Paint-Out With Alabama Plein Air Artists

During September 27-28 we participated in the Alabama Plein Air Artists Paint-Out in Courtland, AL. D. D. Martin of Courtland and Donna Chieves of Birmingham coordinated this very successful event.

The artists were honored with the utmost in Southern hospitality provided by the wonderful residents of Courtland. Courtland offers a trip through the history of a nineteenth century town. Reflecting the town's beginning as a local trade center rooted in the surrounding plantation economy are more than 100 homes, buildings and sites dated from 1820-1938. For more information about APAA, check out our web site at http://www.alabamapleinairartists.com/.

Painting With Atlanta Plein Air Painters

Tommy Thompson was invited by our long-time friend, John Baggenstoss of Monteagle, TN, to paint with an Atlanta plein air painting group in beautiful Monteagle, TN, during September 21-25. Baggenstoss, formerly with Ebsco Media, and Marie Thompson collaborated for many years on publications produced for IFDC--an International Center for Soil Fertility and Agricultural Development of Muscle Shoals, AL.

During the Paint-Out we met the renowned pastelist, Elsie Dresch of Atlanta. Ms. Dresch authored the book, Create Better Paintings: Working with Pastels, which is available via her web site at http://www.elsiedresch.com/.

Hills and Hamlets Magazine Publishes Feature Article on Tommy Thompson

Reproduced with permission of Hills and Hamlets, Leiper's Fork, TN (www.hillsnhamlets.com)

" Tommy Thompson Art Brought to Light"

By BECKY BAUER

Photograph by Anthony Scarlati

On a warm, sunny morning this past August, I had the pleasure of a visit from artist Tommy Thompson and his wife Marie at my farm in Franklin. The rural property was the backdrop for photos with the artist as well as subject for his canvas. Reaching the back field, Tommy pulled out his easel and set up under a shade tree facing the adjoining pastureland. He took in the scenery and watched two horses, who had greeted him earlier with a curious hello before going back to their grazing. As the camera quietly captured the man in his realm, the sun shined down brightly on the grass and threw a spotlight on the canvas. Tommy proceeded to brush on colorful oils that transpired to an illuminating painting of horses in landscape.

Residents of Florence, Alabama, the Thompsons make frequent visits to Middle Tennessee to market his paintings, as well as to visit family in Brentwood. The couple can be found driving country roads looking for the subject of his next painting. Tommy is habitual about wanting to see what’s around the bend or over the hill. While finding these spontaneous spots of inspiration, they have discovered new places and many friends throughout the U.S. and abroad. After 30 years as an architectural and commercial artist, Tommy turned his focus to oil painting in 2002. His paintings are traditional landscapes in oil with subjects including horses, children, pets and architecture.

Painting is an everyday part of this artist’s life, a continuous labor of love and effort for improvement. “I haven’t talked to an artist that hasn’t felt they have arrived yet; they are constantly developing their style,” claims Thompson. And, he adds, “You have to work at it every day, never stop painting.”

While he continues to master his technique, the painter will admit to a noticeable, but not bothersome tremble in his hand. Sometimes he can’t control where the brush is going, but when he looks at what he has done he thinks, “I couldn’t have done that if I tried.” A small blessing in disguise you could say.

With the help of Marie, Tommy Thompson Art continues to fill the walls of homes and offices nationwide. Credentials include studying under top oil painters like Kevin Macpherson, Richard Schmid and Jason Saunders. The artist’s work has been shown in solo exhibitions and featured in numerous publications like Southwest Art and Nashville Arts magazines. FineArtViews.com ranks Thompson No. 33 out of 2,000 artists.

“One thing that has had more affect on my success is my wife, none of this would have happened without her. There would be a lot more great artists if they had a Marie,” affirms Tommy.

It is clear, as I watched him paint that day, Tommy Thompson has the passion and skill to create beautiful artwork. What he began on a small canvas while standing in the pasture turned into an exquisite piece of art that now hangs on my wall and I catch myself gazing at it every day.

Visit http://www.tommythompsonart.com/ to view Thompson’s work. He can be reached at 256.767.0422 or by email, tommy@tommythompsonart.com

Becky Bauer lives in rural Williamson County. A gifted songwriter, poet and horse woman, with interests in graphic and Web site design, her many talents make her a multi-faceted contributor to Hills & Hamlets.

Sassy

Tommy Thompson painted "Sassy," a Second Place Winner in the "No Frills Horse Show," at Brownland Farms at Franklin, TN in August. This beauty is owned by Meaghan Lynch of Leiper's Fork, TN. Leiper's Fork is a haven for horse lovers; the area is heavily populated with these beautiful animals.

Sunday Picnic

Tommy Thompson enjoys painting at various spots on the Natchez Trace Parkway. One Sunday he and his wife visited the Colbert Ferry Park near the Tennessee River/Natchez Trace Bridge. They happened to find this picnic table decked out for a Sunday picnic. The park is named for George Colbert, who operated a stand and ferry here and reportedly charged Andrew Jackson $75,000 to ferry his army across the Tennessee River on their way to the Battle of New Orleans, the final major battle of the War of 1812. The park is a popular place on the Natchez Trace to stop to have a picnic.

