my town as “The Rebecah.” What?! That just blows my mind.) I know I still have so much further to go, and there are other artists much more experienced than I am, but through “AWAKE” I’ve become convinced there’s no limit to what I can achieve if I put in the effort.
Q. What is it that most inspires your work?
I am continually inspired by the beauty around me — including my city, my pets, and my family. But ultimately, I think I am mostly inspired by my peers. I see the work of my fellow “AWAKE” Facebook friends and oh my goodness I get so jealous! How did they do that? Why didn’t I think of trying that? So into the inspiration folder it goes. Then I can look at it again later and maybe attempt something similar but with my own material and in my own style.
I think that is often how we learn, from people with similar interests and passions. That kind of inspiration is powerful. It pulls us forward.
Q. What’s your next step as an artist?
I created two commissioned pieces recently and I would really love to follow that path. It’s so much fun to create something specific and special for someone.
I also would like to start offering some beginning Photoshop training classes locally.
Ultimately though, I would like to improve my photography skills and start planning my compositions more thoroughly from start to finish. Lately I find myself aspiring to become as talented as the amazing artists Even Liu, Eric Johansen, and John Wilhelm among many others. I am also very fond of Brooke Shaden and will soon be learning more from her too!
Q. Any advice or tips you’d want to pass along to other aspiring digital artists?
Don’t be afraid to show your art. If you’ve been at this for a little while, odds are your work IS good enough! And of course just keep learning, keep creating, and persevere.
But try not to compare yourself to others. Get inspired by them, but don’t compare.
Admittedly, I still have a hard time with that myself sometimes, when I see all the amazing art coming through the various Facebook groups and wonder how I can possibly measure up. But honestly, you can just be yourself and create your own art in your own way. Don’t worry if people like it or dislike it. What one person dislikes, someone else will absolutely adore. There’s no telling. So don’t deny the rest of the world by hiding your talents. Let them see who you are and what you’re creating. Even as you’re growing and getting better.