Today we’d like to introduce you to Thomas Ruple
Hi Thomas, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I was born and raised in Lexington—same house from birth to college. My Sundays were spent at Westminster Presbyterian, weekdays in Lexington 1 schools, and Saturdays in the woods. I have always been drawn to the arts and crafts. I was diagnosed with dyslexia in the first grade, and I felt that art allowed me a way to communicate that was outside of language. I moved away to Brevard College to study business organization in 2014. However, following the sudden deaths of my grandmother, grandfather, and best friend in quick succession, I found a new embrace for the shortness of life and changed my major to studio painting. After graduating from Brevard in 2018, I felt I needed a change of region, so I moved north, to NYC to be exact. Harlem was a good neighborhood with lively people and shops, and a deep history. I was mainly attracted to the proximity of the Metropolitan Museum of Art and other world-class museums that I had never before had access to. I even worked for the Met Cloisters in Inwood for a short time until the pandemic hit. Locked down in a small apartment with no yard or outdoor space, I grew restless quickly. Luckily, I had tons of time to paint and consider my future. I decided to continue my love for museums and enrolled at St. John’s University in Queens to receive a master’s in museum administration. Studying in Queens in 2021 was a great opportunity to talk about the social issues at hand while working firsthand with all those great museums. After four years in the city, I decided it was time to go home and appreciate Columbia in a way I hadn’t growing up. I finally had the time and space to fully build my fine arts brand in a way that supports growth and development. Now, in 2024, I am embarking again on the next chapter. Next week, I am moving to Florence, Italy, for the next three years. I will be studying at the Angel Academy of Art, where I will be learning traditional arts techniques in painting, drawing, and sculpture. It is my hope that, with traditional training from Italy, creativity from Brevard, and collection management from New York, I can return to Columbia and help support the growing arts culture that the city is cultivating.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It has definitely been smoother than some other’s roads. The largest bumps were just that i never would have guess how this road would go. But its been a good ride so far and I’m excited for what’s to come.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
My artistic practice revolves around the exploration of personal mythologies and allegories- manifesting through the figure, traditional materials, and symbolism. My works are a testament to the human experience, transcending time and cultural barriers, and offering a glimpse into the depths of my own soul. Through the language of art, I aspire to forge a profound and lasting connection with those who engage with my creations, ultimately inviting them to embark on their own journey of self-discovery.
We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you?
Above all i am lucky to have the family that i do. My folks are supportive of my creative journey both emotionally and at times financially. It is a luxury that i know many South Carolinians cant enjoy in their creative paths. I would love to see more local government support for artists so that the culture and soul of our area can be fully realized.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.tomruple.art/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tomruple.art/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Tomsfineart/
- Other: https://www.patreon.com/tomruple
