About
About the Artist, Education, Awards &
Recognition, Publications, and New Wave Art
About the Artist
Thomas ("Tom") K. O'Brien began drawing at the age of four after posing for a portrait drawn by his mother. "Watching my mother draw my portrait was magical. Her ability to capture my likeness on a piece of paper was amazing to me." Inspired by his mother, Tom began his art career drawing storybook characters. His interest in the Walter Foster books gave him his first lessons in observational skills and artistic methodologies. He spent his teenage years studying art history, taking a special interest in the Philadelphia Art Museum. During this time, Tom began his formal art training privately with instructor Isa Barnett in Broomall, Pennsylvania. While still in high school, Tom began studying drawing at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia under instructor Gene Feldman.
Tom had the particular privilege of studying with prominent painter and educator Arthur Decosta at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, earning a Certificate of Fine Arts. Tom was also highly influenced by Lou Sloan and Homer Johnson. All three instructors had a lasting effect on his career. In combination with his studies in the fine arts, Tom earned an associate's Degree at the Art Institute of Philadelphia, studying commercial art and illustration.
After a career working as a technical illustrator and elementary art education teacher, Tom returned to formal studies in 2003, taking classes at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts and at Carlin Academy of Fine Arts of Classical Painting in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania.
At Carlin Academy of Fine Arts, he studied drawing, painting, and composition with instructor Neilson Carlin. Through Mr. Carlin, Tom studied painting techniques intensively and can directly trace his educational heritage to the Ecole des-Beaux Arts of 19th-century France.
In the summer of 2008, Mr. Carlin selected Tom to apprentice him in the execution of four grand-scale, multi-figure commissioned paintings for The Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in La Crosse, WI. Tom assisted on another commission, this time a mural designed for the ceiling of the Epiphany Catholic Church, Normal, ILL. In the winter of 2009 and 2010, Mr. Carlin asked Tom to apprentice him in the execution of a full-size reproduction painting of "Adoration of the Magi" painted by Murillo in 1640.
Tom is the inventor of a new and innovated artist palette that provides a patent 3 anchor point design for absolute balance and comfort. The product is manufactured and marketed by New Wave® Fine Art Products (www.newwaveart.com) who offers the design in a variety of options for diverse subjects and all technical methods of painting.
Tom is a member of the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts Alumni & Fellowship Organization, the Portrait Society of America, Artist's Equity, and the Philadelphia Water Color Society.
Exhibition Resume
Artist
Thomas K. O’Brien Phone: (610) 883-3376
Education
2000 – 2014
Private study, Carlin Fine Arts Studio, Kennett Square, Pa.
2000 – 2009
Continuing Education programs, PAFA, Philadelphia, Pa.
1983 - 1985
Art Institute of Philadelphia, Pa.
1968 - 1972
Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, Philadelphia, Pa.
Awards
Princeton Traveling Scholarship / Thomas Eakins Memorial Prize
Portraits
Non-Commission
Noah Lewis, Reenactor of the Revolutionary War period who portrayed Ned Hector.
Chuck Felds, Pennsylvania Horticulturist, and Master Sand Sculptures and Reenactor.’
Commissions
John R. Miller, Educator for 31 years for the Downingtown School District.
Alisa Black Dupuy, is a French teacher and a Historic reenactor and storyteller.
Ron Barnes, Retired Manager for Sunoco Philadelphia Refinery.
Exhibitions
2019
PAFA- Fellowship Annual Members Exhibition (FAME),
Hot Bed Gallery, Philadelphia Pa.
2018
Historic Yellow Springs, Chester Springs, Pa., Members Show.
2018
Berwyn, Pa., Devon Horse show and Country Fair.
2017
Wayne Art Center, Wayne, Pa. Members Show.
2017
Historic Yellow Springs, Chester Springs, Pa., Members Show.
2016
Wayne Art Center, Wayne, Pa. Open Exhibition of Works
2015
Salmagundi Club, New York City, New York. 87th Grand National
American Artists Professional League Exhibition.
2015
Wayne Art Center, Wayne, Pa. Members Show.
2015
Pottstown Area Artist Guild at Boyer Gallery, Pottstown, Pa
2015
Philadelphia/Tri State Artists Equity Anniversary Exhibition,
The Art Gallery at Franklin Commons, Phoenixville, Pa.
2014
The Pottstown Area Artists Guild at the Boyer Gallery,
Pottstown, Pa.
2013
Philadelphia/Tri State Artist Equity Anniversary Exhibition
Widener University, Chester, PA.
2012
Philadelphia/Tri State Artist Equity Anniversary Exhibition,
West Chester State University, West Chester, Pa.
2011
Wayne Art Center, Wayne, Pa. Members Show.
2011
Philadelphia/Tri State Artists Equity Anniversary Exhibition
Wayne Art Center
2010
Artists Equity Fall Show, Conshohocken, Pa., Members Show
Philadelphia/Tri State Artists Equity Anniversary Exhibition
2010
Montgomery County Community College
2009
Wayne Art Center, Wayne, Pa., Members Show.
