‘Art came as therapy at a time when I needed it,’ said Gavin Thomas, 52
YOU might have seen Gavin Thomas spray painting colourful images of space and nature outside the closed down Dorothy Perkins store on Queen Street.
His simple but striking images of space scenery are propped up against the temporary boards errected around the former department store.
Somerset-born Gavin originally came to South Wales to study at arts in Pontypridd. He earned his living working in construction and as a landscape gardener.
But six years ago, the 52-year-old was living with his partner in Roath when their child was still-born six months into the pregnancy.
Just a few days later, Gavin and his partner were evicted from their home as they couldn’t afford a rent increase, he said.
“I was left feeling completely depressed. I also felt disempowered for not having enough money,” Gavin said.
Before his child passed away, Gavin worked between Cardiff and his hometown of Minehead, but his traumatic week left him unable to work and he found himself in receipt of Universal Credit.
In 2008, after leaving university, Gavin went to art school in Cyprus while in his 20s.
After his life changed, Gavin fell back on his art education to move forwards with his life.
“I always wanted to pursue something creative like art. After I left university in Pontypridd, I never found a job in life which suited me,” Gavin said.
“After my child passed, my partner started to give me art lessons and I learned how to spray paint.
“It came as therapy at a time when I needed it.
“My partner’s friend had also gifted me a space painting, which hit me at an emotional time. It amazed me how much you could get out of spray paints.”
Gavin is no longer with the partner with whom he lost the child, but they still support each other, he said.
Inspired by his partner, Gavin started to spray paint his own pictures and sell them on the street.
“My paintings are mostly space-themed, but I also do landscape paintings,” said Gavin.
“I mix my colours while using paper to prevent over-spray.”
When Gavin was in school in Minehead, his art teacher told him he needed to look at life with “a new set of eyes.”
“That stuck with me,” the 52-year-old said. “It originally made me lose confidence in art, and I became frustrated by the time it took to paint.
“But now, before I pick up my cans of spray paint, I think of my life experiences, and I use my emotions to guide what I paint. I can paint one in less than 30 minutes.”
Gavin gets his paints from an art shop called Scott Off The Press on Church Street.
“I carry them around in a pram, which I find efficient,” he said.
“Sometimes people stop to look at my work, mostly other artists and children with their parents.”
Gavin lives on the donations he receives for the paintings and, despite recently losing his Universal Credit benefits after missing some appointments, he dreams of making a living from art.
“If I didn’t carry on my art, I don’t know how I would have survived,” he said.
“I’d love to have my own studio or an art cafe, instead of sitting in front of a closed-up shop all the time.
“It’s hard to make sales without the right resources.
“So many talented artists can’t sell their work because they can’t advertise it. They’ll either keep it as a hobby or give up.
“If everybody was given a chance in life, they would thrive.”
