Meet Theron Cartwright
November's Featured Artist
For artist Theron Cartwright, creativity has always been his way of speaking without words. As a kid, he was imaginative but shy, and art quickly became his safe place. It was where he could express himself freely and feel completely understood. “I felt that I could express myself freely when I made art,” he says. “Art is my favorite language to use when I have something to say.”
What began with copying comic book styles and family drawings has grown into a practice rooted in curiosity, emotion, and self-expression. Over time, Theron’s work has evolved through experimentation, learning, and connection with his community.
Theron doesn’t limit himself to one medium or approach. Sometimes he tells stories through sequential art. Other times he follows a feeling or idea into something completely new. “Every medium has its own strengths,” he says. “But not every one can communicate every idea.” That understanding gives him the freedom to move between pencils, paint, and digital tools, always guided by what the story calls for.
For Theron, art isn’t just a hobby. It’s part of who he is. “I make art for the same reason I breathe. I have to do it,” he says. Accepting that truth changed everything for him. “Once I accepted that I’m an artist, everything in my life became a little easier. Art has helped me grow into a better person and live a more fulfilling life.”
His motivation comes from a deep desire to share his thoughts and dreams. “I stay motivated by wanting to pour out all my ideas, to strive toward my goals and dreams, and by that feeling you get when you create something you’re proud of.” Everyday life plays a big part in his creative process. Conversations, challenges, and new experiences often inspire his work. “Listening to the people in my life, going through ups and downs, learning new things, and paying attention to social issues all play a part in what I create.”
Theron’s creative process changes from piece to piece. Sometimes it starts with a small sketch or passing idea. Other times he begins with a full vision already in mind. He develops each piece through sketching, outlining, and refining until it finds its true shape. “I know I’m done when everything I wanted to say feels like it’s being said,” he explains.
His tools are simple but essential: a pencil or pen, a sketchbook, and his iPad. Every project begins with one of them. “When I have an idea, I think about what I’m trying to say and how to say it at the same time.” He sees creativity and technical skill as deeply connected, something he has practiced since childhood.
Much of Theron’s work centers on themes of self-love, identity, and cultural pride. He hopes his art helps others appreciate who they are. “I focus on inspiring self-appreciation in others and in myself,” he says. “My art helps me appreciate my family, my community, my culture, and the African diaspora I’m part of. I want others to feel that same love for themselves.”
One of his proudest achievements is his Golden Blocks mural, A Community Built on the Shoulders of Giants. It marked a turning point in his career and taught him lessons he still carries today. “I’m grateful for what I learned and experienced because of that mural,” he says.
His journey has not been easy. He has faced poverty, unfairness, lack of time, and moments of doubt, yet he never stopped creating. “I overcame every obstacle because I kept learning and kept creating. You can’t get worse at art if you don’t quit.”
Art has opened doors for Theron to teach children, collaborate with his community, and celebrate his heritage through public projects. “My art has allowed me to make friends, to teach, and to beautify my community. I hope young artists, especially in my family, see me creating and feel confident to chase their dreams.”
His art also serves as quiet advocacy. His experiences as a Black man have shaped his understanding of justice and humanity, and those ideas naturally find their way into his work. “Everything I have to say, I try to say through my art,” he says. “My life has made me sensitive to oppression and completely opposed to injustice and marginalization.”
Theron’s earliest inspirations came from home. His older brother, Dershawn, and his uncles, Sean and Tim, made drawing feel fun and natural. Even a small sketch from his dad made a lasting impression. “It probably wasn’t significant to him, but it encouraged me to enjoy art even more.” Those early examples, along with guidance from teachers and other artists, remain deeply meaningful to him.
Looking ahead, Theron has no shortage of goals. He wants to keep growing, painting, animating, and telling new stories. He hopes to publish more comics and continue refining his craft. “I want my art to become more engaging, more skillfully created, and more focused,” he says. His advice to other artists is simple: fall in love with making art, enjoy the process, and never stop learning. “Research everything you can, read, watch, study, take classes if you can, and always keep an open mind.”
Outside of his art, Theron finds joy in the simple things. He visits bookstores and comic shops, plays basketball, watches movies and anime, reads, and spends time with his family. He also writes poetry, a passion he mostly keeps private. “I love writing poetry, but I almost never share it. It’s something I do just for myself.”
At its heart, Theron Cartwright’s work is about love, learning, and perseverance. His art celebrates culture, growth, and community. Through every line, color, and story, he invites others to see themselves more clearly and find beauty in who they are.
Come celebrate Theron’s latest work with us on Thursday, November 13, 2025, as we cut the ribbon on his newest mural, Heroes at Home and Abroad: African Americans in the Military during the Golden Blocks Era, 1898–1945.
The event will take place at 1134 Laney Walker Blvd from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Join us in honoring this important addition to the Golden Blocks Legacy and celebrating an artist whose work continues to uplift, inspire, and connect our community
