Fine Art of Thomas Wheeler

Thanks for visiting my site. I enjoy painting and drawing many natural subjects. Rivers, rocks and water have captured my attention for the past few years. I love the interplay of the water around the rocks. Looking at rivers and creeks can reveal a world of intricate and wonderful reflections, shadows, textures, light and transparent surfaces.

I'm working for realism and hoping to capture beauty in nature. I also strive to convey a strong emotional quality in my work, through color, texture and brush strokes. I want to strike the right balance between a loose economical stroke and careful rendering. Although I strive for realism, I believe a painter should allow the characteristics of the medium to come through. In realism there's a danger of robbing the painting of its spontaneity and energy.

The media I work with includes oil paint, charcoal, and pen & ink. I have been teaching drawing, along with web design courses, at the Art Institute of Portland for several years. Some of the recent drawings below are works I created as demonstrations for my students.

View Tom's Paintings

My work is on display in a show at the Second Story Gallery in Camas, WA during the month of May, 2008. The gallery is upstairs from the Camas public library. The show opens as part of the First Friday art walk in Camas, on the 7th.

You can also view my work at the Columbia River Gallery, in Troutdale Oregon (ph. 503-491-8407). Limited edition prints are available on request.

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