Reaching for Dreams!

Hello All! For those who know me, I go by Miranda Thomas or, “Red” and I have a passion for creating artwork! I graduated with a Fine Arts Degree from Herron School of Art and Design with a focus in Drawing and Ceramics. Since graduating in 2016, I have worked in fine Contemporary Art galleries, introduced and instructed beginner Acrylic painting classes, rendered/fabricated artifacts and props at a museum, created local murals for businesses, curated art events, and participated in several art shows and festivals along the way and am determined to keep this palette growing!
        My hands have dug deep into clay, they have held a paintbrush for hours working on a single painting, they have guided me behind flames from a torch when I soldered jewelry in a metalsmithing class, they have gained countless splinters from working with wood and so much more… Creating is my outlet, my career, my passion, and a dream I continue to feed.
        Recently, I have been offered an opportunity to not only participate in a month long art show in Burnside, Oregon, but also granted to become a resident of stay for the entire month of May of 2018. This has been a very longed for experience for me personally as an emerging artist. To totally engulf myself deep into the woods, away from all that I am familiar with and know, will help me grow not only artistically but spiritually as well. I plan to create artwork to rotate in the show during my stay, but also to increase my personal inventory and dig deep into what truly inspires me. I am passionate about working with wood, pyrography has opened my eyes and imagination in more ways than I can reflect on so I plan to focus heavily in woodworking during my stay as well.

Why I am asking for YOUR help along this journey:

         Asking for help is hard for me. For as long as I can recall, I have been very much a, “I can just figure it out myself” kind of individual and it has taken many failures and “almosts” that have made me realize asking for help is necessary sometimes.
          Any contributions made to this trip will significantly help my experience away from home here in Indiana. I will be driving out West to assure my artwork is safe, my supplies are all on hand, and also the ability to be mobile while out in Washington and Oregon is important to me. I will be making a two hour commute (round trip) to the art show during the first week of May as well as a few trips to the local market for grocery and supplies during my stay.

      My drive out West and back home to Indiana (alone) will cost me roughly $750. Gas costs as well as living costs to support myself out there the entire month is a large chunk of cost. Luckily, my car is in decent shape and the cost for a set of new tires will assure my safe travels along the way is also included in my total.As I am saving bit by bit until I head out, any help with funding would be sincerely appreciated.

    *** I have included different art incentives that will be supported by your contributions. They range in all shapes, prices, and mediums! All artwork will be created during and after my stay out West. ***

        Life, well, it takes a village, and if life has showed me anything, you don’t have to be of blood relation to really make someone feel supported, loved and like family. It was not necessarily a mother and father who raised me, it was grandparents, aunts and uncles, foster parents, friends, friends-families, and even strangers who helped me become the person I am today. My parents were beautiful people who were also both artists coasting on their dreams. They became my guardian spirits in 2006 passing only five days apart from one another. Their light passed onto me, reminding me to never take a day for granted. Those who know me know I do not use my losses as a crutch, only a reminder that you can create any dream your heart is set on, as long as you work every day towards it. Small steps lead to bigger chapters and this is one big step to my chapter.