Leiper's Fork Refuge

Tommy Thompson painted "Leiper's Fork Refuge" en plein air while visiting the small community of Leiper's Fork, Tennessee. He enjoyed meeting the nice lady who owns this historic home. Leiper's Fork is a small, picturesque community near Franklin, Tennessee. It is well known for its beautiful horse farms and beautiful rolling hills and hamlets. Thompson enjoys visiting there and taking in the unique sights and delicious country cooking. Many of the Country Music Capital's song writers/musicians have made their homes in Leiper's Fork.

Becky's Horses

This painting was done for one of our new friends, Becky Bauer, in the Nashville, TN, area. We enjoyed visiting her farm and could not resist capturing these beautiful animals on canvas. Becky is a lover of horses and also a very accomplished writer, whose work can be found in the monthly magazine, Hills and Hamlets, published in Leiper's Fork, Tennessee.

"Blue Heron at Dawn"

While Tommy Thompson and his wife were on their way to the Leiper's Fork, TN, area early one morning, they were lucky enough to spot a Great Blue Heron wading in a marshy area at the corner of Hillsboro and Berry's Chapel Roads (across the street from the Legends Ridge Subdivision) in Franklin, TN. After parking near the side of the road, Thompson quietly removed his tripod from his minivan so that he could get a better photo of the beautiful bird. According to the Cornell University's Ornithology Lab, the great blue heron is the largest and most widespread heron in North America. The blue-gray bird has long legs, an S-shaped neck and long, thick bill. The heron has a head-to-tail length of 36 to 54 inches, a wingspan of 71 inches, and a weight of 4 to 8 pounds. It is found in shallow marine waters and marshy areas near lakes or ponds. Although the Great Blue Heron eats primarily fish, it is adaptable and willing to eat other animals as well. Several studies have found that mice are a very important part of the diet. It feeds in shallow water or at the water's edge during both the night and the day, but especially around dawn and dusk. Thompson painted "Blue Heron at Dawn" after returning to his studio because of the unpredictable nature of the bird.

Tennessee River Serenity

To celebrate his 46th wedding anniversary, Tommy Thompson decided to do some plein air painting while his wife, the writer, wrote this blog post. In rural Lauderdale County, AL, we are blessed with many creeks (like the Cypress and Shoals Creeks), lakes (like the Wilson, Wheeler, and Pickwick Lakes), and the Tennessee River, which provide an abundance of subject matter for plein air painting excursions. We remember well the sage advice of the master painter, Ned Mueller, during the 2003 Scottsdale Artist School/Plein Air Painters of America workshop in Old Lyme, CT. Mueller said, "It does not matter what subject matter you choose to paint; what matters is your perspective--the idea you are conveying."

In other words, when you paint like Tommy Thompson, you begin with one compelling idea or theme and focus on that. For example, he studies the effects of light on the subject. The play of light on elements of a landscape--trees, marshes, water, bogs, grasses, and reeds--can be extremely dramatic. As a painter advances in his painting skills, he is compelled to capture not an entire scene but only that portion of a scene that "tells" his story.



"My purpose in painting this scene was to capture the serenity, the quiet mood of this river scene," Thompson says. "There were no sounds other than those of the buzzing of insects and the bubbling water created by splashing fish and geese. I focused on the patterns created by the light on the trees and the large mozaic patterns of algae on the water's surface."


When you squint as master painter Kevin Macpherson teaches, you can see the main "puzzle pieces" of the composition of this painting. This attention to the large masses is the foundation of all good landscape painting. The "puzzle pieces" of this scene are similar to a marshy area that Thompson painted in Old Saybrook, CT, near the home of the late actress, Kathryn Hepburn.

In creating "Tennessee River Serenity," Thompson painted "thick over thin" using a palette knife, with his Open Box M stationed near a rusty old iron bridge overlooking a tributary feeding the Tennessee River. The marshy area in this scene is home to a family of Canadian geese that were swimming about almost oblivious of their human observers.





To order this painting, click on this link: "Tennessee River Serenity." To see other paintings by Thompson, click on http://www.tommythompsonart.com/

"Tennessee Hillside Horses"

Commissioned by a Franklin, TN, couple, Tommy Thompson created his latest oil landscape painting, titled "Tennessee Hillside Horses." Thompson, a lover of horses, found these beauties on a hillside farm near Pulaski, TN. After Thompson and his wife found this scene, a young boy and his mother were helpful enough to assist the artist by transporting him up the hillside on their Easy-Go Cart to capture a better photograph of the horses. The scene was captivating in that the atmosphere created a very serene mood. Thompson is receiving commissions from collectors to produce specific landscape paintings for their homes and offices.

Tommy Thompson Art on Southwest Art Magazine Web Site

Tommy Thompson's artwork is now featured on the Southwest Art magazine's web site at http://www.southwestart.com/artists/artist_spotlight/2233.  Be sure to check out Thompson's biodata and sample artwork on this popular web site.  

Tommy Thompson Selected "Featured Artist" by Robert Genn.com

Canadian artist, Robert Genn, selected Tommy Thompson as the featured artist today, July 29, 2008. Click on this link and scroll down to "World of Art" to see the painting that Genn chose to exhibit today:

http://clicks.robertgenn.com/tower-lucca.php Genn writes and distributes his "Twice Weekly Letters" worldwide, and artists from every state in the USA, every province in Canada, and at least 115 countries worldwide have visited his web site since January 1, 2008.

