Our story

Welcome to Cinnamoncat

This is Cinnamoncat.studio, LLC. Featuring the output from my studio including woodworking projects and artwork. Designs are original and wholly owned by Cinnamoncat.studio,LLC.

Hi! I'm Craig S Thompson, an award-winning artist and recently retired therapist. I have launched this site and these projects as my second wind after thirty-five years working in the field of healthcare.

My boys call it my “side hustle”. I am currently based in West Des Moines Iowa.

Artwork is a part of the panoply of activities I have often referred to as Generative. By this I mean making things through a process that involves as many of the senses as possible. Of course, this includes quite a range of things from drawing to gardening and beyond.

I have always enjoyed painting and working with wood. During my long career I often encouraged those I was helping to immersive themselves in creative activities that engage the senses. (This is evermore the case as we have been passing through the era of the pandemic).

The more senses the better. What I learned is that creative activity enhances the best kind of brain activity. Some have told me they gained a sense of calm, a boost in energy, an improved ability to handle stress and self-respect.

What I am presenting here is the result of a pursuit. The chasing of ideas and the challenge of making something out of the chase. Sometimes it’s a rabbit hole sometimes a new vista. Lots of directions and lots of tangles.

I enjoy history, learning from friends and family, and am always willing to be inspired by what I see others doing. One of my mantras is “Inspiration is a far more productive feeling than fear or regret.”

I have also been musing over the concept of retirement and the possibility of another creative chapter in my life. I’ve been writing and drawing a lot about the curious side of being the Retired Guy. Things are not yet set up to do the blog or instructive videos but they are in the works.

As this project evolves, I hope to share the stories and inspiration picked up along the way. With the help of my three sons, I hope to make this as interactive as possible. But hey, I’m retired and I don’t really have to be doing this. So don’t wait up for me.

Finally, the overdo thanks to My son’s Soren, Eric and Carsten who are my biggest inspiration. Also, thanks to Clark, Don, Sara, Rich, Loraine, Tom, Diane, Todd and Julia who have all been encouraging.