Meet Tom Brown

Today we’d like to introduce you to Tom Brown.

Every artist has a unique story. Can you briefly walk us through yours?
Natives to Colorado, my wife and I moved to McKinney almost 4 years ago as a career move and an opportunity to be close to our grandchildren (not necessarily in that order). I would classify my working career as having “been there, done that.” I’ve served in the Air Force, worked on the railroad and have worked in the construction industry just to name a few.

I have been interested in art as long as I can remember and like so many artists, I was always drawing and doodling on scraps of paper (much to the dismay of my Science, Math and English teachers). I always looked forward to art class in high school because it was the highlight of the week. Unfortunately, after high school, it was not economically feasible for me to pursue a formal art education. 
As we all know, life still happens, like marriage, children and a mortgage. So for the sake of time and your sanity, let’s fast forward…approximately 10 years ago, my wife encouraged me to take watercolor classes at a local art studio, and as they say, the rest is history.

Please tell us about your art.
I have had a love hate relationship with the medium of watercolor. Don’t get me wrong I really do love watercolor. It continues to amaze me how it will paint itself, if you can learn to get out of its way. Just when you think you have it mastered, viola, it puts you in your place. It is almost as if it were alive, the goal for the artist is to keep it alive as long as possible, because once it’s dry and lifeless, your toast.

I consider myself, primarily, a landscape painter with an impressionistic style. I am always looking for subjects that catch my attention on an emotional level. I look for ways to simplify the subject and yet allow it to tell its own story. I believe if I can somehow provoke these same feelings in the viewer, then I’ve done my job. I also try to paint in such a way that when someone walks into a room and they see my painting they will be compelled to walk across the room look at it.

Do you have any advice for other artists? Any lessons you wished you learned earlier?
I would say first and foremost, never give up. Following ones artistic dreams is not easy, it requires tenacity and patience. You have to accept and embrace your failures, and there will be failures. On the other hand there will be successes, don’t allow yourself to get a big head with success, enjoy the present. Enjoy the process because the process is a lifelong endeavor.

I wish I had learned to believe in myself early on. I still struggle with this at times and I’m 65 years old. I wish I’d had a mentor or muse that had taken an interest in me and my art…I truly believe I’d be leaps and bounds beyond where I am at this stage in my life and career.

How or where can people see your work? How can people support your work?
I am still an emerging artist in the local art scene and have had limited exposure. Last fall I had one of my paintings juried into the prestigious Southwestern Watercolor Society’s Members Show at the Eisemann Center in Richardson.

I currently have a painting on display in The Gallery at the Madeley Building in Conroe, TX and another painting juried into the Western Federation of Watercolor Society’s in Tucson, AZ. Here locally I have a painting hanging in the ArtCentre of Plano along with several other artists’ works painted En Plein Air (outdoors) this show will last through March 24th.

My desire is to become more prominent in the Dallas / North Texas area. I will be entering more art events and hopefully receive some invitations as well.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://tombrownwatercolors.com
• Email: teebrown7@gmail.com
• Instagram: teebrown_7_art
• Twitter: @teebrown62

Image Credit:
Tom Brown

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