Subscribe to Tommy Thompson's RSS Feed and View His Latest Paintings

If you would like to know about my latest artwork before many others do, subscribe to my RSS feed (RSS=Really Simple Syndication). To subscribe to my RSS feed, locate the RSS orange icon (with the word "Feed" next to it) on my "Portfolio of Works" page on my web site. This allows site visitors who use RSS to "subscribe" to my works portfolio with a few clicks. Why would someone do that? Because it will allow the visitor to monitor when I post new artwork without having to manually check my site every day. When you subscribe to a feed, it is added to a common feed list. Updated information from the feed is automatically downloaded to your computer and can be viewed in Internet Explorer and other programs.

RSS readers are the programs used to view the latest paintings on web sites to which you have subscribed. In other words, it is a way to accumulate all your RSS feeds from various websites, like all your favorite artists, into one handy interface. For example, Google reader is free and you do not have to download a program. To be able to use Google reader, you will need a Google account. It is easy to set up; you just answer a few questions to have your account. Once you have signed in, you can access all the other Google services. At the following link you can sign onto Google to begin using your Google reader (https://www.google.com/accounts/Login).

"Got One"

Recently I have been focusing more on figurative paintings and enjoying it immensely. A chance happening occurred one day that sparked this interest in "figures in landscape" paintings. In early June my wife and I were returning home from our daughter's home in Hartselle, Alabama. As always, as we traveled along we were looking for potential painting spots. We noticed an interesting meadow filled with newly mown hay and bales of hay waiting to be taken to someone's barn. I liked the play of light and shadows on the bales and decided to stop to photograph the scene. I also noticed an inviting lane beside the pasture, and since I've always been the kind who wanted to see what was at the end of an interesting lane, around the next curve, or over the next hill, I could not resist driving up that lane. Waiting at the other end of the lane were two young boys who were visiting their grandparents' picturesque farm that was a wonderland of fishing ponds and other natural places to play. The boys reminded us of "Huck" and "Tom" as they dipped their hooks at the water's edge. Their dog, "Pinky" added another dimension to the painting's story. Watching the boys that day reminded me of summers at my childhood home when there was no better way to while away the hours than to dig some worms and go fishing in our farm pond.

Now I want to capture on canvas what I find on my journeys through the countryside . I ride the roads less traveled looking for the play of light and shadows on tranquil pastoral landscapes, beautiful horses, architectural structures, and people as they go about their everyday life. My goal is to create artwork that connects with people as it did one day when a lady told me, "I could not get your painting off my mind; I even dreamed about it." I hope that my paintings add a sense of peace and serenity to the lives of my viewers. Painting is so much a part of my everyday life that it would be difficult to live without it. Regardless of where I happen to be, I am driven to paint every day.

Tommy Thompson and Eleven Other Artists To Be Honored by Citi Smith Barney

"Got One!" 24" x 20" Oil on Canvas by Tommy Thompson


Everyone is invited to a "Salute to North Alabama Artists Reception and Show" on Tuesday, July 15, 2008, from 5 to 8 p.m., conducted by Citi Smith Barney, 501 Madison Street, Huntsville, Alabama. Twelve of the area's finest artists will present their works for show and sale in the Huntsville Office of Smith Barney. A portion of the proceeds from the sale will be donated to Make-a-Wish Foundation, Georgia and Alabama Chapter. Tommy Thompson is honored to be included in this group and looks forward to seeing many of his friends and collectors at the show. To view more of Thompson's work, log onto his web site at http://www.tommythompsonart.com/

Since 1980, the Make-A-Wish Foundation has enriched the lives of children with life-threatening medical conditions through its wish-granting work. The Foundation's mission reflects the life-changing impact that a Make-A-Wish experience has on children, families, referral sources, donors, sponsors and entire communities. Although it has become one of the world's most well-known charities, the Make-A-Wish Foundation has maintained the grassroots fulfillment of its mission. A network of more than 25,000 volunteers enable the Make-A-Wish Foundation to serve children with life-threatening medical conditions. Volunteers serve as wish granters, fundraisers, special events assistants and in numerous other capacities.

Florence, Alabama, Artist Tommy Thompson

Artist Tommy Thompson makes his home in Florence, Alabama, which was named by its Italian surveyor/designer after his favorite city in Italy--Florence. The Alabama city is located near the banks of the Tennessee River, pictured in Thompson's painting, Old Man River. Florence artist, Tommy Thompson, has always admired the renowned artists of his hometown's sister city in Italy--Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Raphael, and others.

Dawn Whitelaw, Artist and Mentor Extraordinaire

In July 11-13, I will be participating in an oil painting workshop with one of my favorite artists and teachers, Dawn Whitelaw, at the Southgate Studio and Fine Art in Franklin, TN. After more than 30 years of teaching painting, Dawn Whitelaw still thinks of herself as a student. Like the painters she so admires, Sorolla, Sargent, and Zorn, she fully understands the importance of not only painting from life, but also keeping it simple. "It's not about rendering every eyelash or tree limb, but about finding the character for your subject and presenting the essential information," says Whitelaw.
Dawn Whitelaw maintains a studio at "The Factory" in Franklin, Tennessee. The opportunity to paint landscape plein air with colleagues from Alla Prima International and The Cumberland Society of Painters adds richness and honesty to her studio work. For more than 25 years she taught basic principles of oil painting as an adjunct instructor at David Lipscomb University. She credits the community of teachers and students around her for both her success and growth as an artist. Among her influential teachers are Scott Christensen, Cedric Egeli and Jim Pollard, but most of her instruction and inspiration comes from nationally preeminent artist Everett Raymond Kinstler. She considers one of her career highlights to be juried into two sessions at the Santa Fe Institute of Art with Kinstler as the instructor.
Her ability to capture life in paint has been noticed. Her awards include the Certificate of Merit for her portrait at the National Portrait Convention in 1991, Best of Show at the Portrait Society of America in Washington DC, and the Award of Excellence in the Oil Painter's of America exhibition in 2002.
With each painting, Dawn learns to see life in a new light. Whether painting vast open areas or intimate spaces, she delivers every stroke of paint like that of both a skilled master and a student discovering paint for the first time. For more information on Dawn and her workshops, log onto http://www.dawnwhitelaw.com/.

