CONTACT INFO:
Address: PO Box 95
East Aurora, New York 14052
Phone: 716-655-4271
E-mail: thomaskegler@thomaskegler.com
Website: www.thomaskegler.com
Artists Statement
Poetry of Place
Through my work, I strive to bring an awareness and respect for God’s creations and their temporal qualities. They provide an infinite supply of beauty and inspiration. I paint traditionally - mirroring a time when academic training and processes were embraced and nurtured. This approach has given me the skills and knowledge to express myself through hand, head and heart.
I wanted to be a painter from the time I could first hold a brush. Many of my earliest memories are of exploring at the kitchen table with my siblings using paper, cardboard, crayons, scissors and glue. Today, using oil paints, my visions and emotions are given a voice through the infinite variations of color notes. Experiences are what I am called to paint… the materials, technique and subject are the vehicle.
Painting is a humbling experience… often the more you learn and grow, the more challenging it becomes. The many hours and days spent interacting with my subjects have opened my eyes to subtleties such as intricate color and value shifts, and beauty in the overlooked. Something new is revealed each time I visit the canvas. I paint daily - it is as necessary to my life as breathing.
Nature itself has been the most humbling instructor. I am awestruck at the visual inspirations that emerge around me in the outdoors. The sounds, smells, and tactile qualities that I experience while in field cannot help but be infused in the work. I strive to impart a universal quality that makes the viewer feel he has been there and can relate to the image.
Whether in the field or the studio, painting is integral to my life… a product of my faith and experiences.
"With Humility comes Wisdom” - Proverbs 11:2
Biography
b. 1970
“There’s as much beauty in a dead tree as in a live one.” Thomas Kegler’s
observation, shared in a Drawing cover story, embodies the confident humility
that has influenced his growing volume of work, considered to be among the
most influential of our time.
An internationally recognized artist, Thomas is a self-taught realist painter
and accomplished educational film producer. He is also a renowned art
educator and champion of future artists, young and old. The wilds of New
York State and a close-knit family of designers and entrepreneurs shaped
his early love of art and the outdoors. Fly fishing and guiding in Alaska’s
backcountry cemented his pursuit of a life path illuminated by sunlight
more often than lamplight.
His work draws on the Masters’ approach to canvas, plein air techniques,
and a deep Catholic faith. Each piece celebrates creation’s grandeur and
mystery through careful attention to often-overlooked subtleties.
Thomas is recognized as a Living Master by the Art Renewal Center; a Master Roycroft Artisan; Signature Artist of the American Tonalist Society; member of the NYC Salmagundi Club; and Senior Fellow with the Hudson River Fellowship. His work is showcased in galleries,collections, and publications worldwide, including Plein Air Magazine, Western Art & Architecture Magazine, and the American Arts Quarterly. He lives in Western New York with his children.
PRESS
• American Arts Quarterly: Cover Artwork and Featured in Article - Winter 2016
• Plein Air Magazine: Featured an article "Painting Directly from Nature" - Dec/Jan 2015
• Drawing Magazine: Featured on the cover and an 8 page article "Understanding the Anatomy of the Landscape" - Winter 2013
• American Art Collector Magazine: Featured in Article "Nature Morte: Collecting Still Life" - January 2013
• American Painting Video Magazine: Featured "Painting En Plein Air: Resolving the Landscape with Thomas Kegler" video review - Fall 2012
• American Arts Quarterly: Featured in Article - Summer 2011
• Plein Air Magazine: Featured in article "The Hudson River Fellowship: Landscape Painting in the 19th Century Tradition" - Fall 2011
• American Art Collector Magazine: Feature Article "Revealing the Natural World" - June 2011
• American Art Collector Magazine: Feature Article "Pursuit of Beauty" - November 2010
• American Painting Video Magazine Feature Interview - Fall 2010
• Featured painting on "The Line" 1st episode
• Interview with Eric Rhodes - Outdoor Painter Podcast
• Video profile interview produced by One Ring Productions.
