Meet Shawn Patrick Thomas | Artist & Musician

We had the good fortune of connecting with Shawn Patrick Thomas and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Shawn Patrick, what is the most important factor behind your success?
Connecting with people. For me, more important than a sale, is making a genuine connection with the people to whom you are selling. With my surf photography, I typically have met and interacted with the people whom I photograph, and establish a connection with them. This helps me to learn about their interests and personalities, and what content may appeal to them later. Also, it’s a wonderful way to share the idea of creativity and build community around my neighborhood, or the larger community surrounding me. With painting, teaching people tends to unlock new ideas, or even foundational presuppositions, that can be further explored with the medium of paint and expression. As I interact with people when teaching them how to paint, they tend to learn things about themselves, or get a better grasp of their internal feelings.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
MY interest and experience in the arts covers a lot of ground. I have degrees in both music and art, and have been able to create some wonderful pieces in those realms. In 2021 I released my first album, called Together (2021), which is available on most major downloading or stream networks. With the creative and performing arts, I have been able to work with a few groups of artists over the years , and have created projects that go far beyond just presenting a pretty picture. I have been able to work with organizations in the mental health industry, and religious institutions in order to foster a sense of healing and reconciliation between people. I believe that art has the power to heal and enlighten in ways that other modes of communication cannot do. As I mentioned earlier, my photography has been a wonderful resource to connect with my local community, and with people in other countries, and share a love and passion for sports and the outdoors together.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Definitely the beach! Southern California is amazing, because within a few hour drive you have world-class waves and beaches to visit, all of which are quite diverse! From the cliffs in San Diego and South Orange counties, to the long stretches of sandy beaches and estuaries, we would definitely spend time visiting and surfing at a number of beaches, while taking time to take photographs! Definitely Sea World and Disneyland would be high in the list. There are a number of local spots in Oceanside to eat at, including Dominic’s Italian restaurant! Tide-pooling at Swamis is another hit, and the gaslamp quarter would be great for food and entertainment!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My parents definitely deserve credit for fostering wisdom and curiosity in how I perceive the world, while also emphasizing creativity and humility in how I express myself. My dad taught me how to play the guitar at around age 12, but our home was always filled with various kinds of music and records playing, which was a teacher in and of itself. My mom taught me poetry, and how to write, as well as enrolling me in creative classes like painting, wood-carving, and acting. They allowed me to ask questions but provided a solid anchor point of love and appreciation which helped me to value the ability to explore the world around me.

Website: shawnpatrickthomas.com

Instagram: @shawnpatrickthomas

Facebook: Shawn Patrick Thomas

Youtube: Shawn Patrick Thomas @shawnpatrickthomas3213