Meet Jessie Thompson | Artist | Graphic Designer | Dreamer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jessie Thompson and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jessie, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking
Not to be cliche, but ‘risk it for the biscuit’ came from some people, somewhere that probably had a life experience of risking to gain. Sometimes the wheel doesn’t need to be reinvented and we can learn from these people and their mistakes and successes of the past. Now, I don’t think that risk always needs to be associated with danger, though it’s fun to walk on the wild side. Risk is intention. Risk is life. It can come from a passionate heart or a sad one. I also think it can be this edgy thing that our egos need to attach to, to feel complete. Like we conquered or completed some momentous task or some feat of adversity and need to live in the duality of it. Risk/Gain. Right/Wrong. Success/Failure. And it’s the force between risk and ego that are reflected. Because the ego likes certainty and familiarity, so it says “stay!” On the other hand the ego can be a big risk taker and if it’s not being fulfilled, it will jump to the next sensory pleasure.

Here I enter the scene! I’ve been riding the risk wave for some time now. Half not being fulfilled; half making moves to get to where I want to be in this life. No risk. No magic. Since I graduated college in 2015, risk has been my middle name. I’ve moved ten times between three different states. I’ve owned two houses and have sold two houses. I owned a food truck and catering company and sold that. I had other business start ups and fail forwards. I’ve said yes and I’ve said no. I got married to the love of my life and we are having our first child. We just opened our store, Sunshine Sparklefaced, in Cave Creek and that was everything risk!
There was no initial plan. Sometimes things are presented to you in life and you don’t have it all figured out. But you know there’s potential there; for growth, for love, for happiness – so you trust your intuition and you do it. When will your life change? When you risk it. When you commit to the process of personal-development, letting go and choosing love. The meaning of risk changed for me when I learned the difference between doing things out of desperation versus doing them out of inspiration. With desperation, motivation is temporary. You get there fast, kinda deal and skip the foreplay (best example I got, sorry!) This is where most burnout happens. Inspiration on the other hand is internal, it lasts forever.

I was living for so long in this desperate state. Getting a fire under my *ss and creating the ultimate cardio cocktail that I was addicted to. To see if I could ‘pull it off.’ Bouncing from one thing to the next to run away from everyone and everything else that I could blame things on. But I was always still there and it was me running away from myself and my true potential. I was living as a hypocrite in contradiction and kept returning to the same me that I was yesterday and the day before. I don’t think it comes down to saying “oooo I’m going to take a risk today!” It comes down to looking at that person in the mirror and finding clarity in your life values and goals. From there, if a decision needs to be made to help propel you further towards the life you desire, you risk it! We all deserve to take inspired risks and have everlasting internal abundant experiences that are in flow with our outside world. We are all absolutely capable of creating the lives we can’t stop thinking about!

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I am an artist by life – graphic designer by school. I specialize in logo design and am known mainly for that. I have recently started working with wood and staining it with rainbow colors. I also create custom chakra trees on wood done in wax pastels and then frame them with copper pipes. I do this because I have an energy device with which I can charge the frame with its high conductivity, bringing an elevated level of consciousness to a space. Energy is life. And that’s what sets me apart from others. Not that I make the best and most beautiful art in the world. I mean, it’s awesome. But I will put the most love and intention into that art!

Getting to where I am at today hasn’t been easy! There are always struggles. But there are always solutions. I’ve had many challenges that I have had to work through, health being a main one. I am currently a high-risk pregnancy, having an aneurysm at the base of my brain stem that was discovered in 2019. I continue to live in faith and move forward. That’s all we can do. Take it one day at a time.

My husband and I just opened an art gallery and gift shop—a space to bring other artists, makers, doers, and dreamers together. Sunshine Sparklefaced! I’d be full of sh*t if I told you it’s been easy getting it going. But it takes sunshine AND rain to make a rainbow! We’ve painted sparkle floors, splashed the walls with vibrant colors, and have had our family’s helping hands and faith-filled hearts to bring this once barren building to life. There is an art war. Mass-produced, pre-made products that lack magic continue to push the fast-paced, half-*ssed convenience of our world today. Getting back to our roots in our lives isn’t just the clean products, healthier foods, and connecting back to nature. It’s also surrounding your environment with depth in something with an energetic connection. Something that has a story, a purpose. Art has the power to heal, to inspire, and to physically alter our brain chemistry, elevating consciousness. When you walk into Sunshine Sparklefaced and see the space and all of the art from different artists, we hope it brings happiness to your day. And the remembrance of all things beautiful that are worth making, supporting, and purchasing.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I just moved to Phoenix in January 2022 and I’m still learning all the hot spots to go! Being a previous food truck owner, I would bring them to The Pemberton for food, fun and funk! For a sophisticated date night and primal vibes, I would go to Wren and Wolf. Get their bread tower, you won’t regret it!! Absolutely make time for the Desert Botanical Garden. So much unexpected desert magic awaits! To get out of the city, check out the town of Cave Creek! There is so much local shopping, food and of course, come see Sunshine Sparklefaced!! Unique art and gifts await to awaken your senses on your visit and expand your imagination! El Encanto serves a mean prickly pear blended margarita and you can get yourself in some trouble with those. Get lost in the views from their giant pond and all the critters that live there! In the evening take your pick of country or biker bars and be sure to check out the Buffalo Chip Saloon for the weekly rodeos that get pretty wild! Drive to Bartlett Lake for some beautiful views and to see the Yellow Cliffs. Be sure to check for any concerts or sports games that are going on as well! Those are for sure a fun time!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
First and foremost, I deserve credit in my story. It comes down to the choices that we make personally. Someone else can tell you to read a book, you can hire a coach, you can go to classes and retreats and do all of these things led by others, but if you don’t truly commit to yourself, they are pointless. Now, I have some high quality influences in my life that have helped shape who I am. All from different seasons and for different reasons in my life. My parents are at the top and they’ve been there for pretty much every season and reason. So grateful for their unconditional love and support for me. My husband has been my rock, my encouragement and believes in my dreams and ideas, no matter how crazy they seem! I’ve had countless coaches, family members and friends that have given me solid advice and room to grow in our relationship with each other. I appreciate these connections deeply. I even have people that I am no longer associated with and I still have an appreciation for. Learning to let go, forgive and set boundaries is just as important as the other stuff. Thank you to the real and true ones!

Website: sunshinesparklefaced.com (launching soon!)

Instagram: sunshine_sparklefaced

Facebook: Sunshine Sparklefaced

Other: Email: sunshinesparklefacedart@gmail.com

Image Credits
Kaitlin Welty – first photo