December 22, 2011 journal, art observations by Andrew Garbrell graduate of Furman University 02/06/03. It was a pleasure working with Andy for a certain period of time. "Those that are familiar with the artwork of William Thomas Thompson know that he has a distinct, comprehensive, visual vocabulary. Due to his health, his hands shake while working, giving his paintings a unique, kinetic, energy. Even when Mr. Thompson seeks to paint beasts and dragons that intimidate and motivate, he assembles them with beautiful line quality, overwhelming rhythm, and appreciation for what is happening with his paint. Mr. Thompson admits that he painted for some time before realizing what paint can do if given freedom. His work now has a push/pull for dominance between the handsomeness of its paint and the importance of its message. This is hardly a struggle that ordinary untrained artists deal with. He is a man with a message that has a gift for mark making that can turn trained abstract artists envious. Mr. Thompson has a body of paintings whose content is primarily determined by how the paint collects after being applied to the canvas. Usually, his proclivity is to clarify what he sees in the painting by adding details, primarily of Biblical inspiration. However, with the painting "Dragon in the Abstract," Mr. Thompson resists the desire to do so. Following his intuition, he makes a break with his need for clarity and places faith in the viewer to find his message. The desire to broaden his audience motivates him to make aesthetic decisions on his canvas. Though Mr. Thompson is not ashamed of his message or the stereotypes that may be placed on him for it, he recognizes that there are those who may be more receptive to his message through a shared appreciation of the qualities of paint rather than through the use of overt images. This work, "Dragon in the Abstract," is the product of seeking the common denominator in each of the long line of red dragons from the Book of Revelations that he has painted in the past. It is impressive that he has humbled his own preferences in lieu of touching the hearts of those that prefer abstract, fine art." Andrew himself is a marvelous trained apocalyptic artist and I admire his work very much. Andrew Jay Gambrell, BA Art History/Studio Art, Furman University