Swan Song by Thomas Blackshear

Thomas Blackshear Art Gallery

Gallery updated on Wednesday, June 17, 2026

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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

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