Daily Journal April 8, 1999 Winthrop University Rock Hill, South Carolina Dear Mr. Stanley Re; Visionary art It was indeed an honor to be with you and your students at Winthrop. I feel however that you may have wanted to hear more about how I paint. My journal has not yet reached a point where I can settle down to art alone although I should have chosen a day of it to read that described in more detail the way I paint. I have been concerned about this and wondering if I could ever stay on the subject since I paint about prophecy being fulfilled as I see it happening every day in so many world events. (Some call it spiritual or soul art from the inside of me.) I find it hard to describe how I paint art because with me it all just seems to happen and I do not really know why or how I do it. Everyday I intend to describe it but find it impossible with all there is to say otherwise that seems so important. Like sugar is easy for the body to burn and the fat so hard. Others describe my method of painting so well. Jim Mann calls it wet on wet but I do not yet know what he means by that term. In any case if I am ever invited to speak again I will attempt to better control the subject to art without all the current events and my journal life. It was originally suggested that I paint a picture daily to correspond with my journal but I have not, it’s hard like burning fat. (Health, the art of living and feeling good and strong)I actually feel more like a consumer advocate than an artist. All my energy is spent trying to get well. What is bad for me to eat is bad for the world, what is healthy for me is healthy the world. I hope to change people to better health by eating better food in this synthetic world. I estimate half the people are sick in mind and body. Fried foods with white flour and hydrogenated corn oils like margarine are killing America I believe. My motivation daily and consistently is to show people like they are in time relative to Bible prophecy. Things happen for me on canvases that amaze me. I have no talent. The inspiration is from God yet I must control it, there is a temptation always to misuse it for personal reason. "I will redefine your work as fine art" Dr. James Mann Jr. LVAM to answer your question about the hanging of my big painting, I do prefer it be hung all at eye level. Roger Manley wanted it to be put up in a spiral display but Mark Ward at AVAM hung it like a cathedral ceiling I believe for space reasons. Some of the places on the world tour it is planned to show next year complain that they do not have enough space and have ask for a reduced size.(I do not see it as fine art or folk art but visionary art.)The kingdom of God is not controlled by the church, not the modern church. I am reluctant to answer the question about my membership in the church of today. I have mixed feelings. I understand why they do not allow art in the protestant movement. My art is different and I am disappointed that it is rejected by the church but happy that it seems to be popular with people, I feel alienated by the church. My mission is on the street. I still love the church. Sincerely, William Thomas Thompson