Meet Thaddaeus Arvie: Multimedia Craftsman & Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Thaddaeus Arvie and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Thaddaeus, can you tell us more about your background and the role it’s played in shaping who you are today?
I am originally from a tiny little village in Louisiana called Chataignier. It had one store that closed at 8pm and only had stop signs, no traffic lights. The nearest shopping mall was an hour away in Lafayette, LA. My view everyday growing up was farm land filled with rice, potatoes, cows, and/or crawfish. I only graduated with a total of 60 people in my high school class. I always felt like my dreams were too big for the place where I grew up. I never saw any type of representation of what an artist can be there. So having that desire but no guidance definitely took me down a more strenuous path than most. I didn’t take my first art class until I went to college. Although I did acquired a Bachelors of Fine Arts from Grambling State University, I still feel like for most of my career it has been trial and error. I feel like I started so far behind my peers in the same profession as me who had more exposure to art growing up. But the beauty of starting from a rural place is the never wavering appreciation of being in a city that offer so many possibilities. It is still some days where I am just amazed that I live in Houston and I that I am not only following my dreams, I am actually making major moves. To see where I started and where I am now, It continues to motivate me to keep pushing and it also inspires me to bring back what I learn to my hometown community. I aim to be the representation of an Artist that I never saw.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I like to think of myself as a Multimedia Craftsman. I have always believe being a jack of all trades is what sets me apart from most artist. Although I am not a total master of any one medium, I am great at many such as, abstract art, digital art, photography, woodwork, set design, sculpture and more. I build my own canvases, I build my own props. My favorite part is taking all of those skills and combining them to create huge installation pieces. I have been pursuing a professional art career for about 6 years. I have started in the underground artworld and I feel like I am finally starting to peak to a level where I am getting paid my full worth as well as working alongside the right crowd of people that will help elevate my brand even more. During these past 6 years, I have felt many emotions. It has been times where I feel foolish, times where I feel alone, and there have been many times I have felt a very strong desire to quit. But there is something inside me that keeps me from giving up. Ive learned that no-one person can do it alone. We all need a support system, especially when those thoughts of quitting come creeping in. I learned that relationships are currency. My mom always use to say, It not always about what you know but who you know. Ive also learn that you first need to believe in yourself and your vision before any one else will take you seriously. And I’ve learned that every thing is made up, so there is no reason why each an every one of us can’t create our own lane, with some hard work and consistency of course. I want the world to know that Thaddaeus Arvie of Creatively Insane Art is one bad-ass artist. I want the world to recognize my originality and innovative thinking. I want the world to know that any one from any where on any given day can put some thing great into the world, and Im living proof of that.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Some of my favorite places in town have the best beer selection like Axelrad, Little Woodrows Eado, Pitch 25. I love going to all the breweries but my absolute favorite is Karbach Brewery and Buffalo Brewery. When im hungry I love the hamburgers from hopdoddy and I love grabbing sushi at Top Sushi on Westheimer. Some of the dopest parts of Houston are the Heights and EADO. Both areas have such an appreciation for art, food, and entertainment. They both provide the perfect playground for eccentric people such as myself. I enjoy going to the Sawyers Yards compound and seeing all of the most influential artists of Houston in one place. My absolute favorite bar in Houston is “The Bar 5015”, not only because I have an installation currently there, but also because that place has such a great vibe. It’s visual appealing, the music is great, the drinks are decently priced, and there are always good people there having a great time.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I’d like to dedicated my shout out to the few individuals who have consistently supported me over the years and those who have recently been heavily involved in my growth as an Artist. I’d Like to first thank my sister Jamien Arvie for always being my rock, motivator, and sometimes investor in my endeavors. I’d like to thank my parents Jimmy and Angelia Arvie for giving me the necessary tools and life skills to survive in today’s world. I’d like to thank Evelyn Terry for being my friend and capturing all my best angles. I’d like to thank Mariel Funes for believing in me and helping me to grow my brand. I’d like to thank my mentor John Ross Palmer for showing me new possibilities for my art career. Last but not least I’d like to thank my lady Gladys Guevara for always showing up for me.I thank you for being my assistant and helper although you did not ask to be. You have shown me what it means for someone to truly have my back. I love all you guys and I would not be here without you. As I grow, you are the people I hope to take with me.

Website: creativelyinsaneart.com
Instagram: @thaddaeus_thecreator
Facebook: Thaddaeus Arvie