Meet Holli May Thomas | Mixed Media Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Holli May Thomas and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Holli May, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I was nearing the end of my first career as a public high school English teacher here in the Houston area and mulling over what the word “retirement” meant to me. I still had a fire in my belly filled with energy and passion and knew that I wanted to expand my horizons and work on my other interests of painting and creative writing. So I studied and researched on how to make it happen and here I am!

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
If you look over my art albums on my Facebook page, you will see that my creations have evolved over the years. I like to call it Holli 2.0 – the best version of me.

I started painting when I was eight and was into landscapes. In later years, I became fascinated with abstracts. A chance meeting with a washing machine on the side of the road ended up with me incorporating assemblage in my art. And somewhere in between, I had an intense focus on creating jewelry with gemstones. I have always loved cool rocks and so this was the natural order of things!

People tell me that my artwork is different than others. There is a sense of appreciation for Earth and its creatures along with living in your own sacred space and living a life of purpose and mindfulness.

I have always had a love affair with words, so I enjoy sprinkling my pieces with words that have a positive connotation. And I have incorporated more of the things that I grew up with as a child into my pieces such as adding yarn, fabrics, and gemstones in my pieces. My very first job was at a fabric store in Cypress, Texas so looking back, all of this makes logical sense.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I have a great appreciation of nature but there is also a city girl in me so I will combine those two loves into a few of my favorite Houston hot spots that are off the beaten path.

1. Texas Art Asylum – If you do anything creative or would just enjoy having your brain expanded for a day, visit The Texas Art Asylum. Do not dress fancy. Expect to sit on the floor and explore tons of interesting materials unlike any other art store I have visited.

2. I do not see this place listed as often as it should, but I really enjoy visiting The Lawndale Art Center on Main Street. I never know what I am going to see when I visit, and the artwork is always unusual and interesting.

3. I live in the Spring Branch area of town and enjoy live music. Check out The Nomad Tavern which is a small icehouse with the coldest beer in Houston on Bingle Road Thursday nights where you will find musicians seeking their 15 minutes of fame at their open mic night. The same goes for 1810 Ojeman. Both places are two of my favorites that encourage you to do you and be you.

4. My favorite parks are Terry Hershey and Cullen Park on the west end. You can find a little slice of silence and peace in both places during the week.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My mom would take me to the public library where I would wander those hallowed shelves to check out books which fired my imagination. She encouraged my freedom by having trust in me even as a small child to walk out to the ledge. I never felt controlled, and my mother gave me permission to adventure where I wanted on my bicycle. My girl posse in the neighborhood would create plays to present to kids and she always encouraged my story telling. And even on a limited budget, there were always art supplies in our house from paint to yarn to fabric. I had a magical childhood. Thanks mom!

Website: https://www.hollimaythomasart.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hollimaythomasart/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/infraredheadart