"Rebel Study"

Tommy Thompson painted the oil original, "Rebel Study," spontaneously and "with abandon." This painting shows what happens when an artist "paints with passion," as one of Thompson's workshop teachers, Ken Auster , speaks about on his video, "Intellect and Passion." Auster says that an artist must pass through three stages throughout the painting process. First comes the intellect stage when he is deciding his subject matter, composition, etc., then he moves to the passion stage when he is "in the zone" and the joy of creativity takes over, and finally back to the intellect stage when he makes any final adjustments to the artwork.

"My Spot"

Tommy Thompson painted "My Spot" after visiting a picturesque farm near Danville, AL. He was first attracted to a meadow full of hay bales, but then a lane beckoned him to see what was waiting at the other end. These two young boys, who reminded us of "Huck" and "Tom," were waiting at the end of the lane--rather by their grandmother's pond ready to dip their hooks in the water. Their dog, "Pinky," added another dimension to the painting's story.

"Turtle Heaven"

One of our favorite haunts in our town is Deibert Park. This Park was established a few years ago by the city of Florence, AL, on land that was donated to the city by Mrs. Kirk Deibert. Mrs. Deibert donated the land with the stipulation that it would be used for a public park. The Park contains several walking trails, a children's playground, a children's museum, and fish ponds. We like to visit there to walk and to paint. "Turtle Heaven" is the result of a recent visit there.

Downtown Franklin, TN

After attending a reception in his honor at the Heirloom Shop on Main Street in Franklin, Tommy Thompson painted "Downtown Franklin, TN," an 11" x 14" oil on canvas panel. He was captivated by the diners at the sidewalk cafe outside SOL Restaurant. Downtown Franklin is a unique place filled with antique shops, quaint restaurants, gift shops, antebellum homes, bookstores, and icecream shops. It is the kind of place that people love to visit just to stroll the streets to find that one-of-a-kind piece of artwork or antique. The picturesque town dates back to the late-1700s. Franklin is a unique blend of history and progress--having small-town charm and big-city sophistication. To purchase the painting check it out on my web site at http://tommythompsonart.com/workszoom/200853

Sergei Bongart

Recently I received a message from Patricia Bongart, widow of the famous Russian impressionist, Sergei Bongart. Patricia's message was regarding an article, "Sergei Bongart: Notes on Painting," posted on the Internet by Norm Nason. According to Ms. Bongart, these notes are not sanctioned by sergeibongart.com and contain inaccurate information. She suggested that anyone interested in the Bongart method should consult http://www.sergeibongart.com/bongart_method.html to learn more about the master painter's technique. Ms. Bongart sent me a copy of the publication, Sergei Bongart: Touched by the Gods! I highly recommend this book to all painting enthusiasts and students; it is a fascinating read as you learn about the life of Bongart and his painting method. It is a real treasure trove of insightful information; the book is available through http://www.sergeibongart.com/. The artist and wife of Sergei Bongart, Patricia was selected for her talent and featured in the book, Masterworks of Impressionism. She has received major awards that include both national and regional honors. The Metropolitan Library System of Oklahoma City selected her for a television feature that includes her work and a demonstration. Her work is widely represented in collections throughout the United States and abroad.

Friesian Fantasia

(Arnold Warmels on Tomas)

Our good friends, Arnold and Lisa Warmels, of Fryslan Valley Sport Horses (see
http://www.fryslanvalley.com/ ) in Leiper's Fork, TN, invited us to attend the "Friesian Fantasia" on May 31 at the "Water's Edge Farm," owned by Drs. Samuel and Leslie Lynch. Lisa and Arnold did an incredible job of choreographing the entire production.

(Janis Oliver on Redondo)

We watched in amazement as the majestic Dutch horses performed in carriage, under saddle, and in hand. Dressed in magnificent costumes reminiscent of Dutch royalty, Arnold Warmels, Janis Oliver, and Keith and Suzy Johnson (of Shelbyville, TN), delighted the crowd as they guided their graceful horses through their paces.

(Keith and Suzy Johnson in carriage)

Besides the exhibition of beautiful Dutch Friesians, we were treated to music by "High Power," (as planned by Janis Oliver), a delicious barbecue meal catered by Jason Crockarell ("Flavor") of Franklin, and fellowship with many old and new friends. I look forward to sharing my impressions of the event in the form of many oil paintings in the future. Be sure to check out my web site soon to see some of these paintings at http://www.tommythompsonart.com/

Ed Morgan, Unique Artist of the Southwest

On our recent visit to Taos, New Mexico, we met a very unusual artist named Ed Morgan. Ed employs a unique process of creating beautiful embossed artwork using hand-engraved metal plates. In his studio in Taos, he explained his detailed and meticulous process, which he first learned while working for Hallmark Cards and American Greeting Cards.

