Thomas Blackshear's Biography
Artist Thomas Blackshear II was born in Waco, Texas, and grew up in Atlanta, Georgia. "Drawing was all I ever liked to do," says Blackshear. Thomas Blackshear pursued an interest in art throughout high school, securing a scholarship to the Institute of Art in Chicago. After a year there, he transferred to the nearby Academy of Art. While finishing his college education, he was recruited by Hallmark Cards. Later, Mr. Blackshear became the apprentice of illustrator, Mark English.
After the disappointment of working on an uncompleted book project, Blackshear settled in Kansas and became the head illustrator for Godbold/Richter Studio. A year later, he began a freelance career, illustrating two U.S. Postal Service stamp collections and several series featuring scenes from Star Wars, Star Trek, and The Wizard of Oz. Although Blackshear was successful, he was unsatisfied and pursued a career in fine art.
Thomas Blackshear and his wife, Ami, now live in Colorado. His highly awarded work appeared in the Society of Illustrators Annuals and Outstanding American Illustrators Today, Volume Two.
Thomas Blackshear was profiled on the premier episode of The Living Canvas. He has been featured on the Ebony/Jet Showcase, The 700 Club, and in The Saturday Evening Post. An exhibit of nineteen of his original works for the Black Heritage stamp series premiered in 1992 at the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of American History and toured the United States.
After the disappointment of working on an uncompleted book project, Blackshear settled in Kansas and became the head illustrator for Godbold/Richter Studio. A year later, he began a freelance career, illustrating two U.S. Postal Service stamp collections and several series featuring scenes from Star Wars, Star Trek, and The Wizard of Oz. Although Blackshear was successful, he was unsatisfied and pursued a career in fine art.
Thomas Blackshear and his wife, Ami, now live in Colorado. His highly awarded work appeared in the Society of Illustrators Annuals and Outstanding American Illustrators Today, Volume Two.
Thomas Blackshear was profiled on the premier episode of The Living Canvas. He has been featured on the Ebony/Jet Showcase, The 700 Club, and in The Saturday Evening Post. An exhibit of nineteen of his original works for the Black Heritage stamp series premiered in 1992 at the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of American History and toured the United States.
