Artist Statement

I was an inquisitive child. I remember my older sister frequently asking me, "Why do you ask so many questions?" I thought there was so much to explore, so much I didn't know, so much I wanted to figure out. To me, asking questions was a logical solution. As I reflect back, I realize this inquisitiveness has been a hallmark of my artistic journey. My abstract art is created in a cause and effect, or action and reaction, process. To start a new work, I first determine the finished size. Then, without any preconceived notion, I simply select a color and make a mark on the surface, whether that surface be canvas, wood panel or paper. Looking at that mark and color, I make another mark perhaps with the same color, perhaps with a different color. Then, I step back, look and contemplate what is missing. I continue to work in this fashion. Sometimes I work very quickly making marks and selecting colors in an almost knee jerk reaction. At other times I stand back and look carefully, meditatively, wondering what the work needs next. I know a piece is finished when I'm satisfied with it and it no longer calls out for further action or reaction. It is my intention that my work be an ongoing catalyst and companion to my viewers.

Biography

Tom Hlas is an abstract painter who works primarily in acrylics. His abstract work and often times conceptual titles allow the viewer to draw their own inspiration, meaning, and enjoyment from the work rather than be influenced by the artist's own underlying thoughts and feelings present when he created the work. Born in 1954 near the small, rural town of Elberon, Iowa, where he grew up the eighth of ten siblings, Tom moved to the Washington, DC area to do postgraduate work and then later to Miami, Florida. He now resides in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Primarily a self-taught artist, Tom studied drawing and painting with Ken Conley and Laura Conley at the Montgomery Community College in Rockville, Maryland, early in his career. His diverse educational experiences, from a Bachelor degree in Vocal Music and postgraduate studies in philosophy and theology to on-the-job training in the marketing, graphic design and art reproduction world, have all colored his artistic work. The combination of elements, drawn from his unique experience and psychology, unite within each painting to yield work that has the integrity of an original. Each individual piece can stand by itself. Yet when viewed in context of the body of work, the paintings point to an evolving artistic language that is interconnected and dynamic. 
Contact Tom Hlas

To learn more about Tom, to make a studio appointment or to purchase his paintings, Click Here. 
 Facebook Users Become fan of “Tom Hlas Paintings”. Click on the Facebook banner to the left.
 All paintings on this web site are original. Copyright Thomas P. Hlas, All rights reserved. 
Links

Don Nakamura, ceramic art Linda Dubin Garfield, printmaker/mixed media/digital art
Merill Comeau, fiber/mixed media art
Jenny Carpenter, oil on wood panel art
Jeanne Williamson, mixed media art
Vermont Studio Center, residencies for visual artists and writers This site is dedicated to all sentient beings. May they be happy and free of suffering.


 http://www.tomhlas.com/html/form-contact.htmlhttp://www.donhnakamura.comhttp://www.lindadubingarfield.com/ldg/Home.htmlhttp://www.merillcomeau.com/http://www.jennycarpenter.net/home.phphttp://jeannewilliamson.com/http://www.vermontstudiocenter.org/shapeimage_1_link_0shapeimage_1_link_1shapeimage_1_link_2shapeimage_1_link_3shapeimage_1_link_4shapeimage_1_link_5shapeimage_1_link_6
Tom Hlas






 


 
 
 
Archives:
 
Small Works
 
 
Med / Large Works
 
 
Earlier Works
 
 
 
Select Exhibitions
  1. •“Juried Fine Arts 2010 Exhibition” - Jan. 2010, Mills Pond House Gallery (St. James, NY)
  2. •”Kaleidoscope: A One-Person Show” - Nov. 2009, Edge Gallery (Philadelphia, PA)
  3. •“18th National Juried Show”, Art Center of Northern New Jersey (New Milford, NJ)
  4. •“Images 2009” Robeson Gallery, The State University of Pennsylvania (State College, PA)
  5. •“Invitational Salon of Small Works 2009”, New Art Program (Kutztown, PA)
  6. •"Fusions of Color" - Feb. 2009, Edge Gallery, (Philadelphia, PA)
  7. •“Invitational Salon of Small Works 2008”, New Art Program (Kutztown, PA)
  8. •“Images 2008” Robeson Gallery, The State University of Pennsylvania (State College, PA)
  9. •“Art of the State 2008” State Museum of Pennsylvania(Harrisburg, PA)
  10. •“Art of the State 2007” State Museum of Pennsylvania (Harrisburg, PA)
  11. •Diaspora Vibe Gallery (Miami, FL)
  12. •Cronos Art Gallery (Miami, FL)
  13. •Access Gallery (Aruba)
  14. •The Grande Gallery in the Gables (Coral Gables, FL)
  15. •The Schacknow Museum of Fine Arts (Plantation, FL)
  16. •Art at the Cathedral (Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, Miami, FL)
  17. •And has paintings in private and corporate collections.