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.

Homefields: The Art of Lanford Monroe by R.E.C. (Chip) Thompson

Our very special long-time friend, Chip Thompson, recently published a book, Homefields: The Art of Lanford Monroe, about the life and art of his late wife, Lanford Monroe. For more information about Lanford and her work, you may read her artist biography at the web site of the National Museum of Wildlife Art in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Lanford Monroe never had any doubt as to what she would do in life - create great paintings. And that's precisely what she did until she died suddenly, unexpectedly, of a heart attack on July 4, 2000. She was only 50.

This large-format book written by R. E. C. (Chip) Thompson, her loving and admiring husband, includes more than 130 paintings by this immensely talented woman who was destined to become one of the nation's greatest artists. The book displays her riveting portrayals of wildlife, her enchanting images of horses and foxhunting, her breathtaking landscapes of rural America and its most famous wilderness areas.

The author was born and reared in Athens, Alabama but has traveled extensively in the United States and abroad. He started writing, drawing, and making music from an early age. He met Lanford Monroe in 1989 and was her husband until her death in 2000. He writes, records, and performs his own music and sings, plays the guitar, bouzouki, mandolin, and drums with several bands. He currently makes his home in northern New Mexico in a 250-year-old adobe house. He is currently working on a new recording and a novel. The author is show here at a book signing at the Huntsville Museum of Art.

To order a signed copy of the book, Homefields: The Art of Lanford Monroe, call Rick Smith at The Brodsky Bookshop in Taos at 505.758.9468. Signed copies of the book are available at $60.00 each.

Christmas Gifts--Original Oil Paintings

If you are like most of our contacts, you are still doing your Christmas shopping. We urge you to check out Tommy Thompson Art for ideas for original oil paintings to purchase as Christmas gifts. Just a few ideas for you to consider: Backyard Neighbor, Purple Cottage, Anne's Favorite Place, Oakland House, and the list goes on and on.

Painting with Friends in Tuscaloosa

We met some wonderful artists and made good memories during the November Alabama Plein Air Painters' Paint-Out at Jack Warner's Garden. With the hospitality of the Warners, Amy Echols, and Becky Booker, we were treated to an unforgettable experience. Pictured here are Tana Thomas and Marie and Tommy Thompson.