Practice with Perfection

There are stages in life, at least in my life, where there are momentary lapse of reason. Those moments vary greatly in length. Many are so long that I even forget that there are lapse of reason. They just become the norm. I continue to paint haphazardly and forget all knowledge that I have accumulated over 13 years of painting. Then there are days where everything just pops. Where the reasoning is over and you know that what you are doing is half hearted. Those days are needed in everyone I think, I mean we all go through life's uncertainties, uncertain at times, right? Haveing lived through so many of these that when I do land on my feet again I realize how little perfect practice I do. Perfect practice makes perfect paintings. To think higher than oneself and go for the gold. That's very challenging but I think we all should set out goals this way. Be it in running or just building model airplanes, do it with passion, with heart. Do whatever, but do it to the best of your ability!

Winter chill 1690

Hi folks, this time of year is a time of stiff paint, numb fingers and hot cider. One of the best times of the year for painting! Winter light has always been a favorite of mine. It's subtleties are always a challenge to capture in paint due to the temps outside. If you are able to prepare and you have on your endurance cap on it is surely worth venturing out in the elements.ti capture the soft pastel palet of mothere nature. Here Is a painting from Williamsburg I squeezed in 2 days ago in this beautiful town that hasn't changed in 200 years

How far do you go?

So often in painting I think we carry ourselves too far, not stopping a painting before its immanent death. Which in my time has been 95% of the time.

Cooler days are upon us

Hey everyone, things are starting to get a bit chilly, paint is getting stiffer from the tubes, fingers are going numb while painting. At what point do you take your butt inside and get cozy? Push on through, is what I say! Everything good is only achieved from pushing through all odds to the final product!
Here are a few paintings done with numb fingers. I hope you enjoy!

Full on Color! It's been peak here for color over the past wk. I have been fortunate enough to be able to get out and enjoy a few days of some of the best color of all year. I just ABSOLUTELY LOVE THIS TIME OF YEAR!!! Every year I am in amazememnt again at the sites around! I often forget how beautiful winter light is to paint. God is really great to our eyes!

Plein Air 757

Hello Winter, er...winter-ish Hello folks. Hope you all have been well.... I have been up to my usual painting adventures. I recently participated in a Plein air event here in the Norfolk area called Plein air 757. It was an event where 40 regional artist all came together and spent 2 days painting in the (phone) area code of 757. It was my first time taking part in an event here in Va like this so I was very excited about it! The first day presented absolutely amazing weather! I did 3 painting's that first day. The second turned cloudy due to a tiny storm called Sandy. Sandy didn't rear her ugly head here in Va as much as in the New England area. Some painters were actually scrambling back to their families in the hard hit areas. From what i hear there are a few that still are without power. My heart goes out to them and their struggles. Here are some of the paintings that resulted from that event. I did win 2 awards for one of my paintings and one even sold the night of the "Wet painting sale!" Here are those pics!

I also did a larger piece that is in there as the last one that I have been working on in the studio for a Gallery on this side of the river. Hope you enjoy your fall, and Happy painting everyone! Tom

The passing of Fall

Hi everyone. How is your fall going? I have been busy keeping work flowing and keeping things fresh here and at the galleries. I have been invited to show at the Chapmans Gallery here at Peninsula Town Center here in Hampton. Stop in sometime in November to see the new paintings! Also, coming this week is a HUGE PA757 paint out and wet painting sale on Sat. If you are interested in attening this great show you can find it at www.pa757.com to get tickets and all the goodies there. Here are a few paintings that are going into the gallery and some that I have done recently. Thanks for looking in! Tom

buy my art!

I am testing out a new way to economically buy my art. Click on the link above to take you to image kind to buy prints of my work. I will upload more paintings into this site on a regular basis as they have been painted. Hope this helps with all the inquirers!

