I first met Andy almost 40 years ago when participating in a Midwest Gathering of Artists show in Carthage, Missouri. And now, here we are all these years later partnering together, along with Tim Breaux, in the formation of the American Heritage Art Gallery. Andy’s talent was obvious from the first time we met, and even more so today. How his career has blossomed, even flourished, is something to behold, some work selling into six figures. From the beginning, he had great ability in capturing a person’s likeness, while also telling a story about them. So, one year he created a painting of all the MGA Show participants…a cool idea. He depicted me with the high wheeler, indicating my love of cycling. (Click images to enlarge)
Participants in the Midwest Gathering of Artists Show in Carthage, Missouri. It’s amazing how Thomas developed the character of each participant.
Collectors respectfully refer to Andy as a great “storyteller” and compare his paintings favorably to the works of Remington and Russell. Through his paintings, Andy allows the viewer to be a participant in the scene rather than a spectator.
Andy Thomas
Things could have turned out quite differently. I remember being notified in 1996 that Andy had been injured in an explosion while working in his shop. His hands had been severely damaged. I couldn’t believe it and feared the worst. Later, attempting to return to painting prematurely, he further injured his right hand. That’s when he took up painting with his left hand, producing some amazing work. When both hands were fully healed, he was able to paint equally well with both hands simultaneously, while working on two different paintings…doubling his production…just kidding.
Andy didn’t begin his professional career in the fine arts. After graduating from high school, he went to work for Leggett & Platt, Inc. in their Marketing Service Department, an in-house ad agency. During this time, he also attended Missouri Southern State College, graduating magna cum laude with a degree in Marketing Management in 1981. Employed for 16 years with the Fortune 500 company, he advanced to become its staff Vice-President before finally resigning his position in 1991 in order to pursue painting full-time.
“Showdown” – 14″ x 15″ – Pen/ink
I’ve always accused Andy of having a photographic memory because of his uncanny ability to record things he has seen or experienced. He denies my claim, but there is something extraordinary in his ability to capture a moment in time…to tell a story that is capable of transporting folks to another place and time. If he had lived in the old west, cowboys would have paid him to join them by the campfire and spin a yarn. His vivid memory and imagination enable him to create paintings pregnant with action and drama…paintings sought after by a growing number of collectors.
Desiring to learn more, Andy graciously agreed to an interview which I am pleased to share with you. I think you will find it interesting.
“Wild Days” – 12″ x 9″ – Oil
“One Riot, One Texas Ranger” – 36″ x 30″ – Oil
You define yourself as a painter of history, how do you go about translating the written account into a fully realized painting? Painting an actual event is a challenge. If I am true to factual history, many of my creative tools are taken from me. Still, I can be somewhat creative and use my craft and research to produce a work that people appreciate. Historically based paintings that are not a specific event are much easier. I get much of my inspiration from reading personal journals and memoirs of the time because they are full of feelings and impressions.
“The Trail of Tears in Springfield” – 30″ x 48″ – Oil
Your western themes have really caught on with collectors, why do you suppose that is? There’s a little boy inside me who wants to be a cowboy someday. I suppose that makes me paint westerns with enthusiasm.
What part does photography play in your work? I use many photos for background reference but really only paint directly from photos of rifles or pistols and sometimes for hands. In the course of painting a figure, I often pose myself and take a photo to check anatomy or clothing wrinkles.
What is the major thing you look for when selecting a subject? I have learned to fumble around with ideas until one gets me excited. Lots of thumbnails and color studies.
“Desperate Ride” – 24″ x 36″ – Oil
“An Eye for Trouble” – 24″ x 36″ – Oil
How thorough is your initial drawing? Very, very loose. I really let details emerge and develop as I paint. Sometimes I move arms or legs many times in the process.
Describe your typical block-in technique. My usual procedure starts by taking a photograph of my color study and printing the image on an 8.5″x 11″ paper. I then draw a 16-square grid on the photograph. I prepare my large canvas by staining it with a brown/black mixture (ultramarine blue and transparent red earth). I use the same mixture to brush in the 16-square grid on the canvas and to redraw the color study.
At this point, I usually block-in the whole canvas with thin color and soft edges. The washed in canvas should have the correct color, value, and composition of the finished painting with no details. I then begin the slow process of finished, detailed painting by working on individual figures or small areas and working around the canvas.
“Moby Dick” – 26″ x 38″ – Oil
How do you decide the dominating mood for a painting, and how do you maintain it? My paintings are narrative, storytelling affairs and the mood of the painting is part of the story. The mood is controlled by the choice of light source, the deepness of the shadow areas and the body language and expressions of the figures. Since I use figures often, body language is important. I never paint a man just standing. My men stand in defiance, or in fear, or with boredom, etc. That’s what I try to do, anyway.
What colors are most often found on your palette? Ultramarine blue, transparent red earth, Venetian red, cadmium yellow deep and zinc/titanium white are always on my palette. I keep cadmium yellow light and cadmium red available but rarely use them. My vision of color is weak, so this limited palette suits me.
What are the key points one needs to know when creating a true sense of atmosphere? Light source, light source, light source.
“A Tribute to America”
You have a strong affinity for illustrators of the past, why is that? I think they were the best artists. They did paintings that fascinate me. They have not had a chorus of art historians promoting them.
So, if you could spend the day with any three artists, past or present, who would they be? Howard Pyle, Charles Russell and Frederic Remington.
What advice would you have for a young artist/painter? Here’s the best advice that was ever given to me. I asked an artist I greatly admired the same question, hoping he would tell me something like “paint horses, you can make good money painting horses” or “go to this show and you’ll sell out”. Instead, his answer addressed my artwork; “Whatever you see as your weakness, attack it. For example, if you can’t paint hands, practice until you can”. I followed his advice. The same artist, when I asked him, “What was the most important thing about a painting?”, immediately said, “The reason you wanted to paint it in the first place”. Perfect answer. The artist was John Pototschnik.
“Old Glory”
What advice do you have for a first-time collector? My experience shows me that people who only buy artwork they personally like are forever happy with their choice. I was always uncomfortable when people looked at my work for decorative or investment reasons. I do know that a painting you enjoy doesn’t require maintenance or your time, like so many other things we buy.
Finally, Andy, if you were stranded on an island, which three books would you want with you? Atlas Shrugged (because of the message and because it would take being marooned to get me the time to reread it), and True Grit (better with each rereading). My third book would be some sort of survival guide so I wouldn’t be hungry while reading the other two.
Thanks Andy for a wonderful interview.
To see more of Andy Thomas’ work...https://andythomas.com/