Thomas lives in Portland, Oregon with his wife, two boys and two cats. He has been drawing and painting since age two. Tom’s childhood was filled with wonder and imagination. He grew up in an Eichler home in San Jose California, in a neighborhood full of artists and creative people, and so, was exposed to a lot of great art. His mother and father, both quite talented themselves, helped to foster his creativity by providing him with materials, books and great introduction to the arts. In 1986 he gained a BS in fine art from Western Oregon State College in Monmouth,Oregon, and in 1990 he graduated with distinction, earning a BFA in Illustration, from Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, California.

Upon graduation he married his college sweetheart and moved to Brooklyn, New York, where he got his start in editorial illustration and children’s books. When they returned to Oregon Thomas found work as senior illustrator for a children’s CD-ROM company. He now works primarily as a fine artist as well as occasional freelance illustration work.

My hope is, if I’m serious about, what I find wonderful, fantastical or silly, I can make myself, think, imagine, or feel something separate from my current reality, my work is successful. If the viewer has a similar experience then I’m encouraged to explore more. Being trained as both Fine Artist and Illustrator, my work is often found to traverse both realms. I have found inspiration for much of my current work as well as past works from music, my wonderful childhood, my adult desires and never ending imagination. I would describe my work as humorous, whimsical and being on the lighter side of darkness.