William Thornburg

An Artist seeking to help

She seemed nervous and sad about something. So I gave her a small figurine that I made. It wasn't anything, probably some tiny clay figure. She mulled it in her hands and began to bend and shift it into the picture she wished to see. Maybe she played out the actions she wished for her own story. She smiled; she forgot her fear. My work just helped lift the weight of her living. The fine details of the memory left, but the feeling. The feeling stayed.

I felt so light that I could have flown as I watched her play and laugh at my work. It was warm, a warmth filling my body and making my toes tingle. I could compare it to the feeling of when you hear them say that they love you for the first time.

I continue to chase this feeling as my practice evolves. I want my art to help people directly or help them find this feeling and, of course, have fun and discover myself in the experience of making. This is most apparent through vibrant colors and the work's simplicity to let the mind and body play while encouraging the viewer to interact with the pieces. It is all with the hope for the viewer to walk away with a smile, maybe their shoulders rolled back, hopefully, gratitude within their spirit and knowing their worth.

Elley (Cousin)