FANTASY Politics

Here are two Fantasy Pictures of Politicians enjoying themselves.

Democrat presidents

Republican PresidentsIn any political season, it is pleasant to reflect on those more civilized times when Politicians could get along together because they had the best interests of the USA as a common goal.  

When a Political Office began to to be seen as a CAREER move, it attracted a more venal breed to the detriment of us all.

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The Painter?  Andy Thomas:

All About Andy

Schedule and latest News

• September 11 Eiteljorg Museum Quest for the West Show
• September 11 Midwest Gathering of Artists Auction Carthage, Missouri
• October 2nd International Masters of Fine Art Greenhouse Gallery, San Antonio, Texas

Many call Andy Thomas the ‘Storyteller' and if you have ever had a chance to view his work you might just agree. Currently he is telling many stories with his action filled western art. These pieces are bringing the cowboys back to life as well as the American West history. In the past, Andy has painting many subjects from a picnic by the river, kids playing sports to a brutal bear fight. All of his paintings end up telling you, the viewer some kind of story of our lives. You just never know what he will present to you next.

Cherry Blossom Festival: Andy received the Hubble Award for Initiative in April 2010. It was given for his capturing the spirit of the Presidents in his paintings. It was quite an honor not only to receive the medal but to be among so many descendants of former Presidents of our country. We didn't know about this great event that is only a few hours from our home. Each year these wonderful people come back to Marshfield, Missouri to speak about personal stories of their ancestors, our Presidents. Take a minute to look at the website and see the story of this wonderful event. Andy and I were taken by the fact that these people come every year like a family reunion but many hadn't previously knew one another prior to the CBF birth. Pass the word along to any Presidents ancestor that you might know. The stories are precious of these siblings, sons, daughters, grandchildren, nieces and nephews. Outstanding event that should grow and grow. We will certainly be attending from now on to listen to their stories. 

Auction News!  THE RUSSELL auction and the CM Russell Auction were great for Andy. When Andy's piece came up at both of auctions the excitement in the crowd was overwhelming! We sat as the crowd bid and bid and bid! Both of the pieces hold the title of the highest price in each of the auctions for this year (including deceased artists sales). Andy, along with 23 other artist painted an Art in Action piece as part of a fund-raiser for the CM Russell Museum. The combined total that they raised for the museum was $110k. Great job artists!

Blog, Twitter and Face book Fun: You can now find regular news on Andy via three additional locations. There is a fan page on Face book that has regular updates and even paintings in progress. You can also follow Andy on Twitter! Storyteller@twitter.com

Image Usage: Looking for that image to use in an article, book or documentary? Maybe on your movie set? Give me a call and let me know. We have hundreds of images in oil, pen & ink and washes that cover many, many subjects. Andy has told many stories so I may have what you are looking for. Just give a call to talk about the process. Remember, you need a usage agreement to reproduce an image. 800.432.1581

Callin' the Blue, Grand ol' Gang and True Blues are truly the most exciting project that Andy has worked on. It took weeks and piles of research material just to begin the paintings. Countless sketches of presidents and layouts were done to come up with the originals. With these two paintings Andy has captured the spirit and likeness of some of our nations greatest presidents. You can just hear the muttering between them as they play a friendly game of poker. Again, the creative side put them in the back ground of the convention centers of years ago and if you look closely you will find various items that were related to them, each in their own way. Reproductions are available through this web-site.

Auction Titles Proudly Held  

• 2008 CM Russell Auction; Great Falls, MT; The highest auction price for any piece of art other than a piece by Charlie Russell himself.
• 2010 CM Russell Art Auction and THE RUSSELL Auction; Great Falls, MT; The highest auction price of any art piece, including deceased artists work in both auctions on March 20, 2010.

Kids Can Learn To Draw: This will be ready for purchase sometime in November! We are in the process of having the DVD's made so email me if you are interested in a copy

The End of Soapy Smith:  This was an interesting project that resulted in a great painting. If you don't know about the life of Soapy check out the blog which his great-grandson, Jeff Smith maintains. Skagway, Alaska was the location and he had an interesting life! Read this short blog then judge for yourself.

Booth Western Art Museum: We recently had the special honor of going to the Booth Museum and getting the grand tour by Director Seth Hopkins. Thanks to the Everett's who scheduled a great weekend. The area is fortunate to have the Booth and the Tellus Planetarium in Cartersville, GA. Visit them, you will be amazed. Also, keep the Booth in mind to give your art piece a permanent home.  

Bad Whiskey sold for $110,000 at the 2008 Coeur D'Alene Art Auction and now it is available as a reproduction. Look for the new releases of 5 new westerns soon in the western section of the site.

Greenhouse Gallery of San Antonio Texas has represented Andy since 2002. We would like to thank Mark, Jim and staff for a great job through the years. If you are interested in an original painting this would be the best source. Give Mark a call.

