Looking forward with multidisciplinary artist Shone Thistle

Shone Thistle is an author, poet and multidisciplinary artist. Their work ranges from radio to jazz ensemble, festival to conference keynote, inner city cabaret to galleries by the sea. In advance of Pride In Art, we caught up with Shone to learn more about their approach to a re-emerging visual art practice.

Pride In Business: Who are your biggest artistic influences?

Shone Thistle: My artistic influences are a combination of poets, artists, authors and thinkers – some I’ve had the pleasure of knowing and many I haven’t. These include the likes of Rumi, Rainier Maria Rilke, Audrey Lorde, James Balwin, Rupi Kaur, my mother Gloria Wick, my high school art teacher Jude West, my great uncle Mel Thistle who was a poet, author and historian, my inner child, Ani Difranco, feminist folk poet Alix Olson, human ecology historian and map maker Ken Lowe, Calgary Poet Laureate Emeritus Sheri-D Wilson and so many more really.

**Title:** Flow #2
**Artist:** Shone Thistle — *Author, Poet & Multidisciplinary Artist*

PIB: Where do you find inspiration?

ST: I think this depends on the day for me. Sometimes I find inspiration in grief, loss and outrage. Other times I find inspiration in joy, love, friendship and nature. Popular culture, social justice and community also inspire me.

**Shone Thistle**
*Author, Poet & Multidisciplinary Artist*

PIB: How do you define success as an artist?

ST: Success is such a subjective term. The words momentum, cross pollination and rest come to mind. Momentum in terms of engagement in the processes of imagination and creation. Cross pollination in terms of spending time in community, collaborating and learning from other creatives. And rest in terms of, well… rest. I hit a wall both physically and psychologically last year and rest became my only way forward.

**Title:** Wæter_No 1
**Artist:** Shone Thistle — *Author, Poet & Multidisciplinary Artist*

PIB: How has your style changed over time?

ST: I used to approach my art making in a very literal sense, and often tied to a specific outcome. I’ve since learned to embrace the abstract. As a result I find creating to be more of a meditative process; one that allows me to tap into playfulness and gives the materials I’m working with more of a say in our eventual destination.

PIB: What have critics and collectors said about your work?

ST: I’m always learning and open to feedback, but I try not to listen to critics per sey. This is especially true of my inner critic who has had far too much say in my life. We talk at length in our house about grace and gratitude, and the practice of giving these things to ourselves and others.

As for collectors, I’ve had folks use words like fluid and soothing as well as reflective of relationships and interconnectedness. I recently had a collector text to say that my work was a favourite piece in their art collection; it was a kind, generous and encouraging thing to say. Another collector has a piece of mine hanging in their entrance which is a huge honour.

PIB: How do you manage a work-life balance as an artist?

ST: I’m no sage where balance is concerned. My Mom was notorious for losing time in her studio and I’m no different. At the end of the day, I try to do things for my future self that I will appreciate, like drinking an extra glass of water, letting my feet sink into cool grass, swimming in the river and indulging in guilty pleasures like mindless television or listening to a funny podcast while I fall asleep. And I made a conscious choice a few years back about the people I spend time with. My favourite people make me feel good about who I am in this moment, while inspiring me to be better. If we’re defining balance as making good life choices, I suppose all these things amount to some form of balance in my life.

To experience Shone Thistle’s work and the work of other featured artists, get your tickets for the Pride In Art event on May 24, 2024, here.

Website: shonethistle.ca
Facebook: @shone.thistle
Instagram: @shonethistle