Sylvan Gallery Artist: Thomas Torak

Thomas Torak is a nationally recognized artist whose work has been seen in over 200 juried and invitational exhibitions. His paintings have been honored with the American Artists Professional League Medal of Honor at their 66th Grand National Exhibition; the Audubon Artists Gold Medal of Honor at their 59th Annual Exhibition; Best of Show at the 8th Annual National Small Oil Painting Exhib ition in Wichita, KA and the Honor Award for Oil at the Academic Artists Association 50th and 54th National Exhibitions of Contemporary Realism. He has received the top awards at the Salmagundi Club in New York at their Thumb Box Exhibition and a special members exhibit of Flowers.

Thomas began studying at the Art Students League of New York in 1974, studying the first year with Robert Beverly Hale and the next seven years with Frank Mason. Under Mason he learned not only the art of painting but also the craft. He prepares his own canvas, mediums and varnishes and uses only hand ground paint, often grinding the colors himself. A difficult and time consuming task, abandoned by most contemporary artists, but vital to the quality of his work. The methods and techniques he employs are those of the Old Masters, but his paintings are decidedly contemporary. Many of his still lifes contain timeless subject matter such as fruit and flowers, but in others you will find more modern objects such as pizza, comic books or baseball mitts. Thomas paints these elements as if they were enveloped by atmosphere and light, creating a perfect harmony for the whole. His oil paintings, whether floral still lifes or landscapes, are technically masterful and confidently painted. There is a lively energy to his work. Landscapes are often inspired by walks near his Vermont home or a stroll along the Maine coastline.

Please click on image for larger size and information. New Paintings coming in August 2008!



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