John Thomas : Teacher and Realist Painter
John E. Thomas, born in 1951, began drawing in high school. Encouraged by his teacher, he continued his artistic training at Indiana University where he earned a Bachelor Degree. He furthered his training by attending Notre Dame University where he earned a Master of Arts Degree in painting.
Inspired by the smooth look of the airbrush, he mastered the tool, and is known for his large paintings on canvas. The photo-realistic images have won him many awards through out the years. Included in this list are: Best of Show at the Ninth Biennial Michiana Regional Art Competition in South Bend, IN, Best of Show as well as Popular Prize in the Indiana State Fair Show, and The Museum Guild Purchase Award in the Annual Mid-States Art Exhibition in Evansville, IN. His paintings are part of the permanent collections of the Indianapolis Museum of Art and the Evansville Museum of Arts and Science.
He has taught high school art for 36 years while continuing to pursue his own art career. Many of his students have gone on to become professionals in the field of art. His art department, at John Glenn High School, has won 15 national achievement awards from the Scholastic Art Awards in New York.
He continues to paint using a variety of mediums such as oils, watercolor, and acrylics. He paints a variety of subjects; however, figures and portraits continue to be his favorite.