Andy Thomas

Grand ol' Gang and True Blues are truly the most exciting project that Andy Thomas has worked on. It took weeks and piles of research material just to begin the paintings. Countless sketches of presidents and layouts were done to come up with the originals. With these two paintings Andy has captured the spirit and likeness of some of our nations greatest presidents. You can just hear the muttering between them as they play a friendly game of poker. Again, the creative side put them in the back ground of the convention centers of years ago and if you look closely you will find various items that were related to them, each in their own way.

Many call Andy Thomas the "Storyteller" and if you have ever had a chance to view his work you might just agree. Currently he is telling many stories with his action filled western art. These pieces are bringing the cowboys back to life as well as the American West history. In the past, Andy has painted many subjects from a picnic by the river, kids playing sports to a brutal bear fight. All of his paintings end up telling you, the viewer, some kind of story of our lives.

Westerns I am pretty confident that this action shoot em' up western will holds it's own on the auction block. Not too many of today's artists can bring to you the breath, sweat and intensity of the old west as Andy does. I guess that you would have to pay a premium price to own a classic Russell to compare to Andy's work. Now that is a pretty nice comparison. Not to mention that Andy's auction piece at the CM Russell auction in March sold for $180,000. This set a record for the show as the highest price paid for any artist other than Russell! This was another unique painting that Andy not only captured a fine portrait of Charlie Russell himself but the characters that he used in many of his paintings. Charlie Russell and his Characters was an ingenious painting by Andy. Another aspect of his unique abilities.

Matt's artistic training began as a boy in Missouri, when he met an old-time western artist named Bob Tommey, who had just moved from Texas. Tommey encouraged Matt to try his hand at painting. When Tommey saw Matt's "natural talent", he became Matt's mentor and taught him the technique he had amassed in his lifetime of work.

In college, Matt studied painting. After graduation, he broadened his skills, painting everything from greeting cards to animation backgrounds. His career changed forever when Steven Spielberg's DreamWorks company found and hired him. Matt brought, his new bride, Michele, a Texas small-town girl, with him to Hollywood.

At DreamWorks, Matt rose through the ranks, painting concept art. When Steven Spielberg had an idea brewing about the Battle of Iwo Jima, Matt painted an "epic concept" for him that Spielberg used to pitch the film, Flags of Our Fathers. Soon, Matt was named Franchise Art Director for DreamWorks' Medal of Honor video games series, one credited with generating interest in WWII history among young people. Matt grew as an artist through Spielberg's critiques. "I learned from Steven Spielberg the value of listening to my 'creative instincts'" Matt explained. "A lot of times, marketing dictates if an idea will be well-received, but Spielberg would often fly against the grain, if he believed in an idea. There was a time when the marketing guys said 'WWII is done and dead,' but Spielberg followed his instincts and passion and made Saving Private Ryan!"

There, Matt discovered that he, too, possessed a passion to tell the stories of America's war heroes when DreamWorks had him create paintings for the Congressional Medal of Honor Society. Working from just a citation and a portrait of a long-deceased MOH recipient, Matt brought their stories back to life. There, he discovered his calling.

Then, in the summer of 2008, Matt underwent brain surgery to remove a growth behind his eye. "It was a wake-up call," Matt explained. "It got me thinking, 'What kind of legacy will my art leave? Will it tell a story of something important? Will it be something people will appreciate 50 or 100 years from now? It was tough to look in the mirror and say 'maybe not' since the art I was doing would be locked away in a vault once it served its purpose."

After Matt's surgery, Valor Studios, a prominent publisher of military art came to Matt with an offer to publish him. Valor Studios had seen Matt's work for DreamWorks and asked if he wanted to paint full time,  the heroes of military past and present.

Matt heartily agreed. "It was an epiphany on a lot  of levels," he explained, "Spiritually, artistically, and career-wise. Like that leap of faith when I went to paint for Hollywood, I've now decided to follow my passion and paint the stories of men and women whose legacies need to be preserved." 

