Smile
What makes Walt Thacker smile? “Having a good day,” said the 67-year-old Carmel resident, an artist and board member of Hamilton County Artists’ Association. He was found painting a picture at the HCAA’s 2021 Art Fair on the Square at the Hamilton County Courthouse Square in downtown Noblesville. He is often found painting at local events. Thacker is an oil painter and has belonged to HCAA for about 11 years. “I paint what makes me feel good.” As a kid, he always liked to draw, and he took lessons in school. Thacker was born in Sullivan, Ind., south of Terre Haute, and his family moved to Indianapolis when he was 6 months old. He graduated in 1973 from Pike High School, where he majored in art. “It certainly didn’t lead anywhere,” he said. “I had a lot of encouragement from my teachers, but still, you live in the real world, and you grow up and have to have a real job.” He fell in love, got married, had a family and got a job. He didn’t pursue art. He owned a Pepperidge Farm business that he operated for nine years, then bought a Mikesell’s snack food business closer to home, for 23 years. Now, he works as a self-employed courier. “I like being out and about.” When he was 36, he started painting consistently and has painted about 300 pieces. His artistic style? “I like antiques. I like landscapes. A lot of colors. You can almost call it Gothic. There’s a story going on. There are people in the pictures. There are animals. There is usually activity that goes on (in his artwork).” He is married to wife, Kris, and has a stepson, Erich; son, Paul; daughter, Mary, and two grandchildren, Hudson and Miles. “I had four brothers, and we all were artistic.” They all were art and music appreciators. But, he said, “I’m the only one who picks up a brush.” He said, “I don’t paint as a business; I just paint because I enjoy it. I sell a few pieces here and there. The love is in the painting, not so much in the selling.” He was showcased in the White River Canoe project and Carmel water barrels and was a nominee for Artist of the Year for Nickel Plate Arts. His artwork will be showcased this fall, in October, in the Noblesville Comptroller’s Office. HCAA’s Open Lens Photography Exhibit kicks off today. HCAA’s Art Fair on the Square is 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday on the Courthouse Square with many vendors.