Tom Perkinson Figurative Paintings

TOM PERKINSON "BUTTERFLY" MIXED MEDIA, SIGNED AMERICAN, DATED 1974 21.5 X 21 INCHES Tom Perkinson was born in Indianapolis, Indiana. He was raised in the country, and developed ...

"Lone [American] Indian," an original acrylic and mixed media on board by Tom Perkinson, is a piece for the true collector. His use of saturated violets, vivid yellows, and resplende...

"The Shepherd," an original acrylic painting on board by Tom Perkinson, is a piece for the true collector. His use of saturated violets, vivid yellows, and resplendent oranges pushes color to almost-otherworldly realms. The viewer is invited to step into the painting to explore the scene within and imagine gazing at an easel of a plein-air painter with the blue sky and terrain in full view. Here, Perkinson chose to depict the beauty of a passing river with a shepherd and flock of sheep in the middle ground just beyond. Lush vegetation and a pastel-filled mountainscape sets the foundation for the work. Perkinson describes his style of painting as "Romantic Realism," a technique that incorporates two iconic art movements. This style, in combination with the imagination of the artist, produces remarkable results, showcasing Perkinson's keen ability to capture emotion, nature, and life - all in a brushstroke. Both his technical talent and choice of subject matter pair perfectly with its carved, custom, antique-finish, gilt frame. This masterful work would make a great addition to an art collection and enhance most any home, perfect for those who have an affinity for landscapes, impressionism, romanticism, realism, plein-air painting, and nature. In the artist’s own words: “My color combinations aren’t in the realm of the natural world, because I don’t paint reality; I’m a painter of fiction. I try to paint a sense of place, as though this scene really does exist. I have had my collectors ask me where this scene is, and I just have to point to my head and say I made it up. Thus, I think of my work as romantic realism. I’m painting a certain reality that I’ve invented, inspired by the fascinatingly rich Southwestern landscape.” “Color gets all the credit, but it’s the values that do all the work. I don’t begin with sketches, because I want to be free to follow the painting in any direction. I start with washes of different values and tints. Then, I begin to look for a landscape. Several directions will appear to me at this time, and then I have to decide on one of them. During these first few moments, I must establish my distance from the scene. Am I a mile away or just across the river? This is one of the first steps, and I have to decide before I can continue. It’s important for working out the perspective and how things are going to relate to one another in the picture. Then, as the landscape evolves, I look for more images to add to the composition.” Artist: TOM PERKINSON (1940-) Title: THE SHEPHERD Medium & Surface: ORIGINAL ACRYLIC PAINTING ON BOARD (framed) Signed: HAND SIGNED AND DATED BY ARTIST LOWER RIGHT Year Created: 1982 Country of Creation: UNITED STATES Image Area Dimensions: 13 x 30 INCHES Frame Dimensions:* 17.5 x 34.5 x 1 INCHES *This work of art is being sold framed. If you would like to change the frame to better match your style or environment, please contact us for Custom Archival Framing options. Additional Info: HIGHLY COLLECTIBLE WORK BY TOM PERKINSON IN GREAT CONDITION IN A CARVED CUSTOM ANTIQUE-FINISH GILT FRAME. FRAME IS IN GREAT CONDITION CONSISTENT WITH AGE AND STYLE. About the Artist: Tom Perkinson, born in Indiana in 1940, has become distinguished as a regional painter, known for his work grounded in the visually dramatic landscape of the Southwest. As a child, Perkinson discovered he had a love for the natural landscape, and a talent for art. He fostered that talent through classes at the John Herron Institute of Art in Indianapolis, and then at the Chicago Art Academy upon graduating from high school. He received a degree in art from Oklahoma Baptist University in 1964, before moving on to graduate school at the University of New Mexico. Here, among noted works of a larger scale, he continued to paint the landscape, and it was this work that began to reflect a new fascination with the Southwest. He had found what would become an infinite source of inspiration. Influenced by early painters of the southern Indiana landscape...