• Featured on Gurney Journey Blog
VITAE
AFFILIATIONS
• Associate Living Master - Art Renewal Center
• Signature Artist - American Tonalist Society
• Master Roycroft Artisan – East Aurora, New York
• Member of the Salmagundi Club, New York City
• Painting Instructor for the Grand Central Academy in New York City
• Senior Fellow, Hudson River Fellowship
• Member of the Buffalo Art Club, Buffalo, New York
• Member of the Oil Painters of America
EXHIBITIONS/EVENTS/HONORS
2022
• 41st Annual Buffalo Bill Art Show & Sale - Center of the West in Cody, WY
2021
• 15th International Art Renewal Center Salon
• Annual Competition - Honorable Mention - included in traveling exhibition in NYC and Barcelona Spain
• 40th Annual Buffalo Bill Art Show & Sale - Center of the West in Cody, WY
2020
• Exhibition: “Luminous Landscapes” Weeks Gallery, Jamestown, NY
• Solo Exhibition: “Poetic Presence ” Meibohm Fine Art, East Aurora, NY
2019
• 14th International Art Renewal Center Salon
Annual Competition - Finalist
• “Shades of Gray” Inaugural Exhibition fo the American Tonalist Society
• “Metamorphosis” Exhibit
Oxford Gallery, Rochester, NY
• “Dusk to Dawn” Exhibition
Meibohm Fine Art, East Aurora, NY
• “In a Nutshell” Exhibition
Meibohm Fine Art, East Aurora, NY
2018
• American Masters Exhibition & Sale
Salmagundi Club, New York City, NY
• 13th International Art Renewal Center Salon
Annual Competition - Finalist
• "The Eye of the Beholder" Landscape Exhibition
Trees Place, Orleans, MA
• “Ode to Joy” Exhibit
Oxford Gallery, Rochester, NY
2017
• "James Ford Commitment to Education Award"
East Aurora Educational Association, East Aurora, NY
• "CAM Legacy Award"
Castellani Art Museum, Niagara Falls, NY
• "Artists' Choice Award" - American Masters Exhibition & Sale
Salmagundi Club, New York City, NY
• 12th International Art Renewal Center Salon
Annual Competition - Finalist
• Two original oil paintings featured as wall props in the season premiere of
CBS' television series "Madam Secretary"
• "Thomas Kegler: Painting Niagara" Museum Exhibition
Castellani Art Museum, Niagara Falls, NY
• Plein Air Convention Faculty
San Diego, California
• Released Instructional Documentary "Painting Niagara"
• “Small Works Show” Exhibition
Trees Place, Orleans, MA
2016
• American Masters Exhibition & Sale
Salmagundi Club, New York City, NY
• International Art Renewal Center Salon Exhibition
MEAM in Barcelona Spain & Salmagundi Club in NYC
• Landscape Exhibit
Oxford Gallery, Rochester, NY
• 11th International Art Renewal Center Salon
Annual Competition - Honorable Mention
• Members Landscape Exhibition
Salmagundi Club, New York, NY
• "Staff Picks" Exhibit
John Pence, San Francisco, CA
• Landscape Exhibit
John Pence, San Francisco, CA
• Landscape Exhibition
Trees Place, Orleans, MA
EXHIBITIONS/EVENTS/HONORS
2015
• American Masters Exhibition & Sale 2015
Salmagundi Club, New York City, NY
• International Art Renewal Center Salon Exhibition
MEAM in Barcelona Spain & Salmagundi Club in NYC
• Annual Members Exhibit & Sale - Philip Isenberg Memorial Award
Salmagundi Club, New York City, NY
• Solo Exhibition: "Interludes of Light"
Meibohm Fine Art, East Aurora, NY
• Group Exhibition: "Still Life & Florals"
John Pence Gallery, San Francisco, CA
• "MANmade Art: A Cross-Generational Survey"
Kenan Center, Lockport, NY
• Group Exhibition: "The Condition of Music"
Oxford Gallery: Rochester, NY
• "Landscapes Across America"
Trees Place Gallery, Orleans, MA
• Group Landscape Exhibition
Grand Central Atelier & Eleventh Street Arts New York, NY
• Art Renewal Center Salon 2015 Finalist
Honorable Mention in Landscape
2014
• American Masters Exhibition & Sale 2014
Salmagundi Club, New York City, NY
• Artist Residency Recipient
La Napoule Art Foundation & Grand Central Atelier Chateau de La Napoule, France
• Group Exhibition: "A Moveable Feast"
John Pence Gallery, San Francisco, CA
• Group Exhibition: Trout Unlimited
Burchfield Penny Art Center Buffalo, NY
• Art Renewal Center Salon 2014 Finalist
• Group Exhibition: "Proverbs and Commonplace"
Oxford Gallery: Rochester, NY
• Instructor/ Senior Fellow - Grand Central Atelier/Hudson River Fellowship with Jacob Collins
Taught Summer Intensive Landscape - Workshop: Jackson, NH - Senior Fellow - group presentations
2013
• PleinAir Salon
Best Nocturne
• Designated as Associate Living Master through the Art Renewal Center
