131 NIZHONI THOMPSON WOOD Junior Nizhoni Thompson establishes an artistic presence on campus through woodburning designs. Beginning in 2017, junior Nizhoni Thompson owned and operated her own woodburning business. She first received a wood burner when she was 10 years old, but did not use it until she made a Christmas present for a friend years later. After that initial piece, Thompson opened her own Etsy shop, NizhoniTdesign. The process of woodburning consisted of sketching out a design in a sketchbook, transferring the design onto a piece of wood, tracing over the artwork with the woodburner, and painting and spraying the piece before it was completed. Thompson received the most orders at Christmas, averaging 50 ornaments and 20 custom pieces. Thompson said she tried not to think about processing the large amount of orders until she returned home to Alabama for Thanksgiving break. During the school year, she used the free time between her studies and the women’s cross country and track and field teams to fulfill orders. Thompson described her style as the fusion of hip, retro, ’90s and Southwestern with big, bright colors. Thompson expressed herself and connected with customers’ memories through her art. “It’s been a really good way to connect with people,” Thompson said. “A lot of times, the pieces that you’re making mean something special to somebody, like the house they grew up in or a dog that they had that passed away, so it’s really good to hear people’s stories or see what’s special to them. As far as expressing myself, it’s funny because the pieces that I do aren’t really my style that I like, so it’s hard to put my edge on it.” Sophomore and fellow cross country teammate Molly Passmore found Thompson’s art to be reflective of her spirit. “Her woodburning really reflects her creativity and attention to detail,” Passmore said. “Whenever I see her art, it always feels like a piece of her is burned into the wood.” Junior Sydney Tabor was roommates with Thompson and knew her since her freshman year. “Her determination to cultivate her relationships with friends, strive for improvement athletically and enhance her education all while profiting from this business will stay with her and benefit her for the rest of her life,” Tabor said. “I can’t wait to see the success and happiness Nizhoni finds for herself in her future.” story by Emily Sundermeier Burnt to perfection! Nizhoni Thompson uses her woodburner on a piece of wood. Thompson started a very successful business selling her art. | photo by Chantel Ceaser Nizhoni Thompson poses at her desk. Thompson explored her creativity through her renewed interest in woodburning. | photo by Chantel Ceaser LOVE THIS you
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