Weaving tales through tufted art with Wes Thom

Step into the vibrant world of Wes Thom, a 2SLGBTQ+ creator from Northern Alberta and currently tufting the town rainbow in Calgary. Wes is not just an artist; he’s a storyteller, weaving tales of identity, sexuality, and representation through his mesmerizing creations of technicolour dreamscapes.

Wes conjures custom rugs and fibre art that are nothing short of enchanting. Using a blend of technology and tradition, he infuses his pieces with a kaleidoscope of colour and patterns, each one a celebration of his indigenous heritage and his love for contemporary, even psychedelic designs.

Pride In Business: This will be your second year participating in Pride in Art, what has changed for you in the last year? Would you mind sharing some of your successes or other news since the last time we spoke?

Wes Thom: I think the biggest change for me is the new studio! It’s nice to have separation from my creative and living spaces. It’s much more functional and productivity has increased.

In the last year I focused on custom works and would like to change that a bit this year. I would like to throw myself in more public arts and events, which excites and terrifies me at the same time. I was involved in Beakerhead 2023 and was able to bring my print machine to do live demonstrations. That was a lot of fun and would like to involve myself in more.

PIB: How has the last year influenced your artistry and creative process?

WT: Over the past year, I’ve deeply immersed myself in my art, dedicating more time and energy to my creative practice. By cutting down on the hours spent working for others, I’ve been able to focus more on me, which has been incredibly rewarding and fulfilling. I had lost a best friend, my dog Fred, last year. I was incredibly lonely, even when surrounded by loved ones. My whole routine was changed, and I struggled with that at first. Thankfully I have a great support system who were able to help when needed. Redirecting my focus towards my passion likely provided me with a much-needed outlet for expression and reflection during moments of solitude.

PIB: You mention that you are a storyteller of identity, sexuality, and representation through your technicolour dreamscape. From the pieces you have submitted this year what stories would you say are being showcased in your submissions this year?

WT: With this collection, I wanted to show resilience isn’t something that automatically occurs in a person. Rather, resilience develops as a mix of intentional efforts and having the right supports. We all carry deep emotional pain and it’s up to us to build on those emotions to carve a pathway forward. These five pieces represent some aspects of the human experience, particularly in the realms of personal growth, society, and our internal/external relationships. They touch upon the dynamics of power, cooperation, emotional authenticity, and the human tendency to assess ourselves and others in various contexts.

Wes Tom queer fibre artist - gay fine artist - LGBTQ - tattoos beard - nose ring — **Wes Thom**
*Queer Fibre Artist*

PIB: Sustainability is such a important topic in all industries now, how have you adapted to more environmentally friendly practices? What can other artists do to be more sustainable?

WT: Start small and get creative! There are tons of ways for artists can improve their sustainability by choosing eco-friendly materials, minimizing waste, conserving energy, opting for better transportation methods, prompting eco-consciousness within their community, and staying informed about innovative practices.

Make it fun! Currently, I use refillable ink felt pens for my digital prints. This allows me to save on plastic waste to the landfill. I also choose a recycled paper for most of my prints when its available. I’ve tinkered with the idea of making my own paper, maybe that’s my next step. When working with yarn, I’m currently experimenting with dyeing locally purchased yarn. What a fun process!

While shipping, instead of bubble wrap I’ve been using shredding from print projects that didn’t make it. There’s something funny about that to me, orders packed in my errors.

Wes Tom queer fibre artist - gay fine artist - conceptual art -ew David - Renaissance sculpture - David by Michelangelo — Title: EW David
Artist: Wes Thom — Queer Fibre Artist

PIB: As a working artist in Calgary, how has the community evolved in respects to Arts and Culture over the years?

WT: The opportunities! There are tons of events, markets, local business wall space, and government grants available; be brave and apply. Pride in Art is the perfect example of this! I couldn’t be a working artist without the help of a welcoming community.

Wes Tom queer fibre artist - gay fine artist - conceptual art -drawing - framing - print making - tank top — Wes Thom
Queer Fibre Artist

PIB: If you had to provide one piece of advice to new artists, what would you share?

WT: Find your routine! Figure out what will make you money and what is a waste of time. It’s different for everybody and can take some time to understand. You need to find a perfect partnership of projects that make you happy, and work that pays your bills. Also find your people, those who are going to support you 100%.