Life & Work with Trent Thompson

Today we’d like to introduce you to Trent Thompson.

Hi Trent, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I’ve always been an artists, I have been creating and drawing since I can remember. I’m originally from Rochester NY and actually ended up moving out to LA to play baseball at Azusa Pacific. Athlete and Artist isn’t always the most seamless fit so that was something I had to figure out just as far as how I managed my time. I always knew I wanted to be in the arts but didn’t see that as an obvious career path. As I started to explore ways to build a viable career out of artwork, I recognized that those business and entrepreneurial skills where super valuable to a lot of artists. So I started a business called OnlyUp and I have been building relationships with other artists to help them pursue professional opportunities and attach themselves to business plans.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
In some ways, but mostly I would say no. I’m really proud of what I’ve been able to build so far but I certainly have my eyes set on bigger things and projects almost never play out in the real world quite like they do in my head. I think I’ve tried to set myself apart by just being someone who follows through on projects regardless of the hurdles and that comes with a lot of trial and error.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
ARTIST STATEMENT
I am inspired by the idea that artwork has the power to spark movements and systems greater than myself.

​ABOUT TRENT
Born and raised in Rochester, New York, childhood trips to contemporary museums and city streets exposed “E Trent” to the diverse creative potential of reinventing space through artwork. Always fascinated with artistic masters capturing movement and the clean bright chaos of street art, by his teens he began to combine these two passions together. Further inspired by his intersections with the content design world, he has become known for pieces that incorporate explosions of incandescent color filtered through a perspective of a more traditionally trained artist. Trent has sought to set himself apart not only through his portfolio but by the way his projects incorporate themselves into a community.

E. Trent is the founder and creative director of OnlyUP Llc, a multi-platform art agency specializing in design, installations and visual production. A hub for Bay area innovators, Only Up also functions as a Gallery space exhibiting and promoting artists.

In 2017 Trent produced and published The FEEL project, which exists to reinforce the bridge between art and mental health resources. A practical application for emotion.

In 2018, Trent founded Pictures4People a nonprofit art movement helping people on the streets feel seen. P4P sold out a series of 5 E. Trent pieces which generated $8,000 and was donated to local charities.

In 2019, Trent founded Outbreak, a pop-up event series that merges public art, live music, design, and cultural activations in Livermore, CA.

In 2020, Trent founded OnlyupMuralFest, an annual production, creating a collection of 30+ and counting large scale, publicly accessible exterior murals.

In 2021, Trent created Layers, a new layered glass medium available for private and public sculpture commissions.

So maybe we end on discussing what matters most to you and why?
Wow, big question…. I think I’d say Love, which is kinda a cop out answer but I’m not sure what else fits there. I don’t think we take anything with us when we die so my faith is really important to me and I’m just inspired by the idea of loving people in whatever way.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.etrentart.com/portfolio
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/trentart_?utm_medium=copy_link
• Other: https://www.onlyupteam.com/

Image Credits
Cameron Bennet Natalie Schrik Travis Fisher Sam Butler Micheal Vanderveen Amy Tam