Lots of new information, but before that, we'll be right back with you....

Hi folks,
I've been so busy that I haven't posted anything new on here in over a month...well, this is just an update, but I will promise you this....There's big news right around the corner....stay tuned..
In the mean time, here's a few paintings to get you by....

Free Marketing

Hi Folks,
Here's just a quick reminder that if you want to get into the local paper. All you have to do is to show up at one of the local event's and paint. It seems to be such a unique way of capturing the event and most importantly it's so unique that that alone draws in people. So much fun to do as well.
Well, here's just a few pics and a few updates on the gallery movement. It's coming along. Ready to start painting in the primer! So Exciting!
Thanks for looking in!
Take care
Tom

Ps. Please don't forget about my Demo on June 10th at For Art's Sake Gallery in Richmond. More information contact Diane.....For Art's Sake Gallery

Accepting your Subject's

Hi Folks, I am following up with you tonight because I often come across info on the web and it forces me to think and dwell on issues and how paintings come to being. So often I come across these findings and makes me question and question why don't i post them on my blog to possibly stir up the blog and hopefully get a reaction from you guys. Maybe this will work....lol

Here is something I've been thinking about lately, “As you grow older, it dawns on you that you are yourself – that your job is not to force yourself into a style but to do what you want. I saw that if I would accept subjects, I could paint with more absorption, with a certain enthusiasm for the subject which would allow some of the esthetic qualities such as color and composition to evolve more naturally.”

What I take from this statement is this..... There are paintings that I go after that AAAH HAH moments and purely put down color. Those paintings are so much fun and easy to convey because you have that scene right in front of you. It's all spelled out. Then there are painting's that are for study...those scenes where you are there to study why this scene has wound up on your panel. This is why studies are so important. You are studying a scene to get answers, if you can answer that scene then you painted it dead on, if you are unable to answer all the questions and then your painting suffers, it's as simple as that.

So I pose to all of you this question. I'd love to hear back on your thought's about the previous statement. I for one do think in my opinion it is good to step back from doing that AH HAH scene and going with just what is in front of my right at that moment. These times often are the times that make you the best at what you do. You are forced to annalyze the scene in a whole different point of view because you are not going for an AH HAH moment. you have to get down to the brass tax of why you are painting. It's interesting to do these painting's for the mere fact of painting and finding out why you are painting that scene. Great things come from these subjects even if you never noticed.

here are 2 paintings that I'll post here.
One's from an AHH HA moment, and one's from a study for study perspective. Which one sings to you?

Pre Fall preparations....including the bug spray

Hi Folks,
I am just taking a small chance to write on my blog tonight after a couple of wks of painting, a plein air exhibit (plein air 757) and the very next week preparations for my opening reception at Blue Skies Gallery. All this has happened so fast that I have not even had much time to recollect on my paintings that have come across my brush. I try to approach each painting differently from the one before, but still keeping the things I learned from the last painting fresh in my mind. This keeps everything fresh and free aspect about my work. I often look at some of my work and note to myself that one works, one doesn't or it doesnt have feeling with in itself. I do not like to put work out there that doesn't have it's own presence, so it usually get's covered up or painted over. I try to paint daily and even those that do not make the cut, it's still an opportunity to paint and it's still brush mileage. The result might not be up to par, but I usually do notice things to change and the process of change is recognized. Whether that sticks for the next painting? That remains to be seen in every case...

Well, here are a few paintings that have been painted over the past couple of wks. Hope you enjoy!
Tom

Fresh Cut Grass.....

