Skip to main content

Terry Thompson Art

American, b. 1963
For nearly twenty years, Thompson has focused primarily on painting old neon signs that have somehow avoided the wrecking ball - the signs that have lived and beat the odds.  These sculptural signs exist as historically and emotionally charged metaphors for the unrelenting passage of time.  In his paintings, Thompson seeks to to reveal the hidden beauty of these banal, rusty relics, by rendering them in paint.   Thompson finds his subjects while exploring the forgotten back streets of cities across the United States.  This act of discovery coupled with being in the physical presence of these signs, is crucial to his process.  Thompson is searching for the diamonds in the discarded materials of our heavily commercial culture - the hidden beauty in the mundane and often-overlooked.   Thompson is fascinated by packaging typography and graphics and has done a series of vintage food product paintings depicting TV dinners, soda and soup cans, cereal boxes, and candy wrappers.  The oversized and playful paintings of these products take the mundane and re-packages it for our contemporary eyes - objects that were used and thrown away take on a new power to evoke emotion and memory.    Thompson delves deep into the brilliant design aesthetic of the objects.  From a time before the current mass media advertising bombardment of the devices we all carry in our pockets, these iconic signs and packages were an essential forms of advertising - if the sign caught your eye, you’d remember it.  Instead of repetition as is the case now, designers had perhaps only one shot to make that statement.   Text is a common thread uniting both the sign and packaging paintings as is Thompson’s interest in capturing what is often considered purely functional and utilitarian by one era yet comes to mean more in the ensuing years.  These signs or product packages represent so much more with the passage of time - our youth and the ever present nostalgia for the perceived “simpler times” of the past.   Terry Thompson was born in 1963 in Mountain View, CA.  His initial studies were in industrial technology and he worked as an equipment engineer for various tech companies in Silicon Valley.  While the work was interesting to Thompson, he could not get away from painting and went on to receive his BA and MFA from San Jose State University (CA).  Thompson has exhibited throughout the West Coast and his work can be found in private collections throughout the world and in the permanent collections of The San Jose Museum of Art, The Nevada Museum of Art, The California Museum -Sacramento, The de Saisset Museum of Art - Santa Clara University, and The Fort Wayne Museum of Art.  Terry Thompson lives and works in San Francisco.
to
19
19
16
3
Swanson Crush on Rooti
Swanson Crush on Rooti

Swanson Crush on Rooti

By Terry Thompson

Located in Burlingame, CA

'Swanson Crush on Rooti', oil on canvas, 40 x 60 inches, proudly presented by Andra Norris Gallery in California. Terry Thompson looks for beauty in the often overlooked, painting in...

Category

2010s Realist Terry Thompson Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

El Tavern (Vacancy IV)
El Tavern (Vacancy IV)

El Tavern (Vacancy IV)

By Terry Thompson

Located in Burlingame, CA

'El Tavern (Vacancy IV)', oil on canvas, unframed and 40 x 60 inches. Terry Thompson looks for beauty in the often overlooked, painting in a photorealistic style various "Pop" cultur...

Category

Early 2000s Realist Terry Thompson Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Cap'n Crunch Pop
Cap'n Crunch Pop

Cap'n Crunch Pop

By Terry Thompson

Located in Burlingame, CA

'Cap'n Crunch Pop', oil on canvas, 40 x 60 inches, proudly presented by Andra Norris Gallery in California. Terry Thompson looks for beauty in the often overlooked, painting in a pho...

Category

2010s Realist Terry Thompson Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

TV Dinner, Fried Chicken
TV Dinner, Fried Chicken

TV Dinner, Fried Chicken

By Terry Thompson

Located in Fairfield, CT

Represented by George Billis Gallery, Los Angeles -- Artist Statement Nothing But Neon, 2021 I see beauty in old neon signs. I have always been fascinated by the glow inside the h...

Category

2010s Photorealist Terry Thompson Art

Materials

Oil, Panel

Hollywood Premiere

Hollywood Premiere

By Terry Thompson

Located in Fairfield, CT

Artist Statement Nothing But Neon, 2021 I see beauty in old neon signs. I have always been fascinated by the glow inside the hand-bent, glass tubes. I enjoy the sculptural, mechan...