"First I do the drawing on white paper before transferring it to the plate," Morgan says. "Using a stylus I trace the design onto a thin sheet of clear polyester film, which guides me as I begin to engrave the design into a thin magnesium-zinc plate."

As he transposes the design in reverse, the skillful artist must remember that the deepest recesses of the plate become the most highly raised area when the paper is embossed. When all of the details are engraved on the plate, he mounts it onto one side of a Kluge press in his studio. On the opposite side of the press, Morgan positions a gray board covered with a paste-like substance. After heating the press, he brings the metal plate and the board together in a series of hits. This contact molds the paste-covered board into the recesses of the plate to form its opposite--a positive, raised image. Morgan then begins the embossing process using 100 percent rag papers. The press brings 60 tons of pressure to bear on the paper to create the relief image. After the embossing process is complete, Morgan begins the meticulous process of applying watercolor directly on the print using one- and two-hair brushes. A Morgan trademark is the addition of tiny pieces of brightly colored silk, which is cut by his wife Virginia and then fused to the paper using the heated press.

To escape the laborious work in the studio, the Morgans enjoy going on rendezvous outside Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Wearing buckskins and pre-1840s clothing, the couple are frequent models for the paintings of their famous artist friend, Howard Terpning.

Morgan's work was featured in the Summer Show of Settlers West Galleries in Tucson on May 10, 2008. Feature stories on the artist have appeared in Southwest Art, Art of the West, and other publications. Examples of Morgan's work can be seen at http://www.edmorgangallery.com

El Rey Inn in Santa Fe, New Mexico

Recently we selected the El Rey Inn for a one night stay in Santa Fe on our way to a wedding in Taos. We were very pleasantly surprised by the wonderful atmosphere of the Inn, the cordial way that the staff treats visitors, and the delicious, mouthwatering continental breakfast. The Inn has an Old World feel with its architecture, ambience and beautiful grounds. It reminded us of Italian villas. The walls outside each room were decorated with colorful painted tiles. The tree-lined drives through the grounds added to the picturesqueness of the facility. We will definitely stay here again, hopefully for an extended stay since I am a plein air painter. In fact, I did this plein air painting of one of the Inn's buildings while we were there. For more particulars on this painting, check out http://tommythompsonart.com/workszoom/194286

Barn Down the Lane

Since childhood Tommy Thompson has been fascinated with rustic old barns, the animals around them, and the hard-working people who spend time in them. He is forever on the lookout for special kinds of barns to paint and this one captured his attention. For more particulars on this painting, check out http://tommythompsonart.com/workszoom/194284

Artist Tommy Thompson to Launch Solo Exhibition in Guntersville, AL

The Mountain Valley Arts Council at 300 Gunter Avenue, Guntersville, Alabama, is hosting a reception for artist Tommy Thompson beginning at 6 p.m. on Monday, June 2, 2008. This reception will launch a month-long exhibition through June 30 of Thompson's paintings entitled "A Study in Light and Shadows: A Solo Exhibition by Tommy Thompson," at the Council's Gallery on Gunter Avenue. The Gallery's hours of operation are Monday through Friday from 9 to 4 p.m. and other times by appointment (telephone: 256-571-7199). To learn more particulars regarding the painting shown here, log onto
http://tommythompsonart.com/workszoom/187407

The artist will be donating 20% of the proceeds from the sale of the paintings to the Arts Council. Refreshments will be provided during the reception. Come to meet the artist and learn about his interesting life of travel, painting on location, and what inspires him to paint the world around us.
Tommy Thompson was an architectural and commercial illustrator for more than 30 years before moving on to painting oil landscapes in 2003. He now concentrates on painting pastoral landscapes that include horses. His paintings are impressionistic in style and evoke a sense of peace. Tommy Thompson Art recently ranked No. 33 on the top 100 web sites out of 2,000 artists on Fine Art Studio Online. The Top 100 is calculated based on a mathematical formula called focal point rank (FPRank). FPRank considers popularity, traffic, content, recency and a variety of factors.

Thompson has studied under some of the nation's top painters including Kevin Macpherson, Ken Auster, Kenn Backhaus, Roger Dale Brown, John Budicin, Scott Christensen, Ned Mueller, Michael Shane Neal, Jason Saunders, and Dawn Whitelaw. During the past year, he has been invited to show his work in four solo exhibitions by various art associations and dealers in Birmingham, Guntersville, Memphis, and Nashville. Thompson is a member of the Oil Painters of America, Portrait Society of America, Landscape Artists International, Alabama Plein Air Painters, Art for Patronage, and the Chestnut Group, a nonprofit alliance of landscape artists of Nashville, TN. The artist's childhood near Starkville, MS, instilled in him a love of nature. Now living near the banks of the Tennessee River in Florence, Alabama, Thompson receives inspiration for his plein-air landscape paintings from the natural surroundings. He is represented by Willis-Gray Gallery, Decatur, AL; Loblolly Interior Market, Columbia, TN; and the Heirloom Shop, Franklin, TN. For more information about Thompson and his artwork, log onto http://www.tommythompsonart.com/.

