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

Hi Tom, do you disagree with some advice that is more or less universally accepted?
That being an artist means you will never make good money.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I have been an artist pretty much all my life. I was always attracted to art and creative tasks since I was a little boy. It wasn’t until I was in high school that I decided to make a career of being an artist. I went to college for graphic design and advertising where I received my degree. About three months after graduating I landed a job at a small design and advertising firm in Saint Louis Missouri. A few years later I moved to Los Angeles where I continued my career for about seventeen years. I worked many jobs in the design field as Designer/Art Director and Product Development Manager. The challenges were great at many of the companies I worked at but all were rewarding and prepared me for the current place I am now. About thirteen years ago I moved to Vancouver Washington, just outside Portland OR. After leaving the company I worked for as the Senior Art Director and Product Manager, I decided to start up my own company Tom West Artworks and focus on being in control of my creative, not other people’s creative/business vision.

The first most important lesson I learned from a professor in college was, “if you think being an artist is going to be easy professionally, you better think about a different profession. This will be the hardest and most critical profession you have ever entered into.” Boy, was she right. Ha ha. But being a creative
I would also have to say that the other most important lesson that came as really good advice from a fellow design professional was “You will find that you have a talent to do many other things when working for advertising/design companies. Some being very non-creative talents. Don’t get sucked into those positions if you want to remain a creative person”

I would have to say that I have always stayed true to my vision of remaining a creative in the professional world. I have been offered many opportunities at past jobs to move into a non-creative position. That would have been a great mistake.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Restaurants: Portland OR

Andina

Pine State Biscuit

Screen Door

Departure (has great views of the city form the top of the Nines Hotel)

Urban Farmer (also in the Nines Hotel)… Great hotel to stay at. We have had a few “Staycations” there and always loved it!

Happy Hour at City Grill. (Also great views of the city.)

In Vancouver WA we found a great Mexican restaurant Woody’s. Great authentic Mexican cuisine, being from LA…

For outdoor adventures:
Any of the hikes in The Columbia River Gorge, Multnomah Falls, Horse Tail Falls, Angel’s Rest…

For Coastal adventures, we always like to visit the Oregon coast particularly Cannon Beach.
We also love to occasionally stay at The Chanel House B&B in Depot Bay. Always guaranteed to see a grey whale or two playing in the bay!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
All the other artists/small business owners here in the Portland Oregon and Vancouver Washington area

Website: tomwestartworks.com

Instagram: Tom_west_artworks

Facebook: https://facebook.com/tom.west.12139

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