As one of bluesman James "Son" Thomas' many children, Leland, Mississippi artist Pat Thomas was raised to appreciate the creative materials of his Delta environment: the earth, the blues, and traditions of rich creativity that continue to inspire its contemporary artists. Pat Thomas has become a bluesman and artist in his own right, combining his own personal style and technique with his father’s legacy. Thomas draws from the deep well of cultural heritage
Son Thomas, who made a living as a gravedigger at a Delta cemetery, fashioned brightly-colored skulls from local clay, glass marbles, corn kernels and discarded molars from the local dentist. He also gained fame as a classic blues player through the work of folklorist William Ferris. He can be seen in Ferris' films "Mississippi Delta Blues" (1969), "James 'Son Ford' Thomas: Delta Blues Singer" (1970), "Give My Poor Heart Ease" (1975), "I Ain't Lying" (1975) and "Made In Mississippi" (1975).
Pat Thomas is determined to carry on his father's legacy. Much of his art features the words "Love Daddy Always" and renderings of his father’s presence. Pat also recreates the themes preferred by his father: toothy clay skulls, feathered "African" or "Egyptian Heads" imbued with symbolic power, mojo bags and local animals. Thomas' favorite figure is that of a cat, usually a portrait, with human eyes. Thomas renders these figures in marker, clay, popsicle sticks, glass plates, cutting boards, newspaper, mirrors, and spray paint.
Similarly, Thomas' public-housing workspace is filled with eclectic found objects, collage and musical instruments that surround him as he goes about his day. Thomas' distinctive mark is his creative use of the materials. He colors eyes with his dry erase marker, applies thick spray paint from the cap with a Q-tip, presses fish tank marbles into the surfaces of his sculpture. He'll create a tribe of African heads, appointing a personality to each. And his blues are equally rich. His full voice resonates over the strains of his shotgunning Flying V guitar, singing classic blues lyrics with his signature personal twists.
Pat Thomas sells his multimedia work according to his current creative interests.
He can be reached by appointment at (662) 686-7476