Beginnings of fall

Here is a recent plein air I did with a friend up in Richmond, Va. I always learn alot about philosophy and a little about painting when I paint with him. Tomas' is quite the philosopher and a mighty good compositional painter... here is a few of our more recent journeys around Richmond.

Announcing.... thomasbradshaw.net !

After nearly 2 years of not being able to easily find me on the net I have gotten a domain name just for me. I hope it will direct more traffic to my blog and in turn direct more people who love my art and inspire me to create more. Fall is in the air here along the coast. We have had 2 wks now with mid 70's temperatures consistently keeping the summer heat at bay. A few announcements for everyone to become aware of is a new Gallery Representation coming in October to The Chapmans gallery here in Hampton at the Hampton Peninsula town center just off of Mercury Ave. Also I have put together a plein air painting workshop geared around my style. I have it set up to meet at Blue Skies Gallery in Old Town Hampton on October 8th, and October 15th. Both are Monday meetups and I will give an hour lecture about my process, then we take a very short walk to waterside pier and do a painting for the next 2 hrs. Call Leslie at Blue Skies gallery for more info....(757) 727-0028, or just shoot me an email. Here is a few paintings done over the course of the last couple of weeks. Hope you like! Take care

Bay Days

Bay Days was this past weekend. IT's where a whole bunch of people come to town to I think, drink alot of beer, and oogle over someone elses boat. How big is yours, etc... but a few artist set up right outside of Blue Skies Gallery on King St and displayed our paintings or wares. It turned out to be a huge success! Both for Blue Skies and for us artist who were looking to build their contact list and just to get together as a one unit and talk art! I have to say that Leslie, owner of Blue Skies, is one of the most incredible ladies around! Thank you Leslie for all that you did for us this past wk end. You make all the efforts of us artist look so easy! Aside from that I have been working on some studio work so here's another painting fresh off the easel... Hope you like Tom Evening Sail 18 x 24 Oil on canvas

Hampton Bay Days!

Hi folks, I just want to remind everybody that Hampton's Bay Days is just around the corner! I am very excited to participate in this event as part of BLue Skies Gallery on King st. in downtown Hampton. This event from what I hear, is ALWAYS fun with thousands in attendance each year! Come out to my booth and say hi! Here are some paintings that I am anticipating in having at the festival!

Coming in from the Storm 22 x 28 This piece is now on display at the Charles Taylor Hampton Arts Center in Old Town Hampton, Va. The show runs Sept. 1 through October 14th. Come out and view all of the great art!

The Air up there...

The Air up there... How many artist take a few minets out of their day to stop and look at the sky. I mean, usually when I'm out the sky is very influential. When I go out to paint, I have an idea in mind of what I want to paint. Usually those ideas change according to the scene and what works with in a painting. After I'm done with the academic stuff, I usually look to be a little more responsive to open up my senses a bit and look for how the clouds move throughout the wonderful sky! It's the most liberating form of painting. A place to be free of rules and thought. Mother nature forces you to be fast when working on sky scene's. Since they are constantly moving, you have no time to second judge your actions, forceing one to open up and be free. I try to get in one painting a wk geared toward a sky. Some wks it works, some wks, we just have those Va. grays that I used to tease my Mom about as a child. With any effort, you can always look up and paint what you see. In 5 minets, It will be completely different. Take the jump, it's worth the leap!

Some recent plein air's and a couple of studio pieces fresh off the easel's As always, comment and critique. It always helps! Thanks, Tom

Summer Heat!

Hi Guys, I hope summer has been busy and productive for everyone! I have been busy painting and exploring my 3 color palet scheme as always. I really do love the restricted palet. It's quite liberating pushing and exploring color to achieve an accurate balance with in each painting. On a lighter note I do want to mention my recent activities at Blue Skies Gallery, here in Hampton. I did a Large Demo for the girls and if your interested in the painting contact Leslie at the gallery! She'd love to hear from you. Here is the painting....

Also other paintings that I have been working on since last time I posted on here! Have a great rest of your summer! Paint on! Tom