Meet Erica Thomas | Artist

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

Hi Erica, can you tell us more about your background and the role it’s played in shaping who you are today?
I grew up in Centerville, Utah, and spent much of my early life feeling like I didn’t quite fit in. As an introvert, I was overwhelmed by how much attention was placed on sports and social status in junior high and high school. I had good friends, but most of them were extroverted and more drawn to dances and school events, while I usually preferred staying home with my family.

When I was younger, I often told people I wanted to be an artist—mainly because I looked up to my dad, who is one himself. But for a long time, I wasn’t set on that path. In my late teens, I felt lost. I didn’t know what I was passionate about or what I wanted to do with my life. I even considered dropping out of high school and finding some ordinary job, just to get by.

Everything changed when my family moved to a small town in central Utah called Mayfield. I was 17 and halfway through my junior year. That move came at exactly the right time—I was desperate for a fresh start. I decided to stick with school and even started thinking seriously about continuing my education. Snow College was just down the road in Ephraim, and on a bit of a whim, I enrolled.

I chose to major in art because it was one of the few things I still felt connected to. That decision led me to incredible professors who encouraged me to apply for the AFA program. I spent the next three years in what I now consider the best place I’ve ever been. I made amazing friends, explored new forms of creativity, and most importantly, I discovered what I truly love: graphic design and video editing. For the first time, I felt like I belonged.

I just graduated Snow College with an Associate of Fine Arts, and I’m so excited for all the artistic opportunities ahead.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I’ve always been drawn to the visual side of language, which is why typography plays such a big role in my art. I work primarily with Adobe Illustrator, After Effects, and Photoshop—tools I use to create poster designs and animations that explore typography. Whether it’s a bold poster design or a motion graphic, I’m always searching for ways to bring words to life visually.

One of the things that sets my work apart is how often I pull inspiration from music. I’m a huge music lover, and meaningful lyrics often spark my creative process. I love taking a song and transforming it into a visual experience—similar to a lyric video, but more conceptual and expressive. I think music does a beautiful job at expressing certain ideas, and I enhance those ideas with visuals.

Art school played a crucial role in shaping who I am today. It was an opportunity for me to experiment with a wide range of mediums and figure out what resonated with me. Once I found graphic design and video editing, things started to click. I surrounded myself with supportive mentors and peers, and I made work that felt true to me—not just what I thought others wanted to see.

I think an important lesson I’ve learned is that your path doesn’t have to be clear from the beginning. Every day I learn new things and discover more about myself, and those things help me become a better artist. It’s okay to focus on yourself first and take things a day at a time. Your path will become clearer the more you practice and continue learning.

I want the world to know that I create to inspire. I’m not chasing fame or perfection—I just want to use my creativity to encourage people even in small ways. If someone feels seen, understood, or uplifted by something I made, then I’ve done what I set out to do.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I’m from a really small town, but that doesn’t mean there’s a shortage of things to do. If my friends came to visit, I’d start by taking them up the canyon to enjoy the view from the top—it’s so beautiful. There are fun trails perfect for hiking or riding ATVs, and the fresh mountain air is always so refreshing.

Just a few miles north is Palisade State Park, where we could spend the day kayaking on the lake, swimming, or playing a round of golf. The location is very peaceful and scenic—perfect for a relaxed afternoon.

One of my favorite activities is going to the movies, especially in smaller towns where the theaters have that old-school, rustic charm. Catching a new release in a cozy theater always makes for a fun night out.

As for food, I’d definitely take them to a few local diners. Nothing’s better than a good burger and a big scoop of ice cream. The food may be simple, but it’s always satisfying.

Overall, I just love the green fields, the open skies, and the surrounding mountains. The scenery here never gets old, and I think there’s something really special about slowing down and enjoying the beauty of a quieter place.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
The Snow College Visual Arts Faculty deserve a huge shoutout. I would not be where I am today without the encouragement of Scott Allred, Kelly Brooks, Amy Jorgensen, Adam Larsen, and Brad Taggart. They have been so supportive of me and my artistic journey, and I cannot thank them enough.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ericacacacedits/

Other: email: erithom2004@gmail.com

Image Credits
Erica Thomas, Dave Thomas, Paige Ison