Smithfield Wine and Beer Festival

Hi Folks,
I just participated (danced and painted) my day away at Smithfield's Wind and Beer Festival 2013
Here is a couple of painting's that I painted from the top of the hill. One was more challenging than the other simply becuase I do not usually do crowds....but here it is...
Also, I'd like to congratulate the Charles Taylor Art Center for putting on such a wonderfully catered event tonight as well. The silent auction was a huge success with lot's of folks turned out and dressed up for a private art auction!!! Yay H.A.L!

Fresh off the easel

Hi folks, hope this finds you well. Now that i am we'll into April '13 and head first into art instructions on a weekly basis, usually 2 different classes a week every week of the month. Squeezing in time to spend behind my easel has been a challenge but I have managed to get some paintings done! The great part of that has been that every painting that I have done this week has already sold!!! This painting journey is always been a blessing to me and I never thought it would be so fruitful as it has been this month. In fact over the last 6 months has far surpassed any of my other growth periods along this journey.

One other major note, I submitted for jury for a festival that I have been looking up to and admiring the artist that have painted at this festival for easily 10 yrs. it is easily regarded as THE BIGGEST AND BEST PAINTING FESTIVAL ON THE EAST COAST, if not the nation. I am happy to announce that I was accepted into PLEIN AIR EASTON!!!! This event happens on July 15-21 in Easton, MD.

I am humbled by this new event and I don't think that I am really ready for this. This event draws folks from all over the world! I realize I have so much work to do before July!!! Hopefully I can get my ducks in a row! Wish me luck! Here is a few paintings that have been able to get finished and a photo of the 2 that sold!!!! AHhhhh summer is gonna be great!!!

April.... No fools here!

Just a quick update, hope y'all's Easter was as much fun as mine. I had time to visit family and share some laughs with others. This is a busy month here for plein air painting, it has begun! I just received notice that I have an invite for plein air Easton!! I have been admirering many other artist that have gotten I to this show in the past and now I get to rub elbows with them!!! Can't wait for this event to be held in July 15-21.
Got lots of work to prepare for this one!

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