Starting his career as a successful illustrator in Chicago, Phil was drawn to the world of fine art in 1980  when  he arrived in Scottsdale, Arizona.  A colorist with a painterly style who stresses harmony in his artwork, Phil studied at the American Academy of Fine Art in Chicago. He is a versatile artist who specializes in figurative work. Phil’s  love for animals is apparent in his work, and animals appear in most of his paintings as he brings them to life on canvas. Phil’s predominant medium is oil, but he is also known for his speed and accuracy in his beautiful drawings. Phil paints full time in his Scottsdale studio, but is never too far from the desert he loves. Painting life in the Southwest has been a favorite of Phil’s, especially painting the children. Over the years Phil has built strong and lasting friendships with several different Native American  families, which have allowed him to watch many of his young models grow to adulthood.

Phil  has been an  instructor at the Scottsdale Artist School for over nineteen years, and has also taught workshops around the country, where his talents are sought after as an instructor and lecturer. His paintings have garnered numerous awards and hang in many private and corporate collections throughout the United States and abroad .   

Phil has been honored with the highest awards presented in several different museum shows, including Gold Medal in oil, Best in Show, Artists Choice Award , and the Prestigious Goodman Award for best oil painting in show. Most recently, Phil was honored with the Museum Purchase Award at Cheyenne’s Frontier Days Art Show at the Old West Museum, and his painting Cowboy School  was selected for the limited print for 2009. The Museum Purchase Award was again given to Phil in 2011 for his painting

Standing Bovation. He has been featured in Southwest Art Magazine, Art of the West Magazine, Western Horseman, and several other publications.

Phil lives with his artist wife , Marty, in Scottsdale, Arizona. His passion for painting is never ending, and it is truly that, a passion.

JaNeil Anderson was born in 1956 in Safford, Arizona, and was raised in near by Duncan, on her parents farm on the Gila River. JaNeil has had the honor and privilege to have lived and worked on various cattle ranches in the Southwest. First hand experience with the gathering, branding and cooking for the cowhands has afforded JaNeil the opportunity to live, work and love the lifestyle of the American Cowboy and Rancher. Coupled with her incredible artistic talents and her ability to capture the emotion of the moment, JaNeil's art is unique and refreshing.

JaNeil has earned a certificate in Basic Art Studies from Art Instruction Schools, Minneapolis, Minnesota and has been blessed with the opportunity to study under Cowboy Artist of America members James Reynolds and R.S. Riddick.

At the out set of her career, JaNeil worked in pencil, then moved to pastels and now works in oils. Anderson's intricate paintings style, the fine details of oils and her appreciation for color allow her works to capture the moment in time, pulling at your heartstrings as you imagine the story behind the piece. JaNeil has the unique ability of drawing you into her work and you literally find yourself emotionally invested in her art.

JaNeil is a proud member of Western Artists of America and is a Signature American Plains Artist.

Anderson and her husband Walt reside on their third generation cattle ranch along the banks of the Gila River in Southwest New Mexico.

I think every kid grew up playing cowboys and Indians. I feel there is a little cowboy spirit in us all. There is something to say about the cowboy way of life, the cowboy code of ethics, if you will. You don't have to live out West to embody the cowboy way of life. You just have to have the spirit of the West in you. Cowboy is not just a word- it’s an attitude and a way of thinking that becomes a total lifestyle. The western cowboy always had to stay strong to meet whatever came his way. That is what I'm trying to capture in my drawings and paintings-- that free unconquerable spirit that is the West that dwells deep inside me. You never get to pick your nightmares, you just have to put your head down and drive right through 'em". Bob Graham currently resides in a suburb of Charleston, SC where he was born in 1968.The town, shaped by tidal creeks, rivers, and the ever present ocean evokes a spirit of a bygone era that has greatly influenced his appreciation and awareness of the world that surrounds him. Mr. Graham exhibits his work regularly across The United States and is represented in numerous museums, corporate and private collections. His work also graces the covers of numerous books and he has several magazine illustrations to his credit.

