Meet Craig Thornton

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Craig Thornton. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Craig, so excited to have you with us today. So much we can chat about, but one of the questions we are most interested in is how you have managed to keep your creativity alive.
I’m always looking for inspiration. By pursuing various other interests, I always have new ideas. I like to see what different artists are doing in various mediums. I follow a variety of artists and galleries on Instagram. I love science fiction and fantasy movies, and am continually seeking out either a new movie or re-connecting with old favorites. I also like to read science fiction books, and often a trip to the bookstore can help if I find myself stuck. Last but not least, I try to let new ideas flow through my work as I draw.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
I’m a visual artist, and I specialize in drawing. I primarily draw with ink pens. I layer textures to create atmospheric portraits and landscapes of heroes from my personal mythology. These heroes portray resilience and strength in a surreal atmosphere. Through my work, I provide a glimpse into an alternate reality that I Intend to connect with the viewer on a subconscious level.

I have t-shirts and sticker packs available on my website. My original drawings, both framed and unframed, are available for sale as well. Anyone interested should contact me by e-mail or through my social media for availability and pricing.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
It’s good to acknowledge that no matter how good you are in any skill, you can always be better. All of your best skills should be constantly refined through practice as time goes on.

Drawing is one of the most important skills, and it’s one that I have worked on since I was a child. Drawing can be used as a foundation for creating pretty much everything and for communicating concepts and ideas to yourself and others. For anyone interested in learning to draw, I would say draw as often as you can. Keep a sketchbook and try to draw something in it every day, even if it’s only for 30 minutes or an hour.

Picture Framing is another skill that has been helpful to me. Drawings need to be framed under glass and protected with acid-free framing materials in order to be suitable for gallery installation or on the walls of collectors. By knowing how to frame, I understand how to better preserve my art and also how to present my work without having to rely on other framers. I learned by working at a few different frame shops when I was in high school and college. There are also now many instructional videos online.

Customer service is important for every industry, but I feel it is especially important in the arts. It is critical to be able to connect with collectors, educate them on all aspects of my work, and to handle everything with a sense of professionalism that gives the collectors a sense of comfort. It is not every day that someone buys a unique piece of art, so you want the transaction to be a positive experience. I’ve learned this skill through my retail and corporate job experiences. I think it’s good to remember to treat any job or position as an opportunity to hone customer service skills even if you would move on to something else.

Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?
I am always open to collaboration. There are so many great artists working in other mediums. It would be great to connect with other artists, produce something unique and share knowledge in the process. I envision some projects where collaboration with artists who are working in fashion, photography or graphic design could be fantastic. Anyone interested in collaborating with me can contact me through my e-mail or through social media.

Contact Info:

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