"My work is exclusively representational. I thrive on the challenge of combining realistic, impressionistic and even abstract qualities to capture a scene's fleeting interplay of light and shadow. My goal is to render true landscapes within unexpected boundaries, and I seek to preserve with my brushstrokes those special and fragile places which may not exist tomorrow.
I work primarily in oil, but occasionally in pastel, charcoal or colored pencil. I often stretch my own canvases using the highest quality canvas and stretcher boards so the tension of the completed piece will be to my liking. Even when completed, however, many of my paintings are far from finished. At times, the final step is glazing, with glazes that I mix myself from crystals of Singapore White Damar Gum. Small amounts of pigment are blended into the glazes, and application over weeks and even months often takes longer than the actual painting of the image.
From start to finish, each of my works reflects my meticulous nature and dedication to excellence. I'm proud of the fact that every step, from stretching the canvas to final framing, contains a personal aesthetic expression." —Tom Baker
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After receiving his Ph.D. from Western Reserve University Medical School, Tom spent more than 28 years as a medical research scientist in genetics. Following retirement in 1993 from the University of New Mexico School of Medicine, he renewed his life-long interest in art and attended the Art Masters Academy where he studied under New Mexico artist, Jan Keefer.
Tom frequently does requested scenes and portraits by commission and his pieces are in many private and corporate collections throughout the United States. He is a member of Oil Painters of America, a founding member and past vice-president of the Rio Grande Art Association in New Mexico, and past president of the Virgin Valley Artists Association in Mesquite, Nevada.
He resides in Ashtabula, Ohio with his wife, Georgana.
Georgana creates the "Reproductions" items and she designed and maintains this web site. It keeps
her busy and out of trouble!