Meet Holli May Thomas | Artist

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

Hi Holli May, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
I knew I was a creative growing up. My box was not like the others and I realized at a young age that I would need to color outside the lines in order to be happy.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
The sound of cicadas and the sway of tall Pine trees on starry nights were the compass for my soul growing up in Texas. The outdoors was my playground, rife with adventures of pretending to be an explorer and my imagination was kindled by books if I was grounded for causing too much mischief. A fishing pole crossing my bicycle handlebars was commonplace and staying outside until momma stuck her head out the screen door to call us home at night was evening prayer.

Many times, I would not answer that call preferring to lay on a bed of pine needles meditating on the evening sky and wondering what the universe would bring to my future. And as I grew older, I realized there was a gift in me all along – to be the flint for my own fire through paint, paper, and the occasional found object.

My art reflects my love of nature and being one with the universe. I paint what makes me happy whether that is a dragonfly that landed on my shoulder at lunch or an empowered woman that I find riveting. I don’t have a fancy artist statement – I just want to set your soul on fire through the end of my paintbrush.

In the past five years, I have moved from being a full time public high school English teacher to my other passion which is painting. I knew that I was going to start my own business before I retired from my first career and had to do quite a bit of studying and research on how to make everything work. Fortunately (and with great surprise) my love of reading and writing has helped me out tremendously.

My process is the same each morning. I rise early and walk to my shed in the backyard that is surrounded by trees home to Mockingbirds and other songbirds. My writing pen guides my morning mantras through journaling then I move five feet and begin to create visuals for the ideas that wandered into my morning pages. I would say that this part of my day sets the tone for the rest. My writing helps me create and keep my artistic vision in motion and in turn keeps the cogs of the business wheels going.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I live in the Spring Branch area of Houston so this is foodie heaven! I would take them to not so well known food trucks for street tacos and also hit some of the fabulous Korean restaurants our neighborhood has to offer. I would probably also take them to 1810 Ojeman which is a local pub that supports live music.

Going into town, I would ask them to take a bicycle ride with me on the trails that line Buffalo Bayou for a fabulous view of the Houston skyline then hit some of the museums in the museum district. Other favorites include The Orange Show, The Beer Can House, and Texas Art Asylum. I would also drag them to the downtown public library. I still remember going there as a kid and how happy it made me feel to enter the doors.

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 path has certainly been crooked, but there were many friends along the way that helped me find the North star in the artistic sky. The assemblage artist Sylvia Larkin that lives here in Houston helped me along with my friend and fellow artist Alexis Andrei. Also, Mitch Cohen who hosts the First Saturday Arts Market and The Market at Sawyer Yards. He is an endless promoter of the little guy. Last but not least would be my incredibly supportive husband Bob Thomas. Bob is a musician here in the Houston area and understands the creative drive.

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

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

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/holli-may-thomas-067a6692/

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

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCF-rfs78Q9Zg4UZabqaD9SA

Image Credits
InfraRedHead Art LLC