Today we’d like to introduce you to Tommy G. Thompson.
Tommy G., please kick things off for us by telling us about yourself and your journey so far.
In my early youth my love of and budding ability in the visual arts was discovered and encouraged. I began having sales of my work through local galleries in the early teen years and received a small scholarship award in high school, allowing a short stint at TCU. It was so much fun to be befriended by some local, somewhat bohemian artists and gallery owners in those years.
Later, I used those developing skills in the commercial art field as a graphic designer and illustrator in San Antonio. During that time, I continued working on fine art and had fun at Old San Antonio’s local art shows. After a couple of years in graphic design I left to try my full-time fine art career began in 1971 on the venerable Jackson Square of New Orleans. Life for an artist was very colorful in that growing art colony. A memoir of those years would fill a book. It was a ball to talk art in Napoleon House bar and over coffee at La Marquise pastry shop. Sketching at Maison Bourbon and Preservation Hall was enriching.
A couple of years after arriving Ron Zappe, founder of Zapp’s Potato ships, found me painting on the street of the French Quarter and introduced me to Joan Liberty, the owner of Liberty Gallery at 625 Royal Street. That began an exclusive gallery engagement that lasted eighteen years. During those wonderful years, I was free to create art of New Orleans and developed a special style approach which became extremely popular. The gallery would buy anything produced and I was free to explore my creativity and inspirations without limits. This was a golden opportunity to develop freely as an artist. In those years my paintings of local jazz musicians, in those great old jazz halls gained an enthusiastic following. Now I live and work in my hometown of Fort Worth Texas… and while continuing to paint jazz and New Orleans themes, I’m having a great time exploring themes close to me hear of the southwest and especially the colorful Old West. The passion is still being happily pursued.
Can you give our readers some background on your art?
My art is mostly created in a medium personally developed in the early 1970… using a fine & detailed pen & ink drawing, over which acrylic paint is painted in washes like watercolor. The acrylic paint washes dry and bond to the paper allowing a fine detail, depth and finish of the subject. Additional techniques are traditional drawings in pencil or ink and a painting process of using full strength acrylics in a more classic oil style on board or canvas.
As mentioned before, New Orleans, its old buildings, streets scenes, colorful jazz men and clubs, festivals and such have provided energy and inspiration for a lifetime of art. Even before moving to the French Quarter art colony I was in love with the Big Easy, its history and its people. So, working from my on-sight sketches and personally shot group of photos I have been able to depict it real character. Additionally, I have indulged in some fun fantasies with painting pirates and now the Old West. The western theme has a special place in my heart since Fort Worth was my hometown and tales of the Old west were such a joy in my youth. While I continue with fresh works of New Orleans and Jazz; I am allowing a good portion of energy and time to do an in-depth exploration of western subjects.
What you should know is that while I create these art works for my own pleasure, it also is very satisfying to know they have and will continue to bring smiles and joy to a large number of folks. Hearing of their pleasure really makes my soul smile too.
What would you recommend to an artist new to the city, or to art, in terms of meeting and connecting with other artists and creatives?
There are many organizations that are wonderful for artists to meet each other. Watercolor societies, local art organizations like Fort Worth Community Art Center. I used to belong to a small group who met to do life drawings and we’d socialize. Also, when you join the art show and festival Vendor world, you’ll make wonderful friends with other artists and creative “makers”. Special events like ‘Gallery Night’ and ‘Arts Goggle’. Back in New Orleans I found the places to meet were often bars, eateries and such… like Napoleon House and La Marquise Pastry shop, both just down the street from Jackson Square.
What’s the best way for someone to check out your work and provide support?
In New Orleans you can view my art at Royal Street Gallery, 621 Toulouse Street and Hang It Up Gallery, 719 Bourbon St and in Metairie Louisinan at Framin’ Place Gallery, 3535 Severn. In Fort Worth at Marty & Pat’s Frame Shoppe, 5025 Camp Bowie Boulevard. Also, you can view all my prints and the latest originals on my website, www.tomsart4u.com.
Contact Info:
- Address: My Studio number is 817-710-3780 (VOIP) and my website is tomsart4u.com and email would be tommysdesk@tomsart4u.com
- Website: www.tomsart4u.com
- Phone: 817-710-3780
- Email: tommysdesk@tomsart4u.com
Image Credit:
Tommy Thompson
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