TC Carruthers shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Good morning TC, we’re so happy to have you here with us and we’d love to explore your story and how you think about life and legacy and so much more. So let’s start with a question we often ask: What makes you lose track of time—and find yourself again?
Creating always makes me lose track of time—and at the same time, it helps me find myself again. I think of my art as a form of therapy. Whenever I feel lost or don’t have a clear direction, I know I can depend on my art to ground me, give me purpose, and remind me who I am.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is TC. I’m a collage and textile artist, fashion designer, and teaching artist from Memphis, based in Nashville. My brand is all about transforming what others might see as trash into treasure — creating wearable art and pieces that carry new life and meaning. What makes my work unique is that it’s rooted in nostalgia, storytelling, and recycling materials into something bold and personal. I’m always juggling a lot of projects at once, but to give you an idea, I’m currently focused on expanding the ways my art can exist in different mediums — from fashion to collage to stop motion animation. For me, it’s about showing that creativity has no limits.
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?
My 10th grade art teacher, Mr. Weddle, saw what I was capable of before I could even recognize it myself. He handed me a magazine, some glue, and a dream — and that simple gesture opened the door to the path I’m on now.
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
Suffering taught me resilience, resourcefulness, patience, and the ability to create beauty out of struggle. Success feels good, but it doesn’t always push you to grow. Hard moments taught me how to sit with myself, trust my art as therapy, and use creativity to turn pain into something meaningful. That lesson is deeper than anything success alone could have given me.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What’s a belief or project you’re committed to, no matter how long it takes?
I’m committed to building my brand and vision as an artist, no matter how long it takes. For me, it’s not just about making clothes or collages — it’s about creating wearable stories, pieces that inspire people and show kids from backgrounds like mine that their creativity has value. I believe in expanding my art into different mediums and keeping it alive in ways that will outlast me. That’s a lifelong project I’ll always stand behind.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I hope people say that I stayed true to myself and used my creativity to inspire others. That I turned what I had into something meaningful, and showed kids from places like mine that their dreams are worth chasing. I want my story to be one of resilience, imagination, and leaving behind art that continues to spark hope and possibility. Most importantly, I want to build generational wealth through my art—something lasting that my kid’s grandkids can be proud of and show off as part of our legacy.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://goodkidrageworld.square.site/
- Instagram: @tc.ragewrld
