A local professional artist who has spent nearly two decades helping dozens of students unlock their own painting skills has landed “Best In Show” in the National Oil and Acrylic Painters Society fall exhibit/competition “Best of America 2025.” It’s the organization’s largest show of the year.
Chris Thomas, who is known for his realist style and his skill with oils—often using the technique of “trompe lo’oeil”—submitted the work “The Gathering” to take the top prize. The show featuring 136 works that were accepted by the judges is on exhibit through Oct. 25 at the James R. Ross Fine Art Gallery in Indianapolis.
Thomas’ winning entry is a still life, but the life in his painting is not still.
He painted a cutting board jutting out of the scene laden with a dripping honey jar. There’s a piece of comb oozing its sweet nectar over the edge of the board, and the jar is framed by a bouquet of lavender. Bees are as attracted to the scene as the beholder’s eye, including the bee that’s sitting outside of the scene looking in.
“I wanted to backlight the honey and the comb to really make it glow,” the artist said.
Thomas said he usually starts a painting with a single object as a point of inspiration, then builds a composition around that by looking for objects and a setting that compliments his original idea.
“One of the gratifying aspects of the realistic type of work I do is that it forces me to really take time to see something more deeply and thoughtfully than we normally have reason to,” he said in a previous interview with this writer. “The more I study and paint something the more I learn to see and translate those discoveries onto the canvas.”
It’s clear by virtue of his recent award that his approach was an effective way to catch the notice of the judges.
“It was a big deal for me,” said Thomas, whose work was selected from more than 9,000 entries (only 136 were selected to be exhibited.) “I was pretty shocked.”
His surprise is a testament to Thomas’ modesty about his work. Giving others their due, he noted that there is some really nice work and well-known artists exhibiting in this show.
“I actually haven’t entered a lot of shows over my career,” said Thomas, who currently teaches art classes in downtown Henderson above HomeTown Roots.
But in the last couple of years he’s stepped up his competition game. He’s entered a few and has been accepted — and also received accolades — into every one. This time, unanimous approval of his work as the Best In Show earned him a $5,000 prize (his largest to date) and the opportunity to promote his work in an art magazine.
Over the years he’s had classrooms on First Street, in Newburgh and in an Atkinson Park building near the city’s pool. For 19 years he’s taught all day long on Tuesdays.
He teaches students at any skill level, from beginner to the artist who’s been with him all 19 years.
Classes meet from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., 1-4 p.m. and 5:30-7:30 p.m.
“It’s easy to join,” Thomas said. Visit his website at ChrisThomasFineArt.com and send him an email. “I enjoy teaching. For them, it’s a good place to be around a group, paint, get my help… separate a time to do art.”
The artist has said that when he first starts teaching a student, he can often see his influence on their work, but over time the student develops his or her own style, just as he has done as he has developed as an artist.
“I feel with my eyes, and these tactile stimulations are what drive me to capture the simple beauty that is often found in the common objects around me,” he said. “I am drawn to the texture of weathered wood, the sheen of a silky material, the reflective quality of metal or even the fuzz on a peach.
“I also take great satisfaction in painting woven or brocaded fabrics and making them appear natural and real,” he added. “I want people to feel as if they could touch the object and even perceive the patina that age can bring.”
Thomas, 55, showed an interest in art and drawing at age 4. At age 21 he attended the Art Students League of New York City studying under artist Harvey Dinnerstein (who introduced him to oils.) By 1995 he had established himself as a full-time professional artist.
His work has been represented by several galleries nationwide, earning awards and appearing in various publications. His paintings are included in numerous private collections.
