Former Forest Grove Basketball Star Finds New Passion in Painting

Kyle Thompson has transitioned from the hardwood to the canvas, showcasing his artistic talents in a recent portrait exhibition.

Apr. 13, 2026 at 10:07pm

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An abstract close-up image of a canvas surface with thick, expressive brushstrokes in warm, earthy tones, conveying the tactile, artistic nature of portrait painting.The rich, textured brushwork of Kyle Thompson's portrait paintings reflects his dedication to honing his craft as an emerging artist.Forest Grove Today

Kyle Thompson, a former standout basketball player for Forest Grove High School, has found a new creative outlet in painting. After graduating from Oregon State University with an Art History degree, Thompson began taking his artistic pursuits more seriously, honing his skills in portrait painting. He recently displayed his work in a successful exhibition titled 'Portraits' at ADX Portland, showcasing his talent for capturing the human form on canvas.

Why it matters

Thompson's transition from athlete to artist highlights the versatility of human creativity and the ability to discover new passions later in life. His story inspires others to explore their artistic interests, even if they may not have pursued them earlier. Additionally, the exhibition provides a platform for local artists to share their work with the community.

The details

Thompson, a 2018 FGHS graduate, was a three-time all-league basketball player who helped lead his team to the state playoffs. While he doesn't play much basketball anymore, he still has a deep appreciation for the sport. After college, Thompson began taking painting more seriously, honing his skills in portrait work. He recently showcased his art in a solo exhibition at ADX Portland, where he displayed a collection of portrait paintings. Thompson says he was surprised by how confident he felt about his work, even though he acknowledges that he is still learning and improving as an artist.

  • Thompson graduated from Oregon State University with an Art History degree in 2024.
  • Thompson began taking his painting more seriously a couple of years ago, after college.
  • Thompson's 'Portraits' exhibition took place in recent weeks at ADX Portland.

The players

Kyle Thompson

A former standout basketball player for Forest Grove High School who has transitioned to become a portrait painter, showcasing his work in a recent exhibition.

Forest Grove High School

The high school where Thompson played basketball and developed his early artistic interests.

Oregon State University

The university where Thompson earned an Art History degree in 2024 after initially studying psychology.

ADX Portland

The collaborative art space in Portland where Thompson recently held his 'Portraits' exhibition to showcase his portrait painting work.

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What they’re saying

“There's something really satisfying and rewarding about having an image in my brain and then being able to manifest it.”

— Kyle Thompson

“I miss it. I still like basketball. I coached a couple years for the middle school teams when I moved back to Forest Grove after Oregon State.”

— Kyle Thompson

“I think with art especially, there's a notion that people are just naturally gifted at it, and that's not true at all. Anybody who has learned an instrument or a new skill knows that. You have to be bad at something for a long time before you can be good at it. It just takes time.”

— Kyle Thompson

What’s next

Thompson plans to continue honing his craft and exploring new artistic avenues, with the goal of potentially supporting himself through his painting in the future.

The takeaway

Kyle Thompson's journey from basketball star to portrait painter demonstrates that creativity and passion can take many forms. His story inspires others to pursue their artistic interests, even if they don't initially come naturally, and highlights the value of perseverance and dedication in developing one's skills.