Tommy B McDonell’s mixed media painting “Island Storm” (10 x 12 in.) takes part in Manhattan Arts International online exhibit exhibition to celebrate its 25th Anniversary. The show’s theme was “Love, Peace, Unity & Hope.”
Artists submitted two paintings and wrote 80 words (using the pronoun I, etc about how their painting represents one or more of these words.)
Tommy wrote…
“I love the world, and not just one area. One of my biggest fears is global warming. I think it’s important to educate our citizens about the dangers of greenhouse gases as well as the concentration of carbon dioxide which makes all of us vulnerable to rising waters. At one point, the melting of ice will affect each and every one of us. My greatest wish is for our country to work with others to reverse these trends.—Tommy B McDonell”
To learn more about Manhattan Arts International and its history visit this page.
“If you hear a voice within you say, ‘You cannot paint,’ then by all means paint, and that voice will be silenced.”
I took my first watercolor class in Manhattan in 2007, and in 2009 I won my first honorable mention at the Arts Council in Southern Pines NC. I took various classes at the Artist League of the Sandhills in Aberdeen, NC. I took alcohol ink classes from Karen Walker and in 2011 did my first show art show with her at the league.
I worked in alcohol ink and acrylics for several years. It was with inks that developed my own style. I stopped trying to paint like other people. I just did what I wanted to do, no matter what.
I have painted full time since then. Art helps me to balance my life. When I paint, I don’t pay attention to all the things I can’t do or no longer can do. I can’t tell you or anyone, where my ideas come from. I can tell you I have love art history, travelled extensively from 1970-2008 and am interested in almost every thing.
While I studied art from time to time, I didn’t read about art. When I moved to Manhattan I went to every art show I could. I read blurbs about their work and life, but not about their style.
I still don’t read very much about the life of the artist, nor do I read the artist statement. To me, this statement is only as good as the moment or time period for which it was written.
I love technology and I love trying to put my artwork online. While at one time I could write straight html to design websites, I have trouble with websites designed for me. And so, I have a wonderful designer, Nate Vaughan, who does most of my website, and of course gets me out of trouble!
No matter how hard I try, my website is never up to date. It probably never will be. The BEST place to see my current work is on Instagram, which then posts my work onto Facebook. I like it to catch up with my friends and as one place to see what is at every museum. I do send my friends new work periodically.
I’m also not very good at naming my paintings, or heaven forbid, measuring my paintings.
Painting is how I escape my health, the politics of the world, and everything else.
I donate paintings to not for profit organizations for their auctions. I also give paintings to people who have helped me out, from doctors, to hotel managers, to plumbers, to almost everyone.
My work is for sale, except when it is going into a show, and then you must purchase it there. I give a percentage of my sales to non profits in the states where I have lived or where people who run organizations live. And all of my paintings are available as a print or note card or scarf! Do see my website store.
Fondly,
Tommy B. McDonell, PhD
Artist, West End NC
—— updated January 19, 2025