Today we’d like to introduce you to Tae “Picasso Trill” Thomas.
Hi Tae “Picasso Trill”, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I’m originally from The Bronx born and raised and my family moved around a lot within the city, so I’ve been all over NYC. I started drawing and playing piano by ear at around 6 or 7. I became more into art as I got older, wanting to eventually be an illustrator for Nickelodeon or becoming a comic artist. I went to high school for graphic design which opened up the world of art even more. I also got deeper into music picking up a couple of other instruments that I taught myself to play by ear. So art in multiple forms has always been something I was natural at. I produced music here and there with a group of friends during my senior year and after high school. Some I’m still good friends with (shoutout to Compton, Ghryz, and Flip). I started taking art seriously about six years ago when I started painting and got invited to be in an art show that was different than your usual show. It didn’t end at seeing what pieces were on display but continued letting you know about the artists through QR codes that would bring you a link to videos and additional works from the artist. I did a couple of shows with that curator and started picking up a buzz with my paintings and photography. Throughout the years leading up to currently, I’ve been able to add Spike Lee as a collector, been on the SyFy channel for my fan art for Jordan Peele’s “Us” movie, commissioned for art for different companies and nonprofits. Now that I’m here, I’m looking to build a clientele with my photography, paintings, and music.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Definitely hasn’t been a smooth road, as a creative you have major imposter syndrome when you put out your work. I’ve been victim to it a couple of times when I’ve released short designs and digital paintings, not so much physical art. I think it’s human to compare yourself even when you know you shouldn’t, I got myself mostly out of doing that by looking at others’ work for things I can take note on to improve in my own work. Other obstacles are the creative block and the balance between a 9-5 and your art business. Now that I’m here permanently, I’m determined to make sure I have a balance for that.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’m known for my paintings both digital and physical, my photography, and my music production. I also took a dip into T-shirt design with my site Picassosspot.com where I designed the bootleg band shirts with artists and authors not just popular music acts. I also do custom shirt designs, I’ve done some for friends for birthdays and just because and they’re always stoked when they get the shirts. I do a lot of street and architectural photography, lately I’ve been infatuated with buildings with blue skies as backdrops, I plan on putting together a coffee table book of the many photos I’ve taken. When it comes to painting, I don’t follow the trendy stuff, I paint what I like and ideas I gather from life. I love music so I’ve done a few of my favorite artists. I love using vivid colors and capturing the beauty in brown skin. I don’t create without love behind it and I put a piece of me into everything I create.
What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
I love the culture, the art, the people. Being from New York, you encounter a loooot of people whether you want to or not lol. Here it’s almost like home but there’s a heavier black presence which I started to miss back home. I love the food too can’t forget about that, there’s more restaurants and things to see that I haven’t yet and I look forward to it. What I like least would probably be the traffic, the homelessness, and the auto theft. I want to get a new car but I don’t want to come back to an empty parking spot one day lol. The homeless problem is nationwide and I wish this government would get it together because it’s definitely doable to change, they just are ignoring the very people they work for.
Pricing:
- Photo shoots start at $85
- Commissioned paintings start at $100
- Digital art starts at $50
Contact Info:
- Website: Trillspace.squarespace.com
- Instagram: Picasso_trill
- Other: Picassosspot.com
