Interview
Kiana Thompson
Kiana Thompson is a talented artist who grew up in Fairbanks, Alaska, where she developed a profound passion for art. From a young age, she engaged in drawing and exploring various artistic mediums. Kiana further pursued her artistic interests at the university level, where she continued to refine her skills. Kiana currently sells her prints through local artist shops at Central Craft and online platforms. Her art explores themes of faith, hope, and wonder. Her work grows out of her faith in God and how that faith influences the way she lives and creates. Through her art, she expresses hope for a brighter future and a belief in the goodness that still exists in the world. She is continually drawn to the sense of wonder found in life’s small mysteries—the quiet, sacred moments that remind her of something greater than herself. Kiana often paints undefined, abstract backgrounds filled with texture, inviting both visual and tactile engagement.
What is your background and how did you start your journey in the art world?
“I developed a profound passion for art from a young age, engaging in drawing and exploring various artistic mediums. During high school, I enrolled in Advanced Placement art courses and actively participated in local art exhibitions. I further pursued my artistic interests at university, where I refined my skills. In 2022, after relocating to Australia with my family, I discovered a particular affinity for printmaking. In 2023, I co-hosted a joint exhibition entitled ‘Prints and Pots,’ collaborating with local ceramicists to showcase my work. I made the decision to follow my dream of becoming a full-time professional artist and took the leap by enrolling in the Milan Art Mastery Program. This academically rigorous qualification has launched my career and facilitated my artistic growth.”
What inspires you?
“I find inspiration in the goodness and beauty found in everyday life. My work aims to see beyond the mundane and into the mysterious, piercing the thin veil between the natural and the supernatural. I seek to uncover the hidden treasures that everyday life has to offer.”
What themes do you pursue? Is there an underlying message in your work?
“The themes I pursue follow closely with what inspires me. My work is born from a place of contemplation and prayer—quiet moments where I listen deeply and allow what I sense to flow through my hands. Each piece becomes a reflection of that sacred dialogue, a visual language that captures the unseen exchange between my heart and God. Sometimes my art is a response to what I feel He is speaking to me—an expression of gratitude, awe, or surrender. Other times, it’s me reaching out, asking questions, or seeking understanding through color, texture, and form. In this way, my creative process becomes both an act of worship and discovery. Every mark, every layer, carries a trace of that conversation. My hope is that when others encounter my work, they too feel invited into a moment of stillness and connection—a reminder that beauty often emerges from listening, and that art can be a bridge between the divine and the human spirit.”
How would you describe your work?
“I would describe my work as a representational expressionism. The subjects within my work typically feature undefined, abstract backgrounds, rich with textures, both visually and physically engaging the observer, while representational figures take center stage. I employ high contrast in color to create dramatic effects and explore the intricate interplay of light. Techniques like printmaking and collage are thoughtfully integrated into the base layers of my pieces, complemented by inks, washes, and occasional bursts of spray paint that imbue the work with unexpected vibrancy and depth. They are finished in oil paint to bring richness and depth to them.”
Which artists influence you most?
“At this moment in time I would have to say some of the artist that influence me the most are Dimitra Milan and Eli Milan. They have been my teachers and mentors over the last year and have really taught me how to paint. They taught me how to find my voice as an artist and have excellence in what I do.”
What is your creative process like?
“I am a very visual thinker, which is probably not a surprise seeing as I am an artist. Usually, my works begin with an idea that I see in my minds eye or phrases that I hear and see an image of. Then, I create a photo reference to use while painting. Sometimes, it's just an idea board and sometimes its a full resolved image. The base layers are always my favorite and is where I get to play with different mediums. Using a mixture of ink, washes, and incorporating printmaking. Depending on the subject matter I may add in spray paint and added texture. I finish them in oils which allow me to refine objects and push and pull the depth of the piece.”
What is an artist’s role in society and how do you see that evolving?
“I believe the role of an artist in society is to reveal beauty—to uncover it in places where it’s often overlooked and to remind others that it still exists, even in the midst of chaos or uncertainty. Art has the power to lift our gaze beyond the ordinary, to awaken something deep within us that longs for meaning, hope, and transformation. In a time when it’s easy to become numb or disheartened, art becomes a quiet revolution of the soul. It stirs courage, rekindles wonder, and reminds us that beauty has the power to heal, to unite, and to move us toward something greater. The artist, then, becomes both a mirror and a guide—reflecting truth while illuminating the path toward hope and possibility.”
Website: kianathompsonfineart.com
Instagram: @kianathompsonfineart
