Thom grew up in an art centered family; everyone played an instrument and sang, went to concerts and museums. His elementary school years provided arts education in drawing, painting, and art history. In high school he continued to draw and paint, but also studied architectural design. For the first two years of college his major was architecture, yet during his third year realized his passion was really in art. His artwork also began to supply a respectable income. His continued studies took him to UCLA to work on an MFA degree, under the influence of Richard Diebenkorn. Two months before graduating he was drafted; for the next three years (as an officer) he created numerous artworks and photographed for the 82nd Airborne Division. Unable to return to UCLA to complete his MFA, he earned a teaching credential. While teaching he enrolled into a MFA program at Lone Mountain College, under the mentorship of Robert Brawley. Thom continued to teach art as well as paint.
Teaching experience includes: UCLA, Methodist College, Richmond Art Center, San Francisco Art Institute, Chabot College, and high school (he preferred high school students). Gallery experience includes: Western Wildlife Galleries, Wildlife of the World Galleries, and Ohlone Arts Gallery. Exhibition history includes: UCLA, Methodist College, Richmond Art Center, San Francisco Art Institute, Ohlone College. Awards include: California State Fair, Alameda County Fair, San Mateo County Fair, North Carolina Expo and On the Green Art Show. He retired from teaching art in 2005 to devote his time and energy to painting and ministry. Typical price range for paintings: $250 – $8000 (producing about 40 original artworks a year, mostly in the acrylic medium); he does about 6 commissions a year.
Thomas Cory: born 1945 / resides in Fremont, California, with his wife, soul mate and encourager of 45 years, Sara.
Art Education:
- Masters of Fine Arts (painting) (MFA) 1977
- Bachelors of Arts (BA) 1967
- Additional degrees: Master’s and Doctorate in Theology, (ordained minister)
Galleries and Exhibits:
Studio Seven, 400 Main Street, Pleasanton, CA (www.studiosevenarts.com)
“I have a deep appreciation and love for Nature; forever a glorious blessing, always supplying ample adventure, delight, mystery and inspiration. Painting from nature is appealing because each new subject offers a new and refreshing experience. Nature’s wonders, whether discovered in an urban backyard or a breathtaking landscape, can offer a quieting and a sense of calming inner peace. My paintings, yet limited, attempt to translate and transmit what I have experienced as my “breath” in our busy world. It is said: ‘an artist does not choose his inspiration or subject, rather they choose the artist’. I believe this to be true.”
- Thomas Cory
Personal Life Motto:
“Soli Deo Gloria” (1 Corinthians 10:31)
Favorite Quotes:
“Art is not what you see, but what you compose for others to see.”
- Edgar Degas
“The artist need not know very much; best of all let him work instinctively and paint as naturally as he breathes or walks.”
- Emil Nolde