Category

2010s Photorealist Terry Thompson Art

Materials

Oil, Canvas

Billiards
Billiards

Billiards

By Terry Thompson

Located in Burlingame, CA

'Billiards', oil on canvas, unframed and 30 x 48 inches. Terry Thompson looks for beauty in the often overlooked, painting in a photorealistic style various "Pop" culture products th...

Category

Early 2000s Realist Terry Thompson Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Pinkie's Pizza
Pinkie's Pizza

Pinkie's Pizza

By Terry Thompson

Located in Burlingame, CA

'Pinkie's Pizza', oil on panel, 30 x 40 inches, proudly presented by Andra Norris Gallery in California. Terry Thompson looks for beauty in the often overlooked, painting in a photor...

Category

2010s Realist Terry Thompson Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Chinatown II
Chinatown II

Chinatown II

By Terry Thompson

Located in Burlingame, CA

'Chinatown II', oil on canvas, unframed and 48 x 30 inches. Terry Thompson looks for beauty in the often overlooked, painting in a photorealistic style various "Pop" culture products...

Category

Early 2000s Realist Terry Thompson Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

TV Dinner - Ham

TV Dinner - Ham

By Terry Thompson

Located in Fairfield, CT

Represented by George Billis Gallery, Los Angeles -- Artist Statement Nothing But Neon, 2021 I see beauty in old neon signs. I have always been fascinated by the glow inside the h...

Category

2010s Photorealist Terry Thompson Art

Materials

Oil, Panel

Reno Circus Circus
Reno Circus Circus

Reno Circus Circus

By Terry Thompson

Located in Fairfield, CT

For nearly twenty years, Thompson has focused primarily on painting old neon signs that have somehow avoided the wrecking ball - the signs that have live...

Category

2010s Photorealist Terry Thompson Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Liquor Deli
Liquor Deli

Liquor Deli

By Terry Thompson

Located in Fairfield, CT

For nearly twenty years, Thompson has focused primarily on painting old neon signs that have somehow avoided the wrecking ball - the signs that have live...

Category

2010s Photorealist Terry Thompson Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

T-Bird Motel

T-Bird Motel

By Terry Thompson

Located in Fairfield, CT

Artist Statement Nothing But Neon, 2021 I see beauty in old neon signs. I have always been fascinated by the glow inside the hand-bent, glass tubes. I enjo...

Category

2010s Photorealist Terry Thompson Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Garden of Eden

Garden of Eden

By Terry Thompson

Located in Fairfield, CT

Thompson's oil paintings of neon signage explore his appreciation for how these hand-made signs are built. This may be a result of the many years he spent as an equipment engineer in...

Category

2010s American Realist Terry Thompson Art

Materials

Oil, Canvas

Rio

Rio

By Terry Thompson

Located in Fairfield, CT

Artist Statement Nothing But Neon, 2021 I see beauty in old neon signs. I have always been fascinated by the glow inside the hand-bent, glass tubes. I enjoy the sculptural, mechan...

Category

2010s Photorealist Terry Thompson Art

Materials

Oil, Canvas

Tropicana Motor Hotel

Tropicana Motor Hotel

By Terry Thompson

Located in Fairfield, CT

Artist Statement Nothing But Neon, 2021 I see beauty in old neon signs. I have always been fascinated by the glow inside the hand-bent, glass tubes. I enjoy the sculptural, mechan...

Category

2010s Photorealist Terry Thompson Art

Materials

Oil, Canvas

Aladdin
Aladdin

Aladdin

By Terry Thompson

Located in Fairfield, CT

Artist Statement Nothing But Neon, 2021 I see beauty in old neon signs. I have always been fascinated by the glow inside the hand-bent, glass tubes. I enjoy the sculptural, mechan...

Category

2010s Photorealist Terry Thompson Art

Materials

Oil, Canvas

Hot Cake House
Hot Cake House

Hot Cake House

By Terry Thompson

Located in Fairfield, CT

For nearly twenty years, Thompson has focused primarily on painting old neon signs that have somehow avoided the wrecking ball - the signs that have live...

Category

2010s Photorealist Terry Thompson Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Orpheum
Orpheum

Orpheum

By Terry Thompson

Located in Fairfield, CT

For nearly twenty years, Thompson has focused primarily on painting old neon signs that have somehow avoided the wrecking ball - the signs that have live...