Larry Clingman was born in Springfield, Missouri in 1950. He graduated from Missouri State University with a Bachelor of Fine Art Degree in Commercial Art in 1972.

Larry’s interest in art blossomed from an early age, but a particular appreciation for painting was gleaned from one of his commercial art instructors. B.H. Armstrong,  while attending MSU. Armstrong, himself an accomplished painter, encouraged Larry to paint, and his passion for it soon built an enduring enthusiasm in Larry as well.

Clingman moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma in 1973, and, as a commercial artist, worked his way through designer, illustrator, and creative director titles with two of the town’s leading ad agencies and art studios. He started his own company in 1987 and enjoyed success working with national and regional clients for the next 20 years.

Since 2004, Clingman has devoted himself entirely to his painting. The painting style of Chiaroscuro strongly motivates and inspires Larry in many of his works. Old master’s influences include Rembrandt, Vermeer, and Chardin. Contemporary iconic influences include Albert Handell, Richard Schmid, David Leffel, Gregg Kruetz, and Jeff Legg.

Clingman’s paintings have exhibited regularly in regional galleries and shows including The American Art in Miniature Show at Gilcrease Museum in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and the Spiva Art Center in Joplin, Missouri.

Two personally selected paintings by Richard Schmid were included in the top 52 works of the nationally recognized 14^th Annual Richard Schmid Fine Art Auction in Rist Canyon, Colorado. Clingman’s work was also juried in the 2010 and 2011 Oil Painter’s of America Western Regional Show, and most recently in the 2011 National Juried Exhibition of Traditional Oils at Devin Galleries in Coeur D’Alene Idaho.

Larry resides in Bixby, Oklahoma, a suburb of Tulsa, with his wife Kathy, where he paints in the Pin Oak Studio.

Lyn has been creating art since childhood. While growing up on a farm in northern Missouri, necessity required her to be self-taught.  After marriage she and her husband settled in Kansas City,
worked in industry and raised three children. New opportunities abounded, and Lyn returned to her art. 
She found herself studying extensively with other artists including Robert Vaughn and Russell Ferguson.
 After retiring from large companies she and her husband moved near The Lake of the Ozarks in Mo,
where she established a studio. Lyn paints almost every day and is always on the lookout for new painting ideas.

Over the years she has studied in workshop situations with many well known artists, including Matt Smith,
 Albert Handel, Billy O'Donnell, Michael McClure, Joshua Been and many others. Although Lyn loves to paint in her studio, her greatest passion is plein air painting.  She paints her surroundings often and travels to locations within the U.S and Europe. Some of her favorites spots are in Arizona, New Mexico, and Colorado. She has also traveled to wonderful locations such as Nova Scotia, England, Ireland and France both painting and recording scenes for future paintings with her camera.  

A master of several media, Lyn produces works in watercolor, oil, acrylic, encaustic and pastel. 
She occasionally teaches small workshops but more often, she will be traveling and painting.  She and a circle of her best friends gather to paint whenever possible during the year.  Painting with her friends in a group is one of greatest joys.

He is currently working on a series of pictures of Eastern American Indians and pioneers. Many of his models are American Indians or serious re-enactors.

Steve and his wife, Susan live in a 1790’s log home in Mason County, Kentucky near the Warrior’s Trace. He is represented by Eisele Gallery of Fine Art, Maysville, Kentucky. His historical work is also exhibited at invitational museum and gallery shows nation wide.

He is a member of the Contemporary Longrifle Association, the Kentucky Corps of Longrifles, and the National Muzzle Loading Rifle Association, the Kentucky Crafted Market, and Watercolor U.S.A Honor Society.

