Artist Bio

Wyanne Thompson is an American painter whose work is as inspiring as her personal journey. With a BFA from Wesleyan College and graduate studies at the Portfolio Center in Atlanta, she has been a full-time artist for over 30 years. Currently based in Madison, Georgia, Wyanne’s colorful and bold pieces aim to inspire, uplift, and immerse viewers. Her enchanting paintings have captivated collectors worldwide and moved many with her remarkable story.

In late 2013, Wyanne (pronounced Y-Ann) was diagnosed with Stage IV head and neck cancer, despite being a lifelong non-smoker. She underwent extensive surgery, including the complete removal of her tongue and numerous lymph nodes. After enduring months of chemotherapy and radiation, Wyanne relearned to speak, though she will always have impaired speech. Now, 10 years later, she remains cancer-free.

Wyanne views her cancer experience as a transformative gift, propelling her to live life fully and express herself more boldly. Her treatment and survival journey led her to create larger pieces with vibrant colors. Using fluid techniques, she layers transparent colors to create new hues, predominantly painting on raw, unprimed canvas. Inspired by Helen Frankenthaler, she allows her colors to flow, creating a controlled staining effect.

For Wyanne, painting is a form of unhindered communication with the world and a healing force in her life. Her work is a dance between artist and paint, where sometimes the artist leads, and other times the paint takes the lead. With her eyes wide open, she allows colors to interact, light to reflect in the shadows, and energy to vibrate in the stillness. This dance fulfills her life-affirming mission to capture the magic in her work.