Short Bio
As an artist and a photographer, I have been active in the Wisconsin artistic community for over 30 years. Mostly known for my landscape charcoal drawings and oil paintings, my current endeavor into photography has been challenging yet rewarding.
Statement
Years of painting experience has carried over into my photographic style, which pays particular attention to composition, color, light, and texture. The effect of generous post processing, occasionally pushed to chromatic extremes, helps capture the drama and narrative from our world. Post processing of my photography serves as an effective tool to translate my perspective on the botanical studies, landscapes and cityscapes I explore.
Biography
Living all of his life in southeast Wisconsin, Tom developed an eye for fine art by spending many hours at the art museums and art galleries in the Milwaukee area. Whenever he had the opportunity to travel Tom would seek out museums and art galleries. After starting a small collection of art for himself, Tom decided to try his hand at drawing.
Under James Prohl, a master of drawing in the traditional realist method, Tom learned to handle charcoal and render shapes, sizes, shadows, reflections, and lighting. Mr. Prohl also taught him the basics of color and oil painting. Tom has also studied under impressionist landscape artist, Lorin Willey. After a hand injury that prevented him from painting and drawing, he re-examined the photography that he used as inspiration for his paintings and drawings, and felt that they could serve as an artistic outlet while his hand healed. He has now chosen photography as his main focus for art.
Tom has exhibited his art throughout Wisconsin and has won numerous awards. He is a past president of the League of Milwaukee Artists and a past officer of Wisconsin Visual Artists-Southeast Chapter.