Art Renewal Center Salon 2013 Finalist
Honorable Mention in Landscape
Honorable Mention in Still Life
• Still Life Group Show
John Pence Gallery, San Francisco, CA
• Salon International 2013 Juried Exhibition
Greenhouse Gallery of Fine Art
San Antonio, Texas
• Oil Painters of America: Juried Salon 2013
Instructor/ Senior Fellow - Grand Central Atelier/Hudson River Fellowship with Jacob Collins
- Taught Summer Intensive Landscape Workshop: Jackson, NH
- Senior Fellow - group presentations
2012
Oil Painters of America: National Online Showcase -
• Third Place Winner - Fall
Still Life Group Show
• John Pence Gallery, San Francisco, CA
Gallery Artists Group Show
John Pence Gallery, San Francisco, CA
• Art Renewal Center Salon 2012 Finalist
• Group Exhibition: "Well Crafted"
Burchieled Penny Art Center
Buffalo, NY
• Salon International 2012 Juried Exhibition
Honorable Mention
Greenhouse Gallery of Fine Art
San Antonio, Texas
• Group Exhibition: Mill Road Scenic Overlook
Meibohm Fine Art Gallery: East Aurora, NY
• Instructor/ Senior Fellow - Grand Central Atelier/Hudson River Fellowship with Jacob Collins
- Taught Summer Intensive Landscape Workshop: Jackson, NH
- Senior Fellow - group presentations
2011
• Solo Show - John Pence Gallery, San Francisco, CA
• "Magestic Landscapes" Group Show
John Pence Gallery, San Francisco, CA
• "Trompe L'oeil" Group Show
John Pence Gallery, San Francisco, CA
• "Recent Arrivals" Show
John Pence Gallery, San Francisco, CA
• Two Person Show - Oxford Gallery: Rochester, New York
• "Traditions" Group Exhibition
Oxford Gallery: Rochester, New York
• "Size Matters" Show
John Pence Gallery, San Francisco, CA
Instructor/ Senior Fellow - Grand Central Atelier/Hudson River Fellowship with Jacob Collins
- Taught Summer Intensive Landscape Workshop: Catskill Mountains Hunter, NY
- Senior Fellow - group presentations
2010
• Solo exhibition of recent paintings
Meibohm Fine Art Gallery: East Aurora, NY
• Oil Painters of America Juried National Show
Legacy Gallery: Scottsdale, Arizona
• Hudson River Fellowship with Jacob Collins - Senior Fellow in Summer Intensive Workshop:
The Institute for Classical Architecture and Classical America: Hunter, NY
• Landscape Group Show Cavalier Galleries: Greenwich, Connecticut
• Juried Group Exhibition
Art Dialogue Gallery: Buffalo, NY
• Juried "Thumb Box" Group Exhibition
Buffalo Society of Artists: Tonawanda, NY
• "Let There be Light" Group Exhibition
Oxford Gallery: Rochester, NY
• Solo exhibition of recent paintings
Meibohm Fine Art Gallery - East Aurora, NY
2009
• Small Works Group Show
Cavalier Galleries, Greenwich, CT
• Boston International Art Show
Represented by Arcadia Gallery, New York, NY
• Hudson River Revival: Contemporary Landscape Painting Group Show
Springville Museum of Art - Utah
• Juried National Exhibition:
Santa Fe, New Mexico
• Oil Painters of America
Juried Regional Exhibition:
Corse Gallery & Atelier Jacksonville, Florida
• Oil Painters of America
• Hudson River Fellowship with Jacob Collins - Senior Fellow in Summer Intensive Workshop:
The Institute for Classical Architecture and Classical America: Hunter, NY
• Three Person Exhibition
Art Dialogue Gallery: Buffalo, New York
• "Night" Group Exhibition
Oxford Gallery: Rochester, New York
2008
• Juried National Exhibition
Hudson Valley Art Association - Old Lyme, Connecticut
Recipient of the Dumond Memorial Award
• Juried National Exhibition
Missoula, Montana
Oil Painters of America
• Albright Knox Art Gallery Collector's Gallery
• Hudson River Fellowship with Jacob Collins - Senior Fellow in Summer Intensive Workshop:
The Institute for Classical Architecture and Classical America: Hunter, NY
• Two person exhibition of recent paintings
Kenan Center - Lockport, New York
• Juried members group exhibition
Western New York Artist's Group
Buffalo, New York
• Invited Group exhibition
Western New York Artist's Group
Buffalo, New York
• "Awakenings" group exhibition
Oxford Gallery
Rochester, New York
• "Collectors Gallery" joint exhibition
Albright Knox Art Gallery
Buffalo, New York
2006-7
• "Artists Among Us" group exhibition
Burchfield Penny Art Center
Buffalo, New York
• "Collectors Gallery" group exhibition
Albright Knox Art Gallery
Buffalo, New York
• Cover Art for Ani Difranco's Compilation CD "Canon"
• Solo exhibition of recent paintings
Meibohm Fine Art Gallery
East Aurora, New York
