Our people: Main Street community inspires local artist

Tyra Mae Marshall is a local artist working at the Just Kiln Me Now studio located at 405 Main St. in Clovis. She has lived at Cannon Air Force Base for the last six years while her husband is stationed here.

Marshall, a San Diego native, met her husband in high school but the couple didn't start dating until a few years into her college days. While a student, Marshall studied media arts and animation at various schools near her hometown.

Marshall hopes to pursue her career goals in stop-motion animation or pottery in the future, as she and her husband soon wrap up their time here in Clovis.

Q: Do you have a favorite artist?

A: No one in particular. I gather a lot of knowledge on style and technique from a long list of artists. If the artists has amazing animation skills, character design or anything spooky themed I'm probably a fan of their work.

Q: What's the best thing about your job?

A: That I get to do what I'm most passionate about and I get to help others wanting to try it out too. I like when I can share my creative inputs. I don't have a specific form of art that I favor so I enjoy that the (Just Kiln Me Now) studio is open to doing it all.

Q: What is your favorite book?

A: Does a comic book count? One of my most favorites (if not the most favorite) are the Sandman comics, written by Neil Gaiman. When it comes to writers, he's my favorite.

Q: What is your favorite season and why?

A: Hands down, autumn. It's the season of spooks but it's also baking and soup and sweater season. All things cozy. It's when I like to hike, camp, and just be outside feeling the crisp air.

Q: If you could go anywhere in the world for a day, where would you go and why?

A: Anywhere with beautiful forestry, local myths, stories and scenic viewpoints. I feel most at peace in places like that. Something like the feeling of Zen and excitement at the same time. I just love the outdoors a lot I guess.

Q: What is the best gift you have ever received?

A: When I got to adopt my pup. He's like my shadow, my adventure buddy, my therapy. He's helped me with my anxiety disorder so much that I could never thank him enough. He's therapeutic for my spouse as well.

Q: Do you collect anything?

A: Oh I used to be a big collector of comics, movie posters and figurines. I've let most of them go, but the habit of collecting still happens in my life. I collect random things on walks like pretty pinecones and rocks. I like to collect artwork from my friends, and local artists, homemade Christmas ornaments, and anything Halloween related.

Q: If your friends and family had to describe you in one word, what word would they choose?

A: It's always hard to answer questions like these because I don't like speaking for others. Specific words (I) hear a lot are "weird" and "creative." I would say most of my family calls me weird and most of my friends call me creative. I suppose it's a perspective thing.

Q: If you could travel back in time to any year, which would it be and why?

A: 2011 because it is when I felt most adventurous, alive and independent. (That's) when I felt like I was actually making real connections with people.

Q: What is your favorite thing about Clovis?

A: I would say the community on Main Street. It's where I see everyone being supportive of each other and where I see the most creativity and meet the most interesting people.