Hi Folks,
Now that we are full on into the summer season here in Virginia countryside I like to say how green everything is. We are getting rain on a nearly daily basis. It's tough for the painter in more ways than one. All this green that is out there reminds me just how important mixing your greens are vs. the boring ole technique of pulling out Varidian and just using green from a tube. I have stood by my color palet system now for almost 8 years and now it is more important than ever when out mixing greens. I found this system from a class I took from Scott Christensen. He teaches a large group of students the fundamentals on color theroy and composition. His goals are to go small, time limit, and mixing accurate color. All are so vital in plein air painting. If you ever want to take a top notch workshop (I think the best in the country) look up Scott. He has a wealth of knowledge and inspiration for all painters. Oh, his palet is unmatched and I think I'll be using this palet for the rest of my life. It's so much fun mixing color and it always get's the juices flowing from the start of any scene!

Here are a few paintings from my limited palet of
Ultramarine Blue
Cadminium Yellow Light
Permanent Red Medium
and Titanium White

Thanks for looking in!
Tom

March Madness

Hi Folks,
I just want to update many of you living in the Hampton area to drop by Blue Skies Gallery soon to see my new paintings going up. I am changing out my wall today with a fresh set of paintings. I would post here but I am one to likes to keep the suspense so you'll have to go by and see the wall! Also, don't forget to sign up for my Plein Air workshop that is happening on April 15,16,22,23rd! This should be a lot of fun and now that the days are getting longer and the sun is bond to warm up before then. At least I'm counting on it to!

Alas, here are a few paintings that I have had time to work on in the studio recently.
Hope you enjoy!
Tom

Hi Folks, Ive settled into a new place here in Smithfield, Va. The country living is something I have viewed as the ideal lifestyle. Away from everything and lots of new items to paint, including old weathered barns, distant vistas, and strong shadows that happen when you are around lots of trees. I think this new location is going to be great for me artistically and emotionally. I have been painting nearly everyday since coming out here. My work is expanding on a daily basis! It has given me a chance to realize how important art is to my soul. Here are some recent paintings...Hope you enjoy! Tom

Sailing back to 1692....

Hi Folks, It's been a couple of weeks since posting and now that I'm settled into my new abode I thought it would be a great time to post some new paintings to my blog. Today is just a wonderful day outside and feeling rejuvenated to paint and begin this next segway on my journey. I have found new areas to paint here in beautiful Smithfield, Va and it appears there is again a wealth of possibilities just around the corner. I have found a great church that was build in the days of Jamestown. Yes, it was built in 1692. Wow, and it's still standing. I'm not a good writer so hopefully you will forgive me for my imperfections here. I need to find a writer to be able to put down proper grammer, but until then yall will have to overlook my imperfections. Here are some recent paintings done in the Smithfield area and beyond. Also, I want to give yall an update on an Exciting opportunity that I have teaching a workshop at the Smithfield Station. The Station has a great little marina with open views that are just begging to be painted. This one day class will take place on April 6th. For more information shoot me an email or simply call 757 618 4285 for more information on the class. I'm looking fwd to a great spring for painting and getting others started along their own journeys in painting. Stay tuned. Tom

Thomas Bradshaw workshop preparations!

Well, apparently my Blogger app on my iPhone 5 is not working right. I have put 2 post into that app and niether of them were ever posted...So here is the more recent one that I did just the other wk. This will catch you up with a bit of my history, Hi Folks, I want to let folks know who follow my blog that my workshop preparations have begun for 2013.Currently I am teaching a basic landscape class that is meeting every Monday afternoon at 4pm out of Blue Skies Gallery in Downtown Hampton. Blue Skies gallery is a wonderful place to teach with plenty of room to spread out and discuss my topic on color theory, composition, and value studies. Although this class is already underway, you can be put on a mailing list for my March class's which will be taught at the Chamberlin. Details are still being hashed out for this.We are also planning a workshop in April, still early in the work stages. Charles Talor Art Center in Hampton has inked me in for April 28, and May 5th. This class is deeply discounted and is only $50! so Call The center for more details. Charles Taylor Art Center,4205 Victoria Blvd, Hampton, VA 23669Many more to come so if your interested in getting involved, shoot me a line and I'll keep you updated!Spring is around the corner, so let's get out there and paint!Tom

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

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!