My Palace in Dallas: Clay Thomas
Clay in his special haven in Dallas, Tx. 2021
“Solitude requires you to move past reacting to information created by other people and focus instead on your own thoughts and experiences – wherever you happened to be”
It’s May 2021, I would like to believe we’ve made it past the worst part. The gangs are vaxed and waxed and ready to get back out there safely. As I sit in my 2 bedroom apartment I couldn’t help but wonder, what have I accomplished this year? What random yet basic habit have I picked up on? Sourdough starters? Day drinking? Gained the quarantine 15? Learned how to give myself a haircut? Aside from all these things that helped that endless void in my heart, I’d like to believe I came out of this quarantine experience stronger and being able to appreciate the chance for total solitude.
This is the exact idea that gave birth to this project, I want to know, I want to see, more importantly, I want to document what the people around me have become after this unprecedented year, they can be artists, a violinist or just about anybody! They can also be the people you meet daily on the street ( which is quite hard cause apparently, people in Dallas don’t walk at all). What is it that they do? What are their stories ad what does their Palace in Dallas looks like?
Without further ado, allow me to introduce you to Clay Thomas, an interesting person I’ve been blessed enough to know since last year. A great friend, a supportive person, a cinematographer, and a great networker.
(Editors note, this camera shy boy likes whiskey coke and if you could hear the recording of the interview, it would be an ASMR of pouring and sipping and me sneezing and him referring to himself as Papi a lot)
Not shown in the photo, his Kanye for president 2020 election sign. Questionable but worth the respect. 2021
Hi Clay, looking basic as always, thank you so much for having the time and sit down with me for this little project. Now obviously I’ve known you for a while but for the audience that doesn’t know who you are, tell me about yourself!
The name is Clay Thomas, born and bred in Texas and still very much here now. I did real estate before, now I’m in Dallas doing something that I’m really passionate about. I’ve always wanted to be in the creative industry, and I have been doing some art dealing, networking, a lot of cinematography, and meeting new people recently. Still, just trying to figure out what I’m really doing here.
So how did you got to where you’re at now? I’ve always wondered how did you build your social circle so fast throughout last year or even way back.
As far as networking and meeting new people in this city goes, starting last year or even way back subconsciously I’ve been working on choosing who I give my energy out to, not in the terms of running a tight circle but more in a sense of surrounding myself with those who I want or want me there cause of who I am instead of what I can bring to the table. If you are a good person I’d want you around and make good things happen together. And as people start linking together I’d like to believe having a nice creative community is everything when you’re trying to start out in the industry or just for the sake of having a good time.
Clay’s working area where he ignores all of my emails yet continues to update his Instagram stories, 2021
Crater bowl from Minn Brand
Hulk Hogan illustration
Based on my understanding you are a Dallas local? How do you feel about Dallas as an artist or as an adult? What made you decided to stay?
Honestly, it’s the people that made me stay, and mind you this will be the running theme of all my answers probably, but Dallas is a very diverse and accepting place, it’s supportive and in comparison with the big hubs like NY or LA, it is on its way becoming one of them in terms of growing into a big creative community. The city itself still needs some work but we are definitely on our way up right now. This is home, it’s filled with people I love and get along with regardless of our values or point of view. You know they say southern hospitality and all but it really is filled with good people and good spirits. Again, this is home.
Clay petting the household cat “Michael Jackson Pollock” on his porch, I just call him Rupert.
Clay and his art piece - 2021
It’s nice hearing all this love for his city coming from a Dallas local and especially coming from you, I’ll always be flattered to be included in your community and I’ve met so many amazing peeps through you. Now riddle me this, as an artist that chose to stay in Dallas, in your opinion what makes the art industry here stood out?
Like any other creative we all struggle a little with the money and Dallas is no different, but for now, Dallas is pretty cheap so that’s a positive on our side *chuckles (Editors note: despite not being shown in all the pictures, Clay laughs and chuckles and confirmed has emotions) but it is way more than that here. Whenever you’re creating down here you can really feel the love of the community around you, there is something special about Dallas, I don’t know if it’s because I grew up here or whatever but the vibe is always welcoming and loving for those who do what we do and I truly believe it’s the people here and the love that will continue making the community here grow into something really special. Just look at the numbers we have 350,000 people moving in here! (This is where I spit out my drink, I’ve never connected Clay with numbers but he is here spitting STATISTICS). We are really untapped in terms of talent, we don’t lack cool and interesting works as well as people and I wholeheartedly believe this is going to be the next spot. Those who left for other cities might even come back eventually as well.
(Editor’s note : this interview is being conducted at 2 AM in the morning, in his backyard with us drinking straight whiskey, and guess what, I just left for a re-fill)
So here is how I feel about Dallas and it could be one of the biggest obstacles it needs to overcome or will be for those who come here is that it’s just too big and all the people here are scattered around in all these different pockets. Do you think this is something or a change of mindset we all need to work on in order to become a strong entity for artists and as an up-and-coming creative hub?
I completely agree, DFW is one of the biggest metroplexes In the world so we are very much spread out, but honestly, if we all do come together we could make something really big, this city has a lot to offer more than you can imagine but the process for a place like this is that with the growth of the community, it would be easier for everyone to link up and with such a robust foundation in place, as long as you are willing to put yourself out there you will end up receiving more than you anticipated. With Dallas being such a culturally diverse city we are definitely more than just tumbleweed and boots.
