Today we’d like to introduce you to Pepper Tharp.
Hi Pepper, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
“Born with a crayon in my hand.” I was lucky to grow up with a father who, after serving 5 years in WWll, moved his young family to Grand Marais, Minnesota, where he was a regional painter. My childhood was highlighted by a guy who would stop on walks or drives to query me about the colors I saw. An impromptu art lesson would ensue whether I wanted on or not! The fact I had a complete artist studio to play in and observe when a kid gave me tons of insight.
Notwithstanding, I was a complete freak, skyscraper height, towering at 5 11″; being a natural social outcast led me to a childhood of being alone in nature and with my paints. My parents sent me to art lessons while Dad helped with the groundwork of creating a little art community called the Minnetonka Art Center. We had keys and used to open and close the old schoolhouse. How cool was all this for a kid whose eyes were wide open? Then MCAD – Fine Art, U of M (Bachelor of Landscape Architecture) Academy of Art College-San Francisco (Illustration) Wha-lah! There’s a whole bunch of life in between. I was living abroad, raising two kids, and dealing with tragedies, divorces, etc.
It wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
You must be a jack of all trades to be an image creator. Contracts and understanding laws are essential. Contracts are not written in the Artist’s favor, which is the standard. Thank you, Taylor Swift, for addressing this not-uncommon phenomenon. My journey has included continually evolving from original media to digital media and then back to original media. Staying ahead of trends and creating relevant imagery has been an authentic safari.
Let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
‘Sophisticated Fun’ best describes my style. Whether creating illustrations for lifestyle, products, or publishing, my forte is capturing a relatable moment. I love to shine a light fun and loving moment in my work; I paint from my heart with an acute eye for personal journeys. No joyous moment in life is too small. Full disclosure on struggles: my first husband suffered a terrible head injury in a car accident. I spent ten years of my early adulthood navigating a life that suddenly was not my own. I do have PTSD from those years, and I’m grateful to be able to share the tiny joys of life through my art.
Networking and finding a mentor can positively impact one’s life and career. Any advice?
While having a good teacher in your field is excellent, it’s only sometimes possible as life is constantly changing. I keep a mental *Rolodex of mentors and teachers in my past. I pull a short clip of memories of juicy tidbits they imparted.
- “Get three colors right” – Barbara Insalaco.
- “Dance with your painting”- Birney Quick.
- “Turn the form with warm to cool colors, not light to dark” – instructor.
- “A cloud never dies” – Thich Nhat Hahn.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.peppertharp.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/peppertharp
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pepper.tharp
