Tom received a BFA in ceramic art from Ohio State University and MEd in art from Towson University in Maryland. He has been an instructor at the Maryland Institute College of Art and Towson University. While teaching, Tom was able to participate in multiple teacher exchange programs to countries such as Germany, Italy, and England. Tom has also been welcomed as a guest artist at the University of Tazmania, Australia. His work has been published in countless books and there have been numerous articles written on his methods. Throughout the years Tom has given lectures on ceramics all over the world, from Maryland to South Korea.
Artist's Statement
"My work comes directly from my personal life experiences and world events. I use images as symbols to represent what ever I am communicating to the viewer. I am interested in the juxtaposition between disparate objects. I want the viewer to find my work to be poignant, yet humorous; detailed, yet generic. I am looking to make objects that are interesting, mysterious, colorful and suggestive of reality rather than trying to make reality itself. The objects that I select are meant to be symbols and should be read as such when viewing my work. Yes, find the obvious in the object; its beauty, humor, color, texture, realistic quality, but also take the next step and try to find your own personal meaning that the piece says to you.
The world of ceramics is vast, encompassing such areas as bricks, tiles, and toilets to nose cones on guided missiles, electric insulators and micro chips in computers as well as pottery and clay sculpture. Because clay as a material is so forgiving, having the ability to take and hold any shape given to it, it is easy to see how the clay product can have so much variety. The clay object directly reflects the maker’s intent and skill. Those works produced directly from the hand inevitably are personal and unique however good or bad they might be. The final judgment of my work is up to you, the viewer. I have no control over that. I only hope that you find something of value, something that touches you personally, when looking at my clay sculpture."