Guest Artist

I have not been creating my own artwork as of late, but I have been working with some very talented youth.

This work is from seven year old Chloe.

For Sale

In an attempt to generate extra income during a struggling economy I have partnered with Society 6.

Artwork on Society6 is created by thousands of artists from around the world. When you buy a product from Society6, they produce it using the highest quality materials, and ship it to you on behalf of the artist.

There is not a large body of my work present yet, but each day I will be adding images and expanding the plethora of options for my loyal supporters.  Visit often and contribute to the cause.

Happy shopping!

For A Good Cause

Five or six years ago during the early days of 10studios I compiled an eclectic mix of 70 works to demonstrate the seven elements of art.  Pieces ranged from drawings and paintings to a small cafe size table and two chairs.  Over time many of these works were purchased by family, friends, community members and the occasional stranger.  However, some still remain, sealed in the basement archives.

Recently John Cartwright, a member of Thodos Dance Chicago, approached me about donating a piece of art for a silent auction.  Humbled, I graciously opened the archives and offered three pieces.  

This large still life drawing of apples was created during a demonstration for a small group of high school students in Hancock County.  

While eating a gala and granny smith apples I drew the progression of consumption.  Each new image overlapped the previous one and created a cubist style.  After the real apples were long gone I returned to the piece adding thick amounts of oil pastel breathing new life into the apples.  

During my non-objective faze I created these two acrylic paintings: Thing 1 and Thing 2.

Each piece is constructed from multiple layers of color and line. 

I now anxiously await the auction and encourage you to check out the other pieces of work available. 

Have you ever participated in a silent auction?  What did you purchase? 

Gold Standard

As humans we possess unique quirks that make us individuals.  We tend to select our friends, lovers, companions, and spouses based on similar quirks or appreciation of these unique quirks.  

Over the years I have enjoyed observing the weird, quirky rituals my friends and family go through before leaving the house.  I have established that everyone falls into one of four categories. Some are pocket patters - persons who lightly touch their pockets checking for essentials: phone, keys, wallet, etc.  Others are scanners - persons who scan their immediate surroundings for items that may serve of importance.  Another group are runners - persons who briskly walk throughout the house looking for something that is already in their pocket or purse.  The last group are heedless - persons who constantly forget or leave items behind.

My wife is heedless because she always forgets or leaves behind her phone, purse, stack of papers to grade, or lunch box daily.  However, she never leaves her lip balm, lipstick, or chap stick.  One reason is because she has hundreds of tubes strategically hidden all over the house, both cars, and school.  

In honor of her heedless nature I created a painting to show my love and appreciation for all she does for our family despite not knowing where her phone or car keys are.  

Gold Standard, acrylic on canvas, 18''x24''

I borrowed the image of Scarlett Johansson from a Dolce and Gabbana ad, but changed the colors to match my desire for symbolism. 

The gold lipstick tube represents the most important in Amy's arsenal of makeup: lip gloss.  She will not leave the house without applying a layer of balm or gloss to her lips.  If time allows she will fix her hair so silver and metallic black were used there.  The skin tones and background are flat colors allowing the gold and silver to shine brighter.  The red nails represent Amy's heedless desire to paint her nails two minutes before we are to walk out the door.    

What is in a name?

During college I began creating a pseudonym for my artistic persona. Not because I was doing anything illegal, not because I was controversial, but because I thought it was cool.

In high school