Artist Statement

Growing up on a small ranch in southeastern Wyoming, I knew the landscape as an animate being and constant companion. It informed my world in a way people could not. In my art, I tell stories of how we engage with the natural world and how this relationship deeply influences our lives, especially in the American West. I combine mythological archetypes drawn from cultures around the world with the history and imagery of the American West in order to tell its history in a broader framework of humanity.

I often use reclaimed materials similar in energetic sources: old barn wood, barbed wire, dirt, canning jars, nature. This idea-object combination uses the inherent historical energy of objects to help tell the narrative. As a carpenter,  coming from a family history rich in the trades of the American West (teachers, railroad brakemen, boxers, lumberyard workers, ranchers, oil field workers, doctors, gamblers, bookkeepers, laundresses), I have deep respect for the physical attributes of the work people do in unglamorous daily life. In my art I incorporate often-unnoticed beauty and unappreciated skill involved in the everyday labors of necessity. I am inspired by the history of the West and its endless story, rich in metaphor, layered with contradictions and hypocrisy, and possessing a deep respect for what it takes to survive.

Living in New York City the past few years allowed me to see my culture from a distance and gain a fresh understanding of the unique characteristics that make up the rural west and its cultures. The myriad ways in which these contrasting environments complement each other expands my vision and understanding of what creates a sense of place.

My current work addresses subtle and more intimate details of survival in the rural West.  In my “Snow and Dust Globe Series” I capture snapshots of engagement in the elements.  Using old mason canning jars, I create figures out of sculpty clay and place them in an enclosed but active weather scene- either dust or snow stroms- in order to glimpse a still moment amid the usual hectic slur of intense storms.  I was inspired for this series when our current economic depression news headlines read so similar to the headlines around the Great Depression and Dust Bowl era.

In paintings,  I am telling the story of the more intimate moments of life in the American West using the format of Chinese scroll paintings from the dynasty eras.  These two worlds, one ancient and one young, are both consciously intertwined with their respective landscapes.   Seeing the old Chinese scroll paintings that depict typical everyday rural life in ancient China, I felt a connection to the daily rhythms of everyday life  on the land in the American West.   Combining the wisdom and mythology of the two cultures expands our understanding of our place in this world.

Meg Thompson Bio

Education
University of Montana, Missoula MT
 • B.A., with Honors – English and Creative Writing, 2000
• Full Scholarship, Div. I Women’s Basketball, Four-time Conference Champions, Four appearances in NCAA tournament, twice voted Most Inspirational Player award, 1995-2000.
Art Students League, New York, NY, Figure Drawing, May 2007
School of Visual Arts, New York, NY
 • Oil Painting, continuing education, summer 2007
• Figure sculpture, continuing education, spring 2008
• Creative Blacksmithing, continuing education, winter 2009, fall 2009

Exhibitions
• “Degenerate Craft Fair”, artist invitational group sale, New York, NY, December 2010
• “Abstract Intentions”, group show curated by David Gibson and Keren Moscovitch, School of Visual Arts, New York, NY, August 2010
• “I Want to teach the World to . . .Play!”, group show curated by David Gibson, Jeffrey Rakien Nomura, Savannah Spirit, Elizabeth Line; Brooklyn Artillery, Brooklyn, NY, Fall 2009
• Open Studio Fall Show, Makeville Studio (Brooklyn, NY), October 2008
• Open Studio, School of Visual Arts Summer Residency Program (New York, NY), August 2008
• “Bend Winterfest Festival,” Artist Invitational (Bend, OR), February 2007

• “Holiday Artisans Show,” showing with six other artists at a private residence (Bend, OR), December 2006

Residency
• School of Visual Arts, Residency Program (New York, NY), July 2008
Television Appearances
• BCAT TV/BRIC Arts Media, interviewee for “Neighborhood Beat” featuring blacksmith Marsha Trattner, spring 2010
Teaching
• Teaching Assistant for Marsha Trattner, Blacksmithing II, School of Visual Arts, Summer 2010
• “Introduction to Mosaics,” Makeville Studio, Brooklyn, NY, Spring 2009
• “Architectural Woodwork,” Makeville Studio, Brooklyn, NY, Summer 2009
• Shop Supervisor, Makeville Studio, Brooklyn, NY, Spring 2009 – 2010
Commissions
• “Rosenthal Ranch Series”, four piece custom furniture for Nancy and David Rosenthal, Brooklyn, NY, January 2011
• “Scottish Bovine Buffet”, custom buffet furniture piece for Helena Miller and Dara Raspberry, Brooklyn, NY, Oct 2010
• “Atilla’s Trusty Steed”, custom butcherblock for Garth Thompson, San Fransico, CA, August 2010
• “Cow at Fence” custom dust globe for Corrina Rinella, Anchorage, AK, July 2010
• “The Advantage of Death” custom print and frame, for Robert L. Stepans, Jackson Hole, Wy, May 2010
• “Fall Creek”: watercolor, 8” x 12”, Taylor Harris, Jackson Hole, WY, April 2010
• “Catoica”: watercolor, 8” x 12”, Patsy Hinchey- gift for Catoica Co., TX, January 2010
• “Skinny Buffalo”, custom coffee table made for Laura Kirk, New York, NY, January 2010
• Business sign for Robert L. Stepans, Attorney at Law, Jackson Hole, WY, June 2009
• “Dan Fishing”: Watercolor painting, Patsy Hinchey collection, November 2008
• Female Form Series: Four 5”x 7” acrylic paintings, FireArts Collective (San Fransico, CA), August 2006
• “Tetons”: Mosaic table construction and design, Robert Stepans (Bend, OR), May 2006
• “Aparna’s World”: Mosaic design, creation and shower installation, Beth Gebstadt (Bend, OR), March 2006
• “One More Wave”: Mosaic design, creation and shower installation, Sarah Tonna (Bend, OR), June 2005
• “Cityscape Rug”: Mosaic design, creation and floor installation, Dwight and Peggy Ball (Pacific City, OR), February, 2004
• “Yes, Again!”: Acrylic portrait, Patsy Hinchey collection (Breckenridge, CO), June 2004
• “That Tree”: Mosaic design, creation and floor installation, Patsy Hinchey collection (Mena, AR), March 2003
Related Work Experience
Meg Thompson Tile and Carpentry, 2005 – Present
Owner/Operator, Carpenter, Tile Setter
 • Custom Furniture, 2005 – Present
• Subcontractor, Beagle & Pots Woodworking: design, build and installation of custom cabinets
and built-ins (Brooklyn, NY), 2007 – 2009
• Licensed General Contractor: remodel and new construction services (Bend, OR), 2005 – 2007; (New York City) 2007-present