Issue link: https://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/357002
Local Ar tist Puts Adrenaline in the Frame A rtist Thierry Thompson's astonishing works hit the observer with the impact of an amazing photograph, until the viewer discovers that the medium is actually paint. The art becomes even more powerful when con- templating the technical mastery required to make it jump out of the frame. "People say, 'I got goosebumps,' when a piece is delivered," Thompson says. "That's great, but I get more moved when kids are motivated by it. Both kids and grownups bolt for the back room of Light + Shadow Fine Art, [where the focus is on automotive art]." Porsche lover Thompson grew up with a car racing father who taught him how to tear apart cars and build engines. Thompson's father and grandfather, both design engineers, also taught him the art of drafting. "I was always drawing cars and racing go-karts and dirt bikes," he says. Last year, Thompson and gallery director wife Beverly met then 8-year- old Cooper Bonessa, who stays busy creating art while battling cancer. The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society named him "2013 Boy of the Year," and Thompson had Cooper and his brother pick out works of art for their bedrooms then hosted a silent auction benefit. On August 14, from 4-7pm during Classic Car Week, Thompson and Bonessa will greet the public at the gallery for another LLS benefit, while celebrating Bonessa's final year of treatment. When not busy helping others, including volunteering with the military, the award-winning master artist, whose aviation works hang in the Pentagon, is flying off aircraft careers, riding in F16s, racing cars on the track, painting commissioned pieces of famous cars and traveling around the world with Beverly. His works encompass many subjects and styles— from landscapes to portraits to airbrushing to chiaroscuro. His favorite subject remains cars. "I get a lot of enjoyment out of seeing how kids react to my work," he says. "It hearkens back to my own days with my father." Light + Shadow Fine Art is located on Sixth Avenue between Dolores and Lincoln in Carmel. 831/624-2090 or www.lightandshadowfineart.com. —Brett Wilbur SHORTCUTS GIVING BACK 94 C A R M E L M A G A Z I N E • S U M M E R / F A L L 2 0 1 4 Artist Thierry Thompson and wife Beverly run Carmel's Gallery Light + Shadow. Thompson's piece, "Five Time Champion," signed by racecar driver Derek Bell, will be auctioned off during Car Week to raise money for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Photo: Kelli Uldall