Firing on all Cylinders ....

Hi folks,
I hope this blog finds you well, and the summer heat is not keeping you down. My time has been split pretty equally between events in Richmond, Richmond Plein Air 2014, in Hampton at the frame shop, and here at the Thomas Bradshaw Fine Art Gallery/Studio. I have even had time to paint on an almost daily basis. I am so thankful for this talent that God has given me. I am such a lucky person to be able to not have to punch a time clock anymore....AAAhhh, back to the blog....
I have been making huge progress in the gallery. Main gallery has been painted! YES! I am doing trim work now for the next couple of days out in the halls and the stairs, and maybe even get all of that painted as well. I think at the end of all this gallery and in my memoir's I am going to have to write about "how to open your own gallery on a shoestring budget!" But here's some photos from paintings and other happenings. Maybe even one from the gallery!!
Take care, stay cool!
Tom

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

On and Off the Road....

Hi Folks,
I just want to update all of you about what's been happening since "Fresh Cut Greens" posting.

I've been able to take another road trip. This trip up to Urbana, Va to seek out a possible gallery in this quaint small town. Once upon entering Urbana you immediately feel like you went back into Mayberry. It has so much charm and carisma that it just ooozes out of the local's faces when chatting with them. I did, of course, get a chance to paint there and opened some doors for representation. So I'll keep yall up to date there. After that the Van-Go van has needed some TLC so he's been in the shop. That has resulted in less traveling over the past 2 wks. But it has helped in keeping me in the studio and painting from home. Although not as entertaining as being outside, it has it's benefits, and distractions.

Anyway, here are a few paintings that I've done over the past couple of weeks. Keep painting and using that limited palet!

Happy painting...

Rains bring me inside...

Hi folks,
I just wanted to quickly post a blog to keep folks updated and to post some recent paintings here. This week has been rainy here in Smithfield so it's kinda put a damper on Plein air painting. I still struggle to find time and places where I can still paint outside. Here is a few that I've had time to get out in between cloudy skies and days!

Have a great day!
Tom

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!

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

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

Are you driven by the smell of Roses

When I am out painting in the field I often realize how many people just drive by beautiful everyday paintable journeys,or "spots" I call them, and they never really realize what is in their own backyards. Life being an artist is really about stopping and smelling the roses. If you don't stop and absorb what we have around us, how can we really appreciate what we have? Have you ever smelled a rose and not gotten this clean pure tranquil smell? I ALWAYS smell that smell after every time I have painted! It may sound funny, heck it sounds funny to me while writing this...but, I use that as my sign of if the painting is done or not. Why do you think I smell it?