Category

2010s Photorealist Terry Thompson Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Oakland Burgers & Pies
Oakland Burgers & Pies

Oakland Burgers & Pies

By Terry Thompson

Located in Fairfield, CT

For nearly twenty years, Thompson has focused primarily on painting old neon signs that have somehow avoided the wrecking ball - the signs that have live...

Category

2010s Photorealist Terry Thompson Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Related Items
Still Life with Grapes, Realist Oil on Canvas, Framed, Circa 1880
Still Life with Grapes, Realist Oil on Canvas, Framed, Circa 1880

Still Life with Grapes, Realist Oil on Canvas, Framed, Circa 1880

By Morston Constantine Ream

Located in Philadelphia, PA

Morston Constantine Ream (American, 1840-1898) Grapes Oil on canvas, 10 x 12 inches Framed: 22 x 24 inches (approx.) Signed at lower right: “Morston Ream” The still-life painter Mor...

Category

1880s Realist Terry Thompson Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Basket Of Red Cherries Still-Life Oil Painting With Gilt Frame
Basket Of Red Cherries Still-Life Oil Painting With Gilt Frame

Basket Of Red Cherries Still-Life Oil Painting With Gilt Frame

Located in Frederiksberg C, DK

This still life painting depicts a woven basket brimming with ripe cherries, delicately arranged on a tabletop against a subdued background. The cherries are rendered with a sheen, t...

Category

Late 19th Century Realist Terry Thompson Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Still Life with Decanter by Philadelphia Artist Larry Day, 1962
Still Life with Decanter by Philadelphia Artist Larry Day, 1962

Still Life with Decanter by Philadelphia Artist Larry Day, 1962

Located in Philadelphia, PA

Larry Day (American, 1921-1998) Still Life with Decanter Oil on canvas, 33 3/4 x 41 3/ 4 inches FRAMED: 41 x 49 inches (approx.) Signed at lower right: “Day” Exhibition label on str...

Category

1960s Realist Terry Thompson Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

French Contemporary Art by Claudine Picard - Kaki
French Contemporary Art by Claudine Picard - Kaki

French Contemporary Art by Claudine Picard - Kaki

By Claudine Picard

Located in Paris, IDF

Claudine Picard is a French artist born in 1949 who lives & works in Sainte Marie, France. She is graduated from the Ecole Nationale des Arts Décoratifs in 1973 (ENSAD).

Category

2010s Realist Terry Thompson Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

The Walk - Contemporary Figurative Oil Painting, Sea, Beach View, Realism, Woman
The Walk - Contemporary Figurative Oil Painting, Sea, Beach View, Realism, Woman

The Walk - Contemporary Figurative Oil Painting, Sea, Beach View, Realism, Woman

By Julita Malinowska

Located in Salzburg, AT

Artodyssey "Julita Malinowska's paintings belong to those, which once seen - are never forgotten. The open spaces, sometimes cool and bright, at other times heavily saturated with co...

Category

2010s Photorealist Terry Thompson Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Lullaby Original Oil on Canvas Seascape, Contemporary Realism painting
Lullaby Original Oil on Canvas Seascape, Contemporary Realism painting

Lullaby Original Oil on Canvas Seascape, Contemporary Realism painting

Located in London, Chelsea

We offer complimentary worldwide shipping and cover all tariffs and import taxes for this artwork. This exceptional artwork is currently on display and available for sale at Signet C...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Terry Thompson Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Panier de Peches
Panier de Peches

Panier de Peches

By Alfred Arthur Brunel De Neuville

Located in Austin, TX

Alfred Arthur Brunel de Neuville, French (1879 - 1907) "Panier de Peches" Oil on canvas. Signed lower right side.

Category

Early 20th Century Realist Terry Thompson Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Rose of Sharon, super realism, colorful, flowers, food, still life

Rose of Sharon, super realism, colorful, flowers, food, still life

By Douglas Newton

Located in Brooklyn, NY

Doug Newton’s hyper-real oil paintings observe reality, explore translucency, reflections and luminosity, and dazzle the viewer with all the ways light can transform our perceptions....