Career: Andy's professional art career began in the fall of 1991 after sixteen years with Leggett & Platt, Inc. He has worked full time from his studio in Carthage Missouri to create his unique oil paintings that many people throughout the nation have purchased. In addition, national parks have his original oils or images that document their battles such as Pea Ridge and Prairie Grove Arkansas, Ft. Donelson and Stone's River (Murfreesboro), Tennessee, Saratoga, NY and Wilson 's Creek, Missouri.

Cherry's Custom Framing in Carthage comes across original oils of Andy's that are secondary market paintings. You should check with Cherry on what she has and also look at her new prints of local interest. 417.358.2707 She comes by some great ones.

Somerset Fine Art of Houston, Texas provides you with the reproductions of his western work as well as theBoom Town Oil well Series that depicts oil towns of yesterday and other special adventures. One is the "Big Dawgs" project that brings to you the "True Blues" and "Grand ol' Gang" images of Presidents playing poker. The newest release of Callin' the Blue has Republican Presidents playing a great game of pool. Somerset will be releasing new western reproductions very soon!

Fun stuff! If you have seen the new Halloween 2 movie let me know if you saw Grand Ol' Gang hanging on the wall!? There will also be three reproductions of Andy's work on the set of the upcoming movie remakeStrawdogs. Let me know! studio@andythomas.com  A large glicee reproduction of Reagan hangs at the Reagan Ranch in California! Wow, what an honor. We are anxious to get out there and take a look at it! 

Andy will have a two page spread in the upcoming issue of Art of the Horse...

Article on Andy:  Abe Lincoln Observer Blog by Michael Kienzler

General Information

You can find his work in magazine articles (recently Quarter Horse Monthly), Western Art Collector, Rural Missouri, National Park Service brochures, Western Art Collector and educational books by the Franklin Watts Children Press, Harcourt and others. He has also illustrated books and his images have been used on many book covers. The hardback book titled The Artful Journey contains over one hundred color images of his work and many include their stories that were mostly written by Thomas. It is available through his studio. In addition to books Andy's work can be found in videos produced by the NPS, US Federal Claims Court and National Geographic.

During the years Andy has judged art shows and given art lessons to both children and adults. He had the honor of being the Artist in Residence at Navarro College in Corsicana, Texas where he lectured and gave painting demonstrations to college students and the general public. His work has won numerous awards and he participates in many shows throughout the country. Some are the CM Russell Art Auction, Settlers West Show, International Masters of Fine Art Show, Salon International Show, Midwest Gathering of Artists, Settlers West Show and others. He is represented by Greenhouse Gallery of San Antonio Texas.

The Pearce Western Art Museum, and the Iowa State Historical Museum are a few of the museums that have his artwork displayed as part of their permanent collections. Also corporations such as Leggett & Platt, Inc., Stanton Partners Inc., Lathrop & Gage, Hometown Bank and Healthpoint Limited are owners of originals. 

Additionally, Andy is a non-resident artist member of the famed Salmagundi Club in New York, The Portrait Society of America and other art organizations. Locally he is a member of artCentral and Spiva Center for the arts.

Andy graduated Magna Cum Laude from MSSU and is married to Dina who is also his business partner. They reside in Carthage and have six children and eight grandchildren.

You can find his work on this web-site and at Greenhouse Gallery.

Stats

Full Name:
Andrew Thomas

Nickname:
Andy

Birthdate:
September 6, 1957

Residence:
Carthage, Missouri

Education:
BS Marketing Management, Missouri Southern State University – 1981
Magna Cum Laude
Primarily self-taught in art
Richard Schmid painting workshop – Scottsdale, AZ

Artistic Influences:
Bob Tommey, western artist
Howard Pyle
Richard Schmid
Frederick Remington
Norman Rockwell
Charles Dana Gibson

Styles:
Realism that ranges from very loose to very tight

Techniques:
I probably use them all.

Discipline:
Painting

Medium:
Oil primarily. Also watercolor, pen & ink, charcoal, pencil, ink wash and sculpture.

Subject:
All subjects – I don’t limit myself to one subject or style.

Statement of purpose:
I always remember why I do paintings or drawings when I see great work I admire and my stomach swirls. I suppose my desire to create is funneled into the area I most admire... painting realism.

Periodicals/ Books where art has been featured:
Western Art Collector, Art of the West, International Artist Magazine, Coast to Coast, True West, America’s Civil War Many historical images have been used in books and as book covers including the Siege of Vicksburg, Wild Bill Hickok – Gunfighter, Civil War in the Ozarks, CW in Indian Territory, CW in Texas and New Mexico. How Did You Paint That? More recently Saratoga.

Movie & documenary inclusions: Halloween II (Grand ol' Gang), Superman (Storyteller)

Self-published book:
The Artful Journey; The Artwork of Andy Thomas. We are currently making a western picture book that will include many images along with a great story.

Exhibition:
Many since 1991 but a few recent ones are:
Scottsdale Art Auction
Coeur d'Alene Art Auction
Settlers West Show
Charles M. Russell Show & Auction (Best of Show)
Salon International Show
International Masters of Fine Art
2004 Portrait Society of America (Top 10 finalist)