Our Founder, Jimmy Toade

Artist Profile: Jimmy B. Toadê

Jimmy Toadê (Pronounced Jimmy O A, The “T” and the “d” and sometimes the “ê”, are silent. A historic Etruscan surname).

Life is short, you get one opportunity, so let’s go do something amazing!

Jimmy is a versatile contemporary artist who works across a wide range of media, from painting and ceramics to bronze casting, wood carving, and printmaking. His work reflects a deep curiosity and a passion for artistic experimentation, blending diverse philosophies to create compelling, multidimensional art.

At the core of Jimmy's practice is a belief that art is a universal language that can connect people from all walks of life. His work explores shared human experiences to foster understanding and inspire dialogue, bridging cultural, social, and personal divides. Whether he is working with delicate ceramics, bold bronze sculptures, or the subtle nuances of letterpress, his art invites viewers to reflect and connect.

Driven by a passion for exploring different philosophies—from Eastern contemplative traditions to Western modernism and his native culture—Jimmy incorporates these influences into his work, creating a rich tapestry of meaning. He emphasizes process as much as product, valuing the journey of creation as a way to deepen understanding and empathy.

Ultimately, Jimmy's art is a testament to the unifying power of creative expression. It's an ongoing dialogue between the artist, the work, and the viewer, grounded in a shared human experience.

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Jimmy at 11 years, The Hair!

Video, drone NC Smokies 2023 - Frusciault

Jimmy was born at a time before even he remembers. From the first moment he could hold a crayon with his fingers and toes, he's been creating art. At a very young age he was interested in technology and communications. He built and experimented with connected communications (Packet Radio Teletype) and sent and received messages, and computer generated photos. In these very early days of what would become the internet there were no PCs, only Intel 8086 chips and completely homemade devices to transmit and receive analog signals to process into something useable. A few years later he received a BS in Computer Science, BFA Fine Art Painting and a BA History, and started a lifelong fulltime career in painting, sculpture, ceramics, wood carving, and printmaking. He's also a general contractor with the specialty of building artistic structures. His other fun stuff involves playing guitar, bass, and drums, kayak and canoeing, cycling, trail running, hiking, vintage motorcycles, funky pop culture, MCM design, historical ruins, and especially those fun things that don’t fit into any categories. One of his biggest interests is learning new things every day. Every morning he exercises and focuses on becoming a more complete person for himself and those around him.

A deep curiosity and a passion for experimentation, blending diverse philosophies to create compelling, multidimensional art. His belief that art is a universal language that can connect people from all walks of life push him to create further even on days when results seem lacking. His work explores shared human experiences to foster understanding and inspire dialogue, bridging cultural, social, and personal divides.

Sourced from articles and interviews from Metropulse, The Beat, Ame'lie Frusciault, Christian Lange, Karen Shaw.

Jimmy and Kevin in the first studio

October Fun! 2025

Hanging with Bob, November 2024

Flyer for our first show

The Voodoo Robot and Yee Haw Industries hanging out again after all these fun years! Time definitely flies! December 2023

Portrait of Jimmy by Chelnokova April 2023

Metropulse