Heritage on the Mother Road: The Thompson Story
Carri Colvin
Artist Statement
With writing and illustration being one of my truest loves, I was thrilled to be commissioned to show a glimpse into the Thompson history through visual storytelling. Immersing myself in their boardroom of photographs and memorabilia hung throughout the dealership, I took a visual drive through the years of inspiration and prayed about how I could honor their founding family’s history. Photographs and artwork documenting more than a century of celebrations, a Caddy carrying a future president in a parade, the ever-changing Cadillac Crest and its own beautiful history reflecting the culture of its respective time… I had plenty of muses.
The Thompsons’ first building on the Mother Road, located at 417 St. Louis Street, called out to me with a plea to paint that I could not deny. I wondered if the man in the picture had any foresight about the legacy he would leave behind. With a growing business, the Thompsons were in their second building by 1927—a year that must be celebrated, for it was the year the Thompsons acquired their Cadillac franchise. A 1927 Cadillac Phaeton convertible drives off the lot. I marveled at the carefully designed details, down to the emblem, whose design evolved several times during the Roaring Twenties. What a magnificent beast she was to paint!
Cruising through the years to 1966—a wink to the Mother Road’s iconic number—the Thompsons had moved once again to a location on the route at 727 East St. Louis Street. This year also commemorates and celebrates the gorgeous 1966 Cadillac Eldorado convertible currently on the Thompson showroom floor. She is a beauty and a must-see… and was a tremendous joy to paint!
From the bottom of my heart, I am grateful for the opportunity to show a bit of the Thompsons’ heritage on the Mother Road, with a very special thanks to Heidi and Miles!
Thank you to our Sculpture Sponsor
Carri Colvin
Creating from the heART, Carri Colvin’s passion is storytelling through painting, sculpture, woodworking, knitting, the written word… whatever medium the narrative requires to create beauty, inspiration, and connection. Her work has adorned homes and businesses and taken many forms—from commissioned artwork and portraiture to building imaginative displays from scratch as a Display Artist for Anthropologie and creating installations for Alice + Olivia.
Her motto says it best: “If it’s paintable, I’ll paint it!”
Carri established The Creative Spectrum in 2001 after moving from her hometown of Springfield, Missouri, to Naples, Florida, where she built a life and career as a professional artist. Now, after 25 years in Florida, she is thrilled to be home again in Springfield, reestablishing herself within the creative community she once called home.
At the heart of Carri’s work is a desire to inspire—to encourage people, especially children, to explore their creativity, find hope in all things, and think BIG thoughts. She believes there is immeasurable possibility waiting in our imaginations and considers it a privilege to help bring those possibilities to life.
When she isn’t creating, Carri can often be found wandering in the woods, looking for inspiration. She is grateful to once again hang her muddy boots at home in Springfield.