July Artist Member of the Month

Congratulations to our July Artist Member of the Month Cade Thornton! Cade or as you may know him at ArtWalk Cottage Art by Cade, is a self-taught artist with roots in a small town just outside of Dothan, Alabama. By day, he works as an electrician but by night, he transforms into a dedicated and passionate creator.

Cade’s artistic journey began in 2020 when he picked up oil painting with no formal training just a brush, some paint, and a lot of determination. “I didn’t have a clue what I was doing,” he says. Inspired by Bob Ross and countless online tutorials, Cade made painting a nightly practice. In 2021, he joined Mobile’s ArtWalk and quickly found a welcoming community that fueled his growth.

In 2023, Cade’s creativity took a bold new direction: casting fire ant mounds in aluminum. What started as a simple experiment quickly evolved into something more meaningful. “People see these mounds as blemishes in their yard,” Cade explains, “but I wanted to turn them into something beautiful, something worth displaying.”

Cade also uncovered a fascinating connection to Mobile’s history: fire ants were first introduced to the U.S. through the Port of Mobile. His sculptures now serve as both art and quiet reminders of our region’s untold stories.

In 2024, Cade joined Lupercalia Art Society, a vibrant gallery that showcases his work. If you haven’t yet seen one of his aluminum fire ant sculptures in person, now’s the time. Though many have gone viral online, nothing compares to witnessing them up close and meeting the artist behind the work.

Thank you, Cade, for your unique perspective and the creativity you bring to our arts community.