About the Artist

Thomas A. Smith

 

Tom has been interested in aviation his whole life. His father had a career in Naval Aviation as a flight engineer on C-117s and P-3Bs. So, by default aviation was all around him. He began drawing airplanes with his brothers as children, and has never stopped.   After High School, he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force as a graphic artist. His career field took him all over the world, and for the last five years of his Air Force Career he was selected to the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds as the Art Director. This gave him many opportunities to create and also to meet artists he normally wouldn't have the chance to like Keith Ferris and James Deitz.

His artwork is created using a variety of methods and mediums. He uses computer skills he learned in the Air Force for layout and composition, utilizing software programs such as: Adobe Photoshop CS, Corel Painter IX, and Newtek Lightwave. From there, he transfers the final design to illustration board, gessoed masonite or canvas and paints the image traditionally using Alkyd Oils.

His interest in flying also inspired him to obtain his pilots license in 1998, and is currently building a Harmon Rocket.

In 2001, he retired from the Air Force and now lives in Tucson, Arizona. He has won many awards in his art career, including "Par Excellence" and "Excellence" awards at the 2003 EAA art contest, as well as "Honorable Mention" at the 2004 EAA art contest, in Oshkosh, WI.