painting in photo by: Bill McEvoy

 

 

Born 1980, in San Diego, California, Emily Thomas grew up in a household where her creativity was nourished and never discouraged.   Being the child of two different but equally talented parents, she got the best of both worlds.  With a Beatnik, car lovin', bike riddin' Daddy and  an easygoing, arts and crafts mom, its easy to see where her influence as an artist started at a young age.

 

"Entertain me" has always been Emily's motto.  As a little girl there was no way she would spend the whole day in front of the television like most kids.  She always had to be up to something. "Thank god for crafty moms!"  At the first hint of  "Mom I'm bored," out would come the paints or coloring books and off she'd go! Her art to this day still has a certain hands on, homemade craft feel. While many artists choose to paint in oils or acrylics Emily enjoys the freedom and raw feeling of watercolor.  

 

Emily's father has been one of the most inspirational people in her life.   Growing up with a dad who is into classic cars and bikes has definitely left an impression.  Anyone who is into classic cars and is from the San Diego area will remember Rory's Diner, with their weekend car shows. "I always have to look back and laugh when I think about all the times I went to Rory's with my dad.  I used to get so excited to go but  by the end of the night I was dying to leave.  Ok, I can't lie, the burgers were fantastic, but standing around with a bunch of old guys and old cars wasn't always my idea of a good time."  But as she got older all that "car stuff" started to grow on her.

 

Being the adventurous type in 1999 Emily found herself moving away from sunny southern California to the cold concrete jungle of Toronto.  There was a period of about 10 years in her life where art was pretty much non existent.  She would draw a little something now and then but having fun was priority one.  During this time she met her now boyfriend of 8 years, Jason. "After all these years he has continued to support and encourage me and my art.  I still stand by the reality, that if it wasn't for him I would not be doing what I do today. He encouraged me to go to art school, he saw something in my crappy old doodles that I still don't get."  But rather than party her life away she decided to take his advice and give art school a shot.  They both went on to study animation and fine art at Max the Mutt School of Animation. 

 

Studying Animation had its ups and downs for her.  Everything was pretty much up except for actually animating. " I used to go crazy trying to draw the same things over and over.  I was always drawing stuff they hated, it wasn't Disney cute enough.  I never had problems with the quality of my work it was always the content."  It was during a course for background painting that she discovered her true love for painting.  Although she left the school with nothing more than her Art Fundamentals certificate, she left with a passion for painting that has not diminished to this day. 

 

Emily has been a late night, "after work" painter for about 2 years now.  She specializes in monster themed pin ups, and tattoo designs.  Her clients to this date include,
Buzz Deluxe,  local Toronto rockabilly band, Detroit Dollface Jewelry, Sourpuss Clothing and many private buyers as well.  Although she is a relatively new artist in the world of lowbrow art, she has continued to work hard at promoting herself as an artist.  Judging by the overwhelming positive response she has received, you will surely be seeing more of  Mummys Little Monster!