Vicki Thomas
Sierra Art Trails 2015 Catalog #7
I love this journey of being an artist! How did I get so lucky? My art interest started when I was quite young. On long, cold wintery nights, I would draw and color with my mother, who also loved art. My father encouraged my art career, although with some reluctance at first.
Flash ahead many years. After Art College in Minneapolis, Minnesota, including a year of study in Europe, I opened my own fashion illustrator business in the heart of the L.A. fashion district. It was an interesting and fast-paced industry that I enjoyed for several decades. Even to this day, I most enjoy drawing children and adults. I also have an attraction for fantasy and whimsical themes. These images have been published in open and limited addition prints, distributed throughout US and Canada. Soon, other images were reproduced on giftware items, such as tea sets, rugs, music boxes and decorative wall plaques.
My husband and I moved from L.A. nearly eight years ago and are only about an hour outside Yosemite National Park. That’s lucky! I’ve branched out to include a number of landscape paintings from this beautiful area. Once a month a group of Yosemite Western Artists paint plein air. We find a suitable place, put up our easels and prepare our palettes and paint the stunning scenery.
In the past, I have enjoyed years of painting watercolor, and teaching the medium to young people for more than a decade, as I continue to in my community. Now I’m painting in acrylics, loving the versatility and their lush, creamy colors. I’m especially fond of painting flowers and floral still-life. If you could see my ragged acrylic brushes, you’d know that I’m a serious painter!
I’ve exhibited and sold at numerous galleries, art shows and I’m involved in art competition, where I’ve received awards in juried shows. I’m an active member of Yosemite Western Artist (Oakhurst), Alliance of California Artists (Fresno), and Society of Western Artists (Fresno/San Bruno). My paintings can also be seen at the Tree Top Gallery, Mariposa County Arts Council in Mariposa.
What I like most is the camaraderie and shared art information with my artist friends.
I’m really lucky.
Sierra Art Trails Open Studio Tour is Friday, Saturday and Sunday, October 2, 3 and 4, 2015. Click here to order catalog attend
Shannon Grissom and I are proud to be mentors to two young and creative artists, Ben Sanguinetti and Jerico Garcellano. Come by and enjoy the journey with us.
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