In 1977 Steve earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in art education, from Morehead State University, Morehead, Kentucky. He has taught landscape painting, figure painting and figure drawing. He has been a professional artist since 1991.his work has won many awards which include, The Medal of Honor Award from the American Artist Professional League, Salmagundi Club, 47^th Fifth Avenue, New York, New York. His painting “The Marble Players” was purchased for $6,500.00 by the Dunagan Museum, Bolivar, Missouri, from a Watercolor U.S.A. exhibition, Springfield Art Museum, Springfield, Missouri. Other awards include an Honor Award from the Butler Institution of American Art, Youngstown, Ohio and Best of Show award from the Northeast Kentucky Artist Guild.

His art has appeared on the cover of national magazines and books. He is a published author of short stories and historical essays.

Steve’s paintings can be found in museums, corporate, and private collections.

Jason Sacran has a BFA in painting from Tennessee Tech University, and credits towards an MFA from the Academy of Art University in San Francisco. Jason and his family live in Fort Smith, Arkansas, where he was the curator for the Fort Smith Art Center for almost three years. Last year, Jason became a full-time artist/painter, and teaches part-time as an adjunct instructor for the University of Arkansas Fort Smith. Jason is also the Arkansas state ambassador for the Portrait Society of America. He has had several exhibitions and been awarded many times for his works and achievements including several Best of Show and first place awards, scholarships and recognition awards. Jason is best known for his figurative and portrait work.

Will Cooper is a conservative Christian cowboy who owns a 2,500 acre working cattle ranch and dabbles in oil paints at night. He's a seventh generation Texan. His grandfather, 7 generations ago, was one of a handful of men to escape the Goliad massacre. Will's ancestors came from England and Scotland to the new country and made their way to Texas. He was born on a working ranch to very good parents. He played football in college and after graduating he went to work in the oil fields of Odessa. There he met a wonderful girl, they married and she took him to church. He gave his heart to Christ. After a drunk driver killed his wife and unborn son, Will used the insurance money to purchase his south Texas ranch and has since carved out a living raising cattle. A friend suggested he learn to paint, so he went to Herwick’s Art Supply in San Antonio and asked someone to help him with what he needed. He has never been to an artist’s workshop or attended art classes. Will's belief is, if he put miles and miles on his brushes, eventually, he'll get to where he wants to go.

Tricia is a multi-faceted fine artist who creates in various mediums including oil, acrylic, mixed media and digital designs. She also works with recycled found objects.

Her oil paintings are primarily landscapes and floral works with a style that¹s bold and bright with highly textured strokes reminiscent of Van Gogh. Her acrylics are Jackson Pollack-inspired with heavy splashes of color with
lots of motion.

Tricia is a graduate of Southwest Missouri State University in Springfield Missouri, with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Painting.

More information -

Education

• McAuley Catholic High School, Joplin, Mo. 1975
• Southwest Missouri State University (Missouri State University),
  Springfield, Mo. 1979
  (Bachelor of Fine Arts, Painting)
• Central State University, Edmond, Okla. 1980 (Post graduate work,
• Graphics)

Born into an art family, April has been exposed to the arts all her life. Her father, Lowell Davis, has encouraged her love of art. April’s earliest bronze dates back to when she was five years old. She is a sculptor turned oil painter with a focus on nature. Sculpting and nature are a perfect blend for her beautiful flower sculptures. Sculpted entirely by hand April creates delicate flowers, which are then fired and painted with great attention paid to the many colors nature provides.

Lowell Davis is one of the founders of the Midwest Gathering of the Artists. He was an art director for 13 years in Dallas, Texas, after attending Kansas State University.

In time, he moved back to Missouri where he began to pursue his love of art and the easy country life. He reconstructed his boyhood hometown, Red Oak, where he continued his art career and established a following of collectors of his figures and oil paintings of animals and buildings that are on his farm.

He now enjoys the quiet life with his wife, Rose. He spends his days painting and canoeing down the peaceful Elk River, He reflects on a life of love, art, and dreams that came true.

As a regionalist painter, the inspiration and imagery for my paintings come from the small town of Carthage, Mo., where my home and studio are located, and from the beautiful, rolling countryside of my native Missouri Ozarks. My streetscapes and landscapes are loose, realistic renderings of scenes that most people relate to and feel comfortable with. My fascination with steam locomotives allows me to work with more abstract shapes and interesting colors and textures while still keeping a realistic viewpoint. They challenge me to convey the immense power they represent.

