Painted by David Thacker of Port Austin. (Courtesy/ David Thacker)

Painted by David Thacker of Port Austin. (Courtesy/ David Thacker)

Painted by David Thacker of Port Austin. (Courtesy/ David Thacker)

Painted by David Thacker of Port Austin. (Courtesy/ David Thacker)

Port Austinartist shares his story and motivations with the world

PORT AUSTIN Painting in the tranquil village of Port Austin is notable artist David Thacker inspired by everything around him.

Sometimes, it will be a dream, movie, or another artist, Thacker said. My favorite show piece is the Mother Teresa. It was inspired by Andy Warhol. I wanted to change it and make it pop. It is explicit, but simple to me.

Thacker was deeply hurt over the way he saw people treat one another during the past couple of months, when desperate and scared. As general manager at the Dollar General in town, Thacker witnessed several customers fighting over various store items.

It was a good time to remind people of humanity, Thacker said. I am an essential worker. I have seen the worst in people. I have seen people act savage for toilet paper. I have seen people snatch items from the elderly. Ive seen some terrible things. Ive cried over it. People are mean.

He has chosen to express these feelings through the colorful strokes of his paint brush.

It seemed like the right painting at the right time, he said. I worked seven days a week and the nicest thing anyone did for me was buy a Coke. It brought me to tears.

In sync with the world around him, Thacker paints the intangible onto blank canvases. Abstract brushstrokes seemingly mimic real life, often somehow harmonizing with the thoughts and feelings of its future owner. He spoke of a young boy, whom he has grown rather fond of over the years.

I met a young kid, Thacker said. He bought a joker painting,

Oddly enough, Thacker had just painted exactly what the boy was looking for.

It was meant just for him, he said, left without another explanation. Then, they came back the next year and asked for a unicorn. I just painted one the day before.

Another family came out to the market looking for a Dragon Ball Z picture.

And I just did one, Thacker said. Maybe they are putting it out into the universe just as much as I am.

For the self-taught artist, his work is dependent on mood.

There are no expectations, he said. It can just be. The freedom is wonderful. When it comes out beautiful, it is the icing on the cake.

Thacker shared his two favorite pieces: Chaos and Just Dream. Dream was inspired by French impressionistic painter Claude Monet.

It has bright colors in a blur of water, said Thacker. To me, it is marvelous. I just cant bring myself to sell it. It just happened without any expectations. It is freedom. It is like being a dream. If only I could just walk into my own painting. Each is a window into my eyes.

Thackers art did not fully blossom until he moved from the streets of Detroit up to the quiet lake town he now calls home. It was 1996 and Thacker was just 16 years old.

My mom passed away when I was 15 from an overdose, he said. I was living on the streets.

Orphaned, as he had been numerous times before, Thacker knew his options.

It was getting locked up in juvenile hall or running away, he said. I came up here with friends on camping trip. A friend asked if I wanted to do farm work in the fields. I did it and did it for years. I floated back and forth, but this became home base.

Thacker made the decision to attend the Huron Area Technical Center in Bad Axe, where he completed his GED.

God put me here, I believe, said Thacker. I had to do it for myself. I didnt want to have nothing. I wanted to graduate."

From there, the painter did what he knew best and continued painting. However, this was far from the birth place of his unique artistic expression.

I remember being in preschool and being taken away from mom, the Thacker said. I would have that time in art class and want to give it to mom. It was my way of showing her that I loved and missed her.

Thacker remembered living with his aunt going back to his mother. He would live in and out of the foster care system for the remainder of his childhood.

I was taken away again and went with another family, he said. Then, I lived with the Potts. They were terrible. They just did it for the check. The next family wanted to adopt, but my mom fought and won us back.

When Thacker went back to live with his mother, his art was finally embraced.

She covered a wall with my finger paintings, Thacker said. The entire wall was covered. She was not the best mom, but she bought me the best art supplies. Finger paints were my first paints.

In the third grade, he attended Davison Elementary and was selected to be in a special art program.

Detroit schools took five to seven of the most talented kids and put them in a special program, Thacker said. They always put my art on the walls. My mom would come in and take pictures. I would be embarrassed. Now, I can see how important that was.

Thacker's art still hangs on its walls today.

It was my contribution to the school, he said.

Oddly enough, Thacker donated some of his art to the "Suite Dreams Project" in Detroit a couple years back.

They support that same school and I didnt even know that, he said, reminiscing on his time there. I will never forget my art teacher. He was my favorite part. I will never forget the first time I used acrylics. I cant tell you the first time I kissed somebody, but I can tell you the first time I used acrylics.

Today, Thackers work sells at The Cove in Port Austin and local craft shows, including the Holly Berry Fair in Caseville, Port Austin Farmers Market, and Port Austins Art in the Park.

The market is my bread and butter, he said. It is wonderful. Hundreds of people see your work and it is lucrative. Between that and regular life, I stay pretty busy.

Thackers paintings are currently on display at the market, where all but six have already sold this year.

Thacker ensures his prices meet the diverse monetary needs of all customers.

There is a range the highest being $450 down to $20, he said. There has got to be something for everyone. That kid that works all summer you know he cant afford it. That joker painting was just three simple colors. They sell pretty quickly. I am doing well, but this is where the art took off."

There was a single table at Thacker's first Port Austin craft show. Only seven paintings and a handful bracelets laid across it. At first, he struggled.

"Now, I love it here," he said. "I am our local artist. It is food for the soul. It is fabulous to walk down the street and hear 'That is our local artist!' I want everyone to feel inspired artistically. I just want people to be happy."

Thacker's art can be found online at http://www.facebook.com/Thackers-Art-Alley-124193411023027.

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Port Austin artist shares his story and motivations with the world - Huron Daily Tribune