(Editors note: I really agree with him on this, that you need to be on the receiving end for this city and this is how I met Clay)
I know what you normally do is a cinematographer, but I also know that you are an amazing artist, how did you come to this jump from shooting videos to making mixed sculptures on carved wooden boards or canvases?
Like everyone else that made a jump in their track I have only one word, “Pandemic”. The situation really stretched me to be creative in different mediums mainly because being a cinematographer there just was not enough work, as far as video goes there isn’t a lot of funding out there. I’ve dabbled with my art in the past before but mainly for free and not fully committed so I thought why not switch it up, I want to be paid for my works! So I picked up a saw and some paint, thank you Mathew Brinston for leaving some paint for me. (Editor: Oh so it’s free? I smell privilege) Last year was really when I pushed myself into trying new things and not afraid to get my hands dirty.
Here’s the fun thing, I actually met Clay right before when the whole quarantine was about to start, so name 5 things you love about me (JK), *deep breath* how do you navigate through all this during last year? What did you do?
*Sigh, *takes a big gulp, *sigh again, how much time do you have for me? Ok jokes aside, mentally I have just been trying really hard to stay positive. As repetitive as this may sound, I have always been someone that tries to pick up the positive of things, I’ve always loved art and the pandemic really pushed me into learning more about art not just the making part of it. I got into art dealing because I saw how my friends are struggling during that time and wondered what can I do to help out, what can I learn about this that I don’t know yet and how can my connections be of use for this. That is how the process came to fruition here and I’m just really happy it worked out for my friends as well because these are the people that I really have faith in. Elevating my network and friends makes me happy simply because this is what I believed in and you know how they say your network is your net worth? Last year was really the time I fully experienced that. I think we all got out of our shell, our comfort zone last year and we all came out stronger and better together.
“This is where everyone passes out” - Clay Thomas 2021
The afternoon light shines through the window giving the place an extra spacey vibe to it. it’s brighter than my future.
Obviously, I’ve been to your place many times, probably more than either of us would have wanted, but you’ve never given me a full walkthrough (Or actually see it by day), with all these different arts which would you say is your prized possession in the crib?
I really like this crib, with such an interesting interior and cool housemates (shout out to Austin) it’s definitely got a cool vibe to it! If I have to pick one it’s got to be the Mathew Brinston painting that I have on the wall looking over my bed. It’s there hovering over me for a reason I’m telling you, waking up to that beautiful piece of art like damn, it’s something. That guy is on a whole different level and is somebody who really believed in me as a cinematographer from day 1. Whenever I came down to Dallas, I didn’t know a lot of people back then and I ran into him by luck, we’ve been helping each other out and he has been someone I can always count on and ask questions while getting very solid answers. I wholeheartedly believe in him from an art standpoint and the way he treats people, just respecting each other for who you are regardless of what clout you have and that is something I am really big on.
Painting in question by Mathew Brinston - 2021
I’m getting tired and we are out of booze, but I have one thing I need to know, for those wanting to be an artist or simply trying to pursue their dreams, what is the one suggestion you would like to share with them?
“Believe in yourself and build a great community around yourself.” Regardless of what other people think, you are creating for yourself, and you will be doing the world a disservice by not creating, screw the clout and all those external validations. Believe in yourself and surround yourself with people who elevate you and inspire you, grow together and believe in each other. Anyone who made it had a solid community around him that believes in him, and most importantly they believed in themselves, if you are creating for the right reason the world will see it and will appreciate it.
You’ve been really big on your community ( me being one of them), for those who are still quite new to the Dallas art scene are there a few people who come to mind that you would like the world to know more about?
Joey Brock – One of the most loving people I know, a badass creative with his mixed-media portraits and just like me, loving and respect people around him.
Kelsey Heimerman - Another amazing artist, somebody I’ve been blessed enough to know through mutual friends, super detailed in her work and it’s not something you normally see here. She’s diverse in mediums and is just a hell of an artist here.
Mariell Guzman – A childhood friend from way back, we’ve known each other for so long even back when I was a little asshole. She’s probably the hardest working artist I know in Dallas and she is killing it with all her murals and really pushes her boundaries on everything.
Robson – The no.1 homie, swear on the bible, a great singer and if anyone is going to make it out of Dallas it will be him. I believe in him 100% and love him like a brother. Great songwriter and singer out there.
Now to wrap this up, what’s in the works for you? What are the “Big things coming” things you would like to let the people out there know?
I’m finally doing my own live performance venue here, it’s been 80 years in the works (Editors note: yes Clay is 100 years old). I got the backyard all set up for live performance and recording stuff, you know, ready to push the people I believe in on this stage of mine. I think it will be a great platform for me as a cinematographer to shoot and for artists to showcase their amazing music and voices. The indoor part of the house will be opening up too as an art gallery during the live performances and I just want to put everybody on if possible! It is only a matter of time and it’s going to be big! I’m really excited about it.
Clay Thomas: https://www.instagram.com/__claythomas__/
Dallas Street Market: https://www.dallasstreetmarket.com/
