Today we’d like to introduce you to Jimmy Thompson.
Hi Jimmy, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I grew up in Southern California, specifically in Ventura Country. Like so many kids, I did a lot of art and drawing. But at a certain point it was clear that i was doing it much more than others.
It came so naturally and I really loved it, not to mention all the positive attention i received didn’t hurt. With the encouragement of family and teachers I landed at California Institute of the Arts in Valenica in the Character Animation Department. I was like a fish in water–being amongst so many passionate and creative people, i had the comfort of knowing that there was no other place I should be. After 4 years of constant drawing and making animated films, I got an entry job at a Production Company in Hollywood called The Directors Bureau. (I had seen a guest speaker at CalArts, an artist named Mike MIlls, who really inspired me and Directors Bureau was his company). While it wasn’t a job squarely in my field, it was an extension of all the things i was interested in from school –music videos, film making, fine art, commercial art, and mostly how to stradle both personal and commercial work. You could say it was like getting my masters. After a few years, I had just boldness and naivity to start my own company with a longtime friend and CalArts alum. We called it BRAINBOW and we went after any type of job we could get our hands on. Soon we were doing live concert visions for Blink 182, Red Hot Chili Peppers and Pete Yorn and an animated short featured at The Hammer Museum. Eventually we got involved with TV Networks making graphic packages for shows which found us at the height of our powers, in that it called upon our skills into one set of deliverables. We operated for 10+ years and ultimately the pandemic sunk us as projects were put on ice, everyone was freaking out and those super fun creative endevaors were few and far betweem. After disbanding, i was in need of a new path but was not sure where to turn–the only constant being to keep on drawing. I began to attract attention from restaurants and hotels (once dining a travel resumed) and the hospitality world found ways to use me. Later retailers like Crate & Barrel and apprel companies like Taylor Stitch got me involved in designing for print.
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?
It has not been smooth, but I never anticipated smooth. I always embraced those uncomfortable growing-pain moments. One of the struggles, especially early on, was time management. When you’re generating your own business, as opposed to being employed by someone, it can be hard to always know how to use time. Should I be doing this or doing that today? Is this time well spent? Should i be making self-initiated work today or doing business development. spend an afternoon at a museum or gallery for inspiration? There is a never really a right answer so ultimately you must follow your instincts and mostly stay organzied.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am fortunate to have a wide array of clients to whom can serve. And i think that that is my speciality — to apply my sensibilities and experience to many different types of clients with varying needs. I’ve developed many styles and techniques over the years (through much trial and error) that i think i have a good feel for what clients want and what they are trying to communicate,
I think there is a through-line thru the work where you can see my fingerprints despite all these different assignments, So being a swiss-army knife sets me apart.
I am most proud of the Crate & Barrel campaign I need in 2024. It was such a big scale, being on store-front windows and large canvas prints in the NYC flagship store. It just had to be right and make an imapact and i think that we succeeded.
How do you think about luck?
I am super big on the concept of luck. I heard the great coach Phil Jackson say, (though i don’t think it’s his quote) “good luck comes to the most prepared.” I’ve always felt that patience is really the most important skill.
I have always kept on making things, sharpening skills and trusted that eventually the right opportunies will present themselves. Just have to be ready when that time comes.
So i think the name of the game, especially starting out is to stay busy, inspired and experimental. Impress yourself first, find the joy in creation and be less concerned about outside feedback.
And nowadays we have so many outlets to share work than we did 15/20 years ago which gives creative’s works the chance to travel much further and faster.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://thejimmythompson.com/
- Instagram: @jimandjuice
