Tom Christopher

Tom Christopher is a Signature Member of the Pastel Society of America (PSA) and

  Master Circle,  International Association of Pastel Societies. (IAPS)

Artist Statement

Living in the Midwest has influenced my style of painting and choice of subject matter significantly. Many of my pieces depict very common scenes I have experienced.  As a child, I spent countless hours playing on the riverbanks and wooded areas in Central Iowa. Even today, I continue to be intrigued with nature and the way sunlight and shadows help define the landscape. I continue to spend my mornings  hiking and sketching the rugged landscape along the Iowa River near my home.   My goal is to paint relatively common scenes in a more dramatic and interesting way. Most of my finished works are the result of  reference photographs and on-location (plein-air) studies.
I have worked primarily in pastels and oil paints.  I plan to continue to explore these two mediums and look forward to many more years of painting and conducting workshops.
 

 Awards  

 2008  4th Place  - The Pastel Journal Top 100 Paintings

 2010  First Place  - Arkansas  Pastel  Society National  Exhibition     

2011   Feature article in the Pastel Journal  - "Rural Values" 

 2012   Honorable Mention  - Pastel Journal Top 100 Paintings

 2013   Purchase Award -  Pastel Society Society of New Mexico National Exhibition

 2013  Honorable Mention  - Pastel Journal Top 100 Paintings

 2014   Honorable Mention - Pastel Journal   Top 100  Paintings 

2014   Merit Award - Great Lakes Pastel Society National Exhibition

2014   Feature Article - Plein Air Magazine

2014   Terry  Ludwig  Award  - Pastel Society of the West Coast Annual Exhibition  

 2015   Best of Show - IAPS  "International Association of Pastel Societies"

              exhibition Albuquerque, NM

2015;  Workshop/ Demo artist for IAPS Convention Albuquerque NM

2015   Pastelist Award - Pastel Society of America

 2017   Demo Artist   PLein Air Convention  Tucson Az

 2017   Awarded Master Circle medal  IAPS convention .. Demo Artist

 2017   Albert Handell Award   - International Association Of Pastel Societies  IAPS International exhibition.