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Thomas A. Newnam was born in Wilmington, Delaware in 1946. Many of his early childhood days were spent riding the pony he won on the popular (Philadelphia)Sally Starr show (in 1956), and generally developing a deep appreciation for the rural landscapes and rustic farms of the Delaware Valley.
As a teenager, Tom moved with his family to York, Pennsylvania where he later attended college. After serving in the U.S. Air Force, and then getting married, Tom entered the field of social work in 1970. For a period of fifteen years, he worked as a special education teacher, a juvenile probation officer, and a psychotherapist.
Mr. Newnam has also been a partitioner of Shotokan Karate for over fifteen years, having earned the rank of 3rd Degree Black Belt. He believes that physical self-defense is only a minor part of karate. Personal growth in the areas of psychological, emotional and spiritual development make up the larger part of a total philosophy. Karate has helped Tom maintain a sense of inner balance and harmony relevant to all aspects of daily living, including painting.
Tom is a self-taught watercolorist. He started painting as a hobby in 1975, and gradually shaped it into a full-time occupation. Gradually, individuals, galleries and corporations began showing an interest in buying and promoting Tom's work. He had several one man shows, and won various awards and competitions. For most of Tom's artistic career, he has enjoyed the privilege of having steady commission work from large corporations.
Mr. Newnam tends to paint in a bold and somewhat loose style, leaning toward realism, with a strong emphasis on light and shadow. His subject matter is quite diverse and typically includes marine scenes, rural land and snowscapes, flowers, horses, and still life. Tom's paintings are often described in terms of their peaceful atmosphere and depth of feeling. His studio is in York, pa. where he resides with his family.
Hardcastle Gallery, 5714 Kennett Pike, Centreville, DE 19807 , USA