2009
Philadelphia/Tri State Artists Equity Anniversary Exhibition,
Berman Museum of Art at Ursinus College.
2009
Philadelphia Sketch Club, Phila. Pa., Open Show.
2008
Portrait Society of America, Fla., Members Showcase.
Competition
2008
Wayne Art Center, Wayne, Pa., Members Show.
2012
The Atelier and the Training of the Artist Pierre S. DuPont Arts
Tower Hill School, Wilmington, Dela..
2010
DCAD, C/E Spring Show Competition
2009
PAFA, C/E Spring Show Competition
2008
PAFA, C/E Spring Show Competition
2007
PAFA, C/E Spring Show Competition
Awards
2015
Honorable Mention, Still Life-Oil, Pottstown Area Artist Guild
2014
Second Place, Still Life-oil, Pottstown Area Artists Guild.
2011
The Board of Directors Award, Self Portrait – oil
Wayne Art Center.
2011
Rubenstein’s (supplies) Art prize, Still Life - oil
Philadelphia/ Tri State Artists Equity.
2010
Cristina Zucker Jordan Memorial Award, Still Life - oil
Philadelphia/ Tri State Artists Equity.
2008
Earned 5th Place, Self-Portrait- oil, Portrait Society of America
2008
Honorable Mention, Still Life – oil, Wayne Art Center.
Donations
2015
Chester County Library, Exton, Pa., A book about, Therese Schwartze,
Titled ‘Painting for a Living”
Written by Cora Hollema a new addition in English
2009/2015
Wyndcroft School, Pottstown, PA., Giclee, oil painting “A Childs Play”
Teacher / Instructor
2019
Historic Yellow Springs / Chester Springs Studio, Chester Springs,PA., Notan Watercolor Painting. Enjoy the beauty of Historic Yellow Springs as you learn watercolor techniques used in the ancient Japanese art of Notan. A Japanese word meaning “dark-light,’ Notan as it relates to art, is defined as the interaction between positive and negative space. Build a solid foundation in your painting through the use of shape and form. Learn to capture the essence of the surface by addressing the view, light, background and composition.
2018
Historic Yellow Springs / Chester Springs Studio, Chester Springs, PA., Still Life Drawing and Painting. Learn the fundamentals of drawing and painting still life. Build a solid foundation in your painting through composition, form and perspective. Improve observation skills as you learn to see value and color relationships. Work in pencil, pastels, acrylic or oil paint to achieve your creative goals. Personal attention will be given to each student to address challenges at their individual skill level and pace. No previous experience is necessary. Material list is provided.
2014/Present
Chadds Ford Days, Chadds Ford, Pa., A two day event of arts and crafts, and Revolutionary War re-enacting. Posing as Charles Wilson Peale a portrait painter in the 18th Century, dressed in colonial attire (citizen clothing) for the event. I was lecturing on the life of CWP a painter. Also lectured on the Georgian period of portrait work.
2016
Chadds Ford Historical Society, Chadds Ford, PA., Tavern Talk at the Barns Brinton House. The heading that night was on “Creating the perfect Colonial Selfie. The Lecture will be about the Pre-Digital Age – “Silhouettes,” and creating a workshop silhouette.
2015
Chester Charter School for the Arts, Aston, Pa.
Lecture Topic: The “Freedom Fighter”. The lecture will be about the life and history of Edward (Ned) Hector, a colonial soldier during the Revolutionary War, who Tom painted. The topics are inspiration, design strategy and the working process in the development of painting a colonial re-enactor.
2014
Pottstown Area Artists Guild, Pottstown, Pa.,
Lecture Topic: The “Freedom Fighter”. The lecture will be about the life and history of Edward (Ned) Hector, a colonial soldier during the Revolutionary War, who Tom painted. The topics are inspiration, design strategy and the working process in the development of painting a colonial re-enactor.
2012
Wayne Art Center, Wayne, Pa. Color Mixing & Palette Set-Up. The class will cover hue, value, Chroma and the understanding of neutrals in mixing oil paints. Palette arrangement involves making any color possible, accurate or quick and it is possible to repeat when you want. By building up competence, you will have an order in thinking and an order with your palette. Learn about a type of palette for comfort, stability and function.
Bibliography
2017
Professional Artist Magazine, Article-May,Palette Matters/ written by Kevin Muente
2014
Mercury News Paper, Pottstown, Pa.“Nationally known artist and inventor “Article- June
2013
Professional Artist Magazine, Article- Artists as Inventors /Written by Kim Hall
“How Innovative Individuals have made an Impact on the Art Supply Industry”
Sub Heading – Thomas O’Brien, Inventor of New Wave Artist Palette. April / May
2000
The Marquis “Who’s Who in America”
1999-2000 “Who’s Who in the East”
If you are interested in learning more about palettes, contact New Wave
Art. There you will find New Wave Art Products:
New Wave Artist Palettes
An iconic tool redesigned to meet the standards of today's artists.
U.go Plein Air
Pochade boxes and accessories that prepare you for any plein air adventure.
Masterson Art
The original Sta-Wet Palette system and more, since 1973.