TOM HALE

 A serious interest in fine art painting began in 1972 for Tom Hale. Born in Union City, NJ, Tom has resided in Michigan for most of his life. He attended Michigan State University for one year as an art major and then went on to the Art Center School in Los Angles, CA, from which he received a Bachelor of Science degree with Honors in 1966. From 1966 through 1985, Tom was employed as a style designer at General Motors, Chrysler and American Motors. In 1985, he chose to pursue his art career full time, earning his living exclusively with his artwork.

Tom’s love for painting has earned him numerous competitive awards. His work is shown extensively throughout the nation and has been exhibited in both national and international competitions. Tom has completed over thirty-one hundred original paintings, which are in the hands of corporate, private and individual art collections. His list of clients include major corporations and individuals from all walks of life that reside in at least twelve countries In the world.

Although his awards total over 350, the one that he is most proud of is the GOLD MEDAL OF HONOR from the 113 th annual American Watercolor Society (AWS) in New York City for his painting titled “Chrome”.

Tom is a signature member and Dolfin Fellow (DF) of the American Watercolor Society; a signature member of the National Watercolor Society(NWS); a signature member of the Michigan Watercolor Society (MWCS) and a member of the Automotive Fine Art Society (AFAS). In 2005, Tom was elected the Hall of Fame in the Auburn Cord Duesenberg Museam, Auburn, Indiana. He has been selected to be the juror of many art competitions and also speaks and critiques art work for various art clubs and organizations. In addition, Tom also chairs three different event shows and commissions various artists to create event posters.

Tom’s works can be viewed at selected art exhibits around the country; Concour d’Elegance events and various other automotive events. His studio in Farmington Hills, MI is open by appointment.

STATEMENT

I feel very fortunate that I am able to create paintings that are important to me. It is what I do, it is what I love and it is my life. I’ve never fully understood the creative process as it is exciting, frustrating, painful at times, distracting, elusive and appears to be a never ending struggle. But for some unknown reason, it persists in compelling me to continue to create paintings.

I am not satisfied with the status quo and want to continually evolve my art. No finished piece is good enough and the next painting simply needs to be better.

I choose to show detail compositions of automobiles and am fascinated with the reflective surfaces and attempt to create shapes – some realistic and many abstract to enhance these surfaces. Beginning in 1992, at the suggestion of my late wife Micki, I added floral images to my compositions. These are both challenging and exciting and complement the hard reflective surfaces of the automobile with the softness and organic qualities found in flowers. Some of these floral compositions become surreal with the use of scale and their juxtaposition with the automobile.

With my intimate views of automobiles, I want the viewer to see the automobile in ways they never imagined. There is much beauty in these intimate views for me, a great opportunity to explore and discover those art qualities that I find important and fascinating.