The Watcher by Thomas Blackshear

Thomas Blackshear Art Gallery

Gallery updated on Tuesday, June 9, 2026

Authorized Dealer Limited Editions Numbered Series
Thomas Blackshear portrait

THOMAS BLACKSHEAR II, the son of an Air Force captain, was born in Waco, Texas, and grew up in Atlanta, Georgia. "Drawing was all I ever liked to do," he says. "While all the other guys were playing baseball or basketball, I was in my house, drawing." He pursued an interest in art throughout high school, securing a scholarship to the Art Institute of Chicago. After a year there, he transferred to the nearby Academy of Art. While finishing his college education, he was recruited by Hallmark Cards and later became the apprentice of illustrator Mark English. <br><BR>
Blackshear settled in Kansas City, where he became head illustrator at the prestigious Godbold/Richter Studio. A year later, he began a prosperous freelance career, illustrating many advertisements, several U.S. Postal Service stamp collections - one called "Black Heritage," another on classic movies, and a third on jazz musicians - and several series of Hamilton Group collector s plates featuring scenes from Star Wars, Star Trek, and The Wizard of Oz. Although he was successful, he was dissatisfied and decided to pursue a career in fine art.<br><BR>


Blackshear has received many awards for his artwork, including the Society of Illustrators coveted Gold Medal. He was profiled on The Living Canvas, an art magazine of the airwaves that was shown on public television, and he has been featured on the Ebony/Jet Showcase and The 700 Club, and in The Saturday Evening Post. An exhibit of his original works for the Black Heritage stamp series premiered in 1992 at the Smithsonian s National Museum of American History and subsequently toured the United States.<br><BR>


Browse and enjoy the great African American Art work from one of Today's most collected African American Artists, Thomas Blackshear..

Thomas Blackshear Current Portfolio

The Watcher Watchers In The Night (canvas Edition) With Forgiven Witness Cards Beauty And The Beast Liberty Framed Print - Limited Edition Star Trek Dr. Mccoy 25th Anniversary Plate CATCHING A BLESSING BOY HAND SIGNED ARTIST PROOF Star Trek Scotty 25th Anniversary Plate Next Generation Crew - Lt. Worf Intimacy Anniversary Edition Number 2 Texas Chillin Lithograph Star Trek Riker - The Next Generation Angel At Rest Artist Proof Hand Signed By Thomas Blackshear Awakening Beauty And The Beast Star Trek Hikaru Sulu 25th Anniversary Plate The Vessel Beauty And The Beast - Unframed Print Waggletag CATCHING A BLESSING GIRL HAND SIGNED ARTIST PROOF Forgiven 1988 Wizard Of Oz The Great And Powerful Oz The Sound Of Victory Super Bowl XXXVII Commemorative Poster Catching A Blessing Artist Proof (set of 2) 1988 Wizard Of Oz Golden Breeze Framed Anniversary Edition Little Pilot Adorable Boy And Girl Artist Proof Hand Signed By Thomas Blackshear Star Trek Mr. Spock 25th Anniversary Plate Star Trek Captain Kirk 25th Anniversary Plate Liberty Poster Print 1988 Wizard Of Oz We're Off To See The Wizard Star Wars Series - Luke And Darth Vader Magnificent Mare Now What? Lithograph Rustic Decorative Stand James Cagney Star Wars Series - R2d2 And Wicket Next Generation Crew - Geordi Laforge For You Pinkie Poo Innocent Wonders Artist Signed 1988 Wizard Of Oz Dorothy Meets The Scarecrow Black Heritage Jean Baptiste Set Next Generation Crew - Dr. Crusher TWINKY WINK CLOWN Preparing to Sound the Alarm Lithograph Golden Breeze Anniversary Edition Intimacy (serigraph) Original Release Star Trek Collector Plate 25th Anniversary Next Generation Crew - Data Ready For Battle Indian Paint Brush Intimacy (serigraph) Unframed Original Release Artist Proof Wizard Of Oz - A Glimpse Of The Munchkins Dinky Toot Innocent Wonders Beauty And The Beast Swan Song Du Sable-Commemorative Pane Zip Doodle Innocent Wonders Little Pilot Adorable Girl Hand Signed Artist Proof Liberty Print Only - Limited Edition Next Generation Crew - Counselor Troi Star Trek Lt. Uhura 25th Anniversary Plate Star Trek Picard - The Next Generation Night In Day - Unframed Print Artist Proof 1988 Wizard Of Oz If I Were King Of The Forest Classic Movie Monsters Angel At Rest Little Pilot Adorable Boy Hand Signed Artist Proof