The Mountain Valley Arts Council (MVAC) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the advancement of the arts in and around Marshall County, Alabama. The MVAC was originally founded in 1971 and strives to keep quality arts programs alive and growing. The MVAC's goal is to encourage all forms of art. The Arts Council fosters the expansion of art appreciation and participation by presenting a wide variety of art and cultural activities. The Arts Council operates under a Board of Directors that includes members from all areas of the county. These hard-working volunteers help make MVAC's activities possible through their ideas, talents, service and their commitment to the arts. The MVAC operates through a combination of annual grants and the continued generous support of its patrons. Aside from being active supporters of the arts, the patrons enjoy special membership benefits.

Reception in Franklin, TN, to Honor Artist Tommy Thompson

The Heirloom Shop at 404 Main Street in Franklin, TN, is hosting a reception for artist Tommy Thompson from 5 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, May 20, 2008. One of the door prizes at this event will be an 8 x 10 inch plein air oil painting by Thompson. Thompson completed this painting on location at a popular spot on the Natchez Trace Parkway. Refreshments will be provided during the reception. Come to meet the artist and learn about his interesting life of travel, painting on site, and what inspires him to paint the world around us.

Tommy Thompson was an architectural and commercial illustrator for more than 30 years before moving on to painting oil landscapes in 2003. He now concentrates on painting pastoral landscapes that include horses. His paintings are impressionistic in style and evoke a sense of peace. Tommy Thompson Art recently ranked No. 33 on the top 100 web sites out of 2,000 artists on Fine Art Studio Online. The Top 100 is calculated based on a mathematical formula called focal point rank (FPRank). FPRank considers popularity, traffic, content, recency and a variety of factors.

He has studied under some of the nation's top painters including Kevin Macpherson, Ken Auster, Kenn Backhaus, Roger Dale Brown, John Budicin, Scott Christensen, Ned Mueller, Michael Shane Neal, Jason Saunders, and Dawn Whitelaw. During the past year, he has been invited to show his work in four solo exhibitions by various art associations and dealers in Birmingham, Guntersville, Memphis, and Nashville. Most recently, the Mountain Valley Arts Council of Guntersville has invited the artist to conduct a solo exhibition of his work at their gallery during June 2-30 at 300 Gunter Avenue. Thompson is a member of the Oil Painters of America, Portrait Society of America, Landscape Artists International, Alabama Plein Air Painters, Art for Patronage, and the Chestnut Group, a nonprofit alliance of landscape artists of Nashville, TN. The artist's childhood near Starkville, MS, instilled in him a love of nature. Now living near the banks of the Tennessee River in Florence, Alabama, Thompson receives inspiration for his plein-air landscape paintings from the natural surroundings. He is represented by Willis-Gray Gallery, Decatur, AL; Loblolly Interior Market, Columbia, TN; and the Heirloom Shop, Franklin, TN. For more information about Thompson and his artwork, log onto http://www.tommythompsonart.com/

Huntsville, AL, Art League Invites Tommy Thompson to Discuss His Approach to Plein Air Painting

(Fighting Joe, Golf Course," by Tommy Thompson, 12x16 Oil on Canvas)

The Huntsville, AL, Art League has invited painter, Tommy Thompson, to discuss his approach to plein air painting at their gallery on Tuesday, April 15, 2008, at 7 p.m. "Plein air" is a French term arising from the French Impressionist Movement of painting; it refers to painting in the open air. The League's gallery is located at 3005 L&N Drive, Suite 2 in Huntsville, telephone: 256-534-3860. The public is invited to attend.

Tommy Thompson was a technical and architectural illustrator for more than 30 years before moving on to painting oil landscapes in 2003. He now concentrates on painting pastoral landscapes that include horses. His paintings are impressionistic in style and evoke a sense of peace. He has studied under some of the nation's top painters including Kevin Macpherson, Ken Auster, Kenn Backhaus, Roger Dale Brown, John Budicin, Scott Christensen, Ned Mueller, Michael Shane Neal, Jason Saunders, and Dawn Whitelaw. During the past year, he has been invited to show his work in four solo exhibitions by various art associations and dealers in Birmingham, Guntersville, Memphis, and Nashville. Most recently, the Mountain Valley Arts Council of Guntersville has invited the artist to conduct a solo exhibition of his work at their gallery during June 2-30 at 300 Gunter Avenue. Thompson is a member of the Oil Painters of America, Portrait Society of America, Landscape Artists International, Alabama Plein Air Painters, Art for Patronage, and the Chestnut Group, a nonprofit alliance of landscape artists of Nashville, TN. The artist's childhood near Starkville, MS, instilled in him a love of nature. Now living near the banks of the Tennessee River in Florence, Alabama, Thompson receives inspiration for his plein-air landscape paintings from the natural surroundings. He is represented by Willis-Gray Gallery, Decatur, AL; Loblolly Interior Market, Columbia, TN; and the Heirloom Shop, Franklin, TN.

For more information about Thompson and his artwork, log onto http://www.tommythompsonart.com/

" Farm Pleasure, "New Painting by Tommy Thompson

Tommy Thompson painted this oil landscape for submission to a major national exhibition, thus the painting is not for sale at this time. The traditional oil painter found these beautiful horses on a farm near Columbia, TN, while they were enjoying grazing in the sun. To learn more about the particulars of this painting, log onto http://tommythompsonart.com/workszoom/178573

Thompson has always been the kind who wanted to see what was around the next bend and over the next hill. Now he captures on canvas what he finds on his journeys . Today he feels driven to paint with passion depicting one of God's most beautiful creatures--the horse. He rides the roads less traveled looking for the play of light and shadows on quaint old barns and beautiful horses. He hopes that his paintings of these "creatures great and small" and his tranquil pastoral scenes add serenity to the lives of the viewers of his art.