For over 20 years, I painted exclusively in transparent watercolor (probably the most difficult medium to master). In the last few years, I expanded into gouache, acrylics and oils as well - a very rewarding experience. Many works in this new medium tend toward impressionism which I love. I believe I always had an innate sense of art. In college, I doodled strange creatures instead of paying attention to my music courses. But music was my chosen field and I spent five years as a woodwind artist in a U.S. Navy Band.

Born in Hollywood, California Theresa knew she wanted to be an artist at six years old. “I remember telling my teachers how to color and draw, stating matter of factly that I am going to be an artist when I grow up. Formal studies began at the University of Hawaii., University of Utah. "I have always believed that art should speak to everyone. Capturing a place in time, an event or moment and infusing it with emotion... are my highest priorties. To draw the viewer into this impressionistic world of realism I tell the story through shapes of color and light expressed with gestural brushwork and a solid design.Whether it is a landscape, still life or figurative I am happy to paint anything that stirs my heart, mind and soul.shapes of color and light; therefore I am happy to paint anything that stirs my heart and mind.I strive for a mix of realism and looseness I find emotionally and visually satisfying" She is influenced by Sargent, Sorrolla, Zorn and current artists Richard Schmid, Dan Gerhartz and Jeremy Lipking. Always eager to improve she has attended workshops with several local artists and received scholarships to Scottsdale Artists' School twice in the last three years. She continues to strive towards excellence and has lived in the Missouri/Kansas area for the past 16 years. She is a member of SPIVA of Joplin Mo, Artists of Northwest Arkansas, Eureka Springs Artists Guild, Bartlesville Art Association, Ok, artCentral of Carthage, Mo., NOAPS, Oil Painters of America, The Academic Artists Association and Landscape Artists International. She also teaches regular classes, dabbles in photography, gives workshops and is a member of Artists Who Teach.

Bob Tommey, nationally known painter and sculptor, was born March 2, 1928 in Ozan, Arkansas. He is best known for his western art and is an admired and respected art teacher with a long list of successful artists who credit Bob's expertise for their achievements. Since 1978, he has been a founder and driving force behind the Midwest Gathering of the Artists show held annually in his adopted home of Carthage, Missouri.

After studying painting and illustration at the Kansas City Art Institute, Williams graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree.

Today, he excels in his ability to paint all subject matter using spontaneous brushwork and creative virtuosity. Most of the time he can be found painting en plein air.

Through this discipline he has found his own recognizable voice, which is now becoming his signature style.

I sculpt, paint, and create because I love to. I try to incorporate art into everything I do. I have always aspired to be a working artist, and now I am pursuing my dream. I work in all mediums. My mood and subject matter often dictate what medium and style I choose for a sculpture or painting. I paint in both realism and abstract styles because I feel that emotions are expressed and understood better through abstract, while the beauty of a subject should be seen through realism. I grew up and attended school in Webb City, MO where I learned the basics of painting and drawing from my high school art teacher, and artist, John Fitzgibbon. While in high school, I attended "Arts Encounter '96" at William Woods University. I took first place with my "Tomato Still Life" at the exhibit. During my senior year I was awarded the "Thomas Hart Benton Art Scholarship" to MSSU. After a couple of years at MSSU majoring in Studio Arts, I left school to start a family. Four kids later I am still pursuing a Bachelors degree in Studio Arts at MSSU as a non-traditional student. Most recently, I was awarded 1st Place for my "found wood" sculpture "Shadow's Perfect Sky" at the 2009 ArtCentral Members show in Carthage, MO. Currently, I reside just outside of Avilla, MO on a crop and cattle farm with my husband Kyle Wilson and our four kids. For the last six years, I have been devoted to my family. During this time the art I created was inspired by sights from our farm, and the emotions I have experienced as a young mother and wife.