Category

2010s Photorealist Terry Thompson Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Chinese Desserts - Photorealist Fruit Tart Grapes Cupcake Colorful Oil Painting
Chinese Desserts - Photorealist Fruit Tart Grapes Cupcake Colorful Oil Painting

Chinese Desserts - Photorealist Fruit Tart Grapes Cupcake Colorful Oil Painting

By Stuart Dunkel

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Stuart Dunkel has spent decades refining his hyper-realistic oil paintings. He paints realistic imagery based on real-world inspirations. His original artworks show that everyday obj...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Terry Thompson Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

French Contemporary Art by Claudine Picard - Poires
French Contemporary Art by Claudine Picard - Poires

French Contemporary Art by Claudine Picard - Poires

By Claudine Picard

Located in Paris, IDF

Claudine Picard is a French artist born in 1949 who lives & works in Sainte Marie, France. She is graduated from the Ecole Nationale des Arts Décoratifs in 1973 (ENSAD).

Category

2010s Realist Terry Thompson Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Brown Trout -Late 19th Century Scottish Still Life. Naturalist Oil Painting
Brown Trout -Late 19th Century Scottish Still Life. Naturalist Oil Painting

Brown Trout -Late 19th Century Scottish Still Life. Naturalist Oil Painting

Located in Marco Island, FL

A finely executed late 19th-century still life by John Bucknell Russell (1823-1919) of two brown trout in the foreground, along with a beautiful landscape. Fine example of a period fish still life, popular in Scotland during this period. It is presented in a gilt frame. Unsigned canvas...

Category

Late 19th Century Realist Terry Thompson Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

"Locked, " Oil Painting
"Locked, " Oil Painting

Karen Offutt"Locked, " Oil Painting, 2021

$1,120Sale Price|20% Off

H 8 in W 8 in

"Locked, " Oil Painting

By Karen Offutt

Located in Denver, CO

Karen Offutt's "Locked" is an original, handmade painting that depicts a close up view of a feminine face at three quarters view, her brown hair frames her porcelain face. About th...

Category

2010s Photorealist Terry Thompson Art

Materials

Oil, Canvas

Previously Available Items
Pride
Pride

Pride

By Terry Thompson

Located in Burlingame, CA

'Pride Cleaners', oil on canvas, 40 x 60 inches, is proudly presented by Andra Norris Gallery in California. Terry Thompson looks for beauty in the often overlooked, painting in a ph...

Category

2010s Realist Terry Thompson Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Sky Ranch
Sky Ranch

Sky Ranch

By Terry Thompson

Located in Burlingame, CA

'Sky Ranch', oil on canvas, 40 x 60 inches, proudly presented by Andra Norris Gallery in California. Terry Thompson looks for beauty in the often overlooked, painting in a photoreali...

Category

2010s Realist Terry Thompson Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Sacto Bowl
Sacto Bowl

Sacto Bowl

By Terry Thompson

Located in Fairfield, CT

For nearly twenty years, Thompson has focused primarily on painting old neon signs that have somehow avoided the wrecking ball - the signs that have lived and beat the odds. These s...

Category

2010s Photorealist Terry Thompson Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Half Moon Motel
Half Moon Motel

Half Moon Motel

By Terry Thompson

Located in Fairfield, CT

Represented by George Billis Gallery, NY & LA -- In Thompson's oil paintings of neon signage, he renders wires, rivets and other minutia because of his appreciation for how these...

Category

2010s American Realist Terry Thompson Art

Materials

Oil, Panel

Terry Thompson art for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a wide variety of authentic Terry Thompson art available for sale on 1stDibs. If you’re browsing the collection of art to introduce a pop of color in a neutral corner of your living room or bedroom, you can find work that includes elements of blue, pink and other colors. You can also browse by medium to find art by Terry Thompson in oil paint, paint, canvas and more. Much of the original work by this artist or collective was created during the 21st century and contemporary and is mostly associated with the Photorealist style. Not every interior allows for large Terry Thompson art, so small editions measuring 24 inches across are available. Customers who are interested in this artist might also find the work of Charles Ford, Gustavo Schmidt, and Mark Schiff. Terry Thompson art prices can differ depending upon medium, time period and other attributes. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $6,000 and tops out at $10,856, while the average work can sell for $7,800.

Artists Similar to Terry Thompson