Tommy Thompson's Artwork Now Displayed in Historic Franklin, TN

Tommy Thompson's oil paintings are now displayed and sold on Main Street in historic Franklin, TN. The Heirloom Shop at 404 Main Street in Franklin is now representing Tommy Thompson's work. It is truly inspiring to meet someone like the Heirloom's owner, Elaine Thompson, who is so excited about Tommy's artwork. We are not connected by kinship but only by our love of fine original art. Elaine and her associates impressed us with the courteous manner with which they treat their customers. Any serious collector of fine art knows that their original oil paintings will most likely become "heirlooms" to be passed down to the next generation. Hence, our oil paintings have found a very appropriate home in Franklin.

The City of Franklin, founded in 1799, was named after Benjamin Franklin, a close friend of Dr. Hugh Williamson, member of the Continental Congress for whom Williamson County was named. The Battle of Franklin during the Civil War was one of the war's bloodiest battles, costing more than 8,000 casualties and turning every home and building in town into a hospital. Today, Franklin is one of the wealthiest cities in one of the wealthiest counties in the United States. Franklin is a unique blend of history and progress--having small-town charm and big-city sophistication. Many others have observed the attraction that Franklin possesses; Nissan chose Franklin as the site of its headquarters when it relocated from California.

We are pleased to have Tommy's paintings included in this fine venue. If you are a lover of horses and fine art, be sure to see Tommy Thompson's oil paintings of horses at The Heirloom Shop on your next trip to downtown Franklin, TN.

"A Study in Light and Shadows: Solo Exhibition by Tommy Thompson"

The Mountain Valley Arts Council of Guntersville, Alabama, has invited Tommy Thompson to conduct a solo exhibition of his latest work at their gallery during the entire month of June 2008. The gallery is located at 300 Gunter Avenue in Guntersville near the Chamber of Commerce. The title of Thompson's exhibition will be "A Study in Light and Shadows: A Solo Exhibition by Tommy Thompson." The Gallery can be open by appointment outside the regular 9am-4pm Monday through Friday office hours. The Arts Council will be announcing a reception for the artist at a later date.

The Mountain Valley Arts Council (MVAC) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the advancement of the arts in and around Marshall County, Alabama. The MVAC was originally founded in 1971 and strives to keep quality arts programs alive and growing.
The MVAC's goal is to encourage all forms of art. The Arts Council fosters the expansion of art appreciation and participation by presenting a wide variety of art and cultural activities.
The Arts Council operates under a Board of Directors that include members from all areas of the county. These hard-working volunteers help make MVAC's activities possible through their ideas, talents, service and their commitment to the arts. The MVAC operates through a combination of annual grants and the continued generous support of its patrons. Aside from being active supporters of the arts, the patrons enjoy special membership benefits.

Tommy Thompson Featured on "Area of Design.com"

During the entire month of March 2008, an interview with painter, Tommy Thompson, will be live on Area of Design.com. Just scroll down to the section, "In the Spotlight" to see the questions and answers of the interview. Eight of Thompson's paintings are shown on the web magazine this month. They include: "Cold Ride," "Emerald Lake," "Grazing with a View," "Horses of the Tetons," "Lake Louise," "Morning at Foggy Bottom," "Sunday at Grandpa's," "December Light."

Area of Design is an organization that showcases established and emerging artists, designers, commercial firms, and non profit groups based in the United States.
Their mission is to provide a forum for artists to express themselves and inspire others by encouraging, educating, and nurturing creative talent.

Thompson's interview contains much helpful information for aspiring painters. Be sure to check it out at http://www.areaofdesign.com

"Art at the Gardens: Exhibition by Tommy Thompson"

Springtime usually brings blooming flowers to gardens, but in March and April the Birmingham Botanical Gardens (BBG) will also be "blooming" with beautiful oil originals by plein air painter, Tommy Thompson. "Art at the Gardens: An Exhibition by Tommy Thompson" promises to be the highlight of the art gallery of the BBG for 2 months during March 1 through April 26, 2008. Glistening new oil originals of peaceful, pastoral landscapes depicting various scenese across America, garden scenes, seascapes, mountain scapes, horses--these are just a few of the "feast for the eye" artwork that await all lovers of fine art at the Birmingham facility.

Some of Thompson's paintings that are now on display at the Gardens include "Horses of the Tetons," "Jackson Hole Road," "Jack Warner's Garden," "Leisure Morning," "Emerald Lake," "Priscilla's Geraniums," "Sidewalk Cafe," "Birmingham Botanical Gardens," "Cold Ride," "Aldridge Gardens," and "Morning at the Cove."

The Gardens are located at 2612 Lane Park Road, Birmingham, AL. Admission and parking are free. The hours of operation are as follows: Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; and Sunday, 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Twenty percent of the proceeds will be donated to the Gardens; therefore, that portion would be tax deductible to purchasers of the art. For more information regarding Thompson and his work, check out his web site at http://www.tommythompsonart.com

Horses of the Tetons

One of Tommy Thompson's favorite places to paint is Jackson Hole, Wyoming, in the Tetons. He found these beautiful horses in Jackson Hole. After photographing the horses, Thompson combined the digital photo of an awe-inspiring landscape from High School Butte in Jackson, WY and the horse photo to create an image from which to paint this studio piece, which he named "Horses of the Tetons."

