Thier’s interest in art goes back to her childhood.

“The catalyst happened when I was about 2,” she said. “My dad likes to tell the story about how I asked him to draw a T Rex. Then I started crying because I thought his T Rex was better.”

The tables, since then, have turned a bit.

“They may have improved a little bit since 2 years of age,” she said.

In her own work, Thier works with acrylics.

“It dries fast, it dilutes well; it lets you paint with your fingers,” she said. “It’s a very flexible medium.”

She draws inspiration from many sources, including vintage photographs and portraits.

“My style can be described as nostalgic paintings with a modern flair,” she said, “with a fun or a silly energy.”

Thier began her career at the Blanden in August of 2015. She has degrees in art education and studio art.

Between finishing university and accepting the position at the Blanden, she spent several years at ITT Technical Institute teaching students.

“When you’ve been in school your whole life, it’s good to take a job outside the arts,” she said. “I was working with students from a different population with a lot of diversity. It was mostly non-traditional students.”

A lot of those included veterans and students seeking their GED.

“It was fantastic,” she said.

Eventually she wanted to get back into the arts.

“While ITT was a great experience, I wanted to work in the arts,” she said.

Of course, that meant relocating from Michigan where ITT was located.

“I was willing to move for an arts-related position,” Thier said.

One of her favorite aspects of teaching art to students at the Blanden is that moment when one of their faces lights up and it clicks for them.

“That eureka moment,” she said. “Seeing them grow, watching the students grow. It’s cool to watch them. I want that eureka moment for everyone.”

Thier is helping move the Blanden in new directions, including having artists come to the Blanden to give workshops.

“We’re trying to bring in more artists like Roger Feldhans, who’s doing a presentation on light painting soon,” she said. “We’ll also have a workshop with Diane Kunzler on plein air painting (French for painting outside).”

Thier enjoys the sessions too.

“It’s also a learning experience for me,” she said.

She’s also increased the Blanden’s presence on social media and keeps the museum’s website up to date.

She’s using social media to promote her own art as well.

“I’m really getting it out to a broader audience,” she said. “Sales are always a plus, always appreciated.”

She offers the same advice to artists seeking an audience for their own works.

“Just get your stuff out there and learn as you go,” she said. “Apply to art shows, go to art shows. Learn. Go do it. Don’t sit on it.”

With Thier spending her work day either teaching art, showing art, learning about art or helping to put together a collection of art to display, she does find that sometimes, her personal work and her work can’t be completely separated.

“It’s a gray area,” she said. “However, if you really enjoy the arts, it’s just enjoyable. Even the bad days, then I can look at a painting by Grant Woods, and it turns your day around.”