Maine-ly Grazing

One of Tommy Thompson's favorite places to visit and paint is North Haven Island, Maine. His painting, "Maine-ly Grazing" was inspired by a trip to the island. Incorporating horses into his paintings is another favorite thing to do. The oil painter enjoys plein air painting with his friend, George Walker, on their visits to this island that has preserved its simple way of life. North Haven is a year-round island community and summer colony located in Penobscot Bay, Maine.

In Training

"In Training" is another Tommy Thompson landscape in oil that includes one of his favorite subjects, horses. the artist found this particular landscape is located in southern Tennessee. Because Thompson grew up on a farm in Mississippi, the artist has always had a fondness for farm animals, especially horses. As a young boy, he had a favorite horse, which he named "Liz." He spent many hours of his childhood riding through the woods and pastures of his family farm.

Grazing with a View

"Grazing with a View" depicts a scene that Tommy Thompson found on North Haven Island, Maine. The talented artist combined digital photos of landscapes and those of horses. Drawing from the inspiration of the late renowned wildlife painter, Lanford Monroe, and the revered painter, Richard Schmid, Thompson has learned to create pleasing compositions using more than one digital photograph.

Thompson and his painter friend George Walker draw much inspiration from the pristine landscapes found on the lovely North Haven Island off the coast of Maine. They have spent many hours over the past few years locating new venues for their plein air painting excursions.

Sunday at Grandpa's

Tommy Thompson painted "Sunday at Grandpa's" depicting an interesting landscape and old barn that he found near historic Lynnville, Tennessee, in Giles County. The artist creatively used digital photographs of the scene and other photos of horses to arrange an imaginative composition for his painting. Old Lynnville, TN, was on the old stagecoach pike that connected Nashville, TN, and Decatur, AL. Prior to the Civil War, Old Lynnville was a flourishing little town. However, much of the town was burned and destroyed during the Civil War. In 1860, the Central-Southern Railroad was completed just one mile east of Old Lynnville. The old town began to move to the railroad and a new town was begun. On February 14, 1907, the new Lynnville was incorporated. Today, Lynnville is regarded as one of the most historical areas in Giles County and serves as the backdrop for many music videos produced by the music industry of the nearby Country Music Capital, Nashville. Today a railroad museum, depot, antique steam locomotive, coach, flat car, and caboose add historic charm to the town.

Thompson's painting, "Sunday at Grandpa's" is now in a private collection in Birmingham, Alabama.

Cold Ride

Tommy Thompson painted "Cold Ride" after visiting George and Beverly Greenup's farm near Pulaski, Tennessee, for a New Year's Day party, following a trail ride by a group of horse enthusiasts. At the party the artist met Arnold and Lisa Warmels, who live on a farm in Leiper's Fork, Tennessee. After taking several photographs of Arnold and his horse, Thompson was inspired to paint this oil on canvas, measuring 20" by 24". The landscape that the artist incorporated in his painting has elements of the trees and foreground that is behind the barn on the Greenup farm. Thompson included the imaginary distant landscape to add depth to the composition.

Arnold Warmels, a native of the Netherlands, is a horse trainer and clinician operating his business, Fryslan Valley Sport Horses, at his farm in Leiper's Fork, TN. Warmels' brand of horse training is dubbed "Riding Light" or "Horsemanship for Life." Although the European trainer grew up as a student of dressage in his homeland, his wide expertise cuts across several disciplines and includes experience with a variety of horse breeds that he has worked with since his arrival in the United States. To learn more about Arnold and his special training style, visit http://www.fryslanvalley.com.

Trail Ride, Anyone?

We recently were treated to an unusual experience in Pulaski, Tennessee. Our good friends, George and Beverly Greenup, invited us to their farm near Pulaski on New Year's Day. A large group of "horse lovers" gather at their farm each year for a trail ride followed by a bountiful feast of every kind of gourmet morsel you can imagine. I was particularly interested because of my love of horses, and this gave me an excellent opportunity to photograph the horses and the riders for future paintings. This proved to be a very special experience for Marie and me. Because my painting has been submitted for a juried exhibition, I cannot show the painting yet. As soon as possible I will be displaying the painting on my web site and my blog.

Arabian Beauties

We recently made a new friend who breeds and raises beautiful, high-quality award-winning Arabian horses. Our new friend is Lisa Littrell of Hartselle, Alabama. To see more of Lisa's amazing beauties, go to the ANSA Arabian web site. We plan to make many more visits to Lisa's Arabian horse farm in the future to paint scenes "en plein air" and to make many more photos. It is amazing how many great new friends we have made since we entered the world of plein air painting. A whole new world of interesting places and people have been afforded us.

Tommy's Granddaughter Enters the Painting Arena

Tommy Thompson's two daughters, Michelle and Melanie, have long been interested in art, but now his 11-year-old granddaughter, Sarah, is showing a strong interest in painting. Her first watercolor still life, "A Study in Fruit" is being offered here on a first-come, first-serve basis for $75.00. If anyone wishes to purchase this original watercolor by a budding artist before she becomes too expensive to afford, please email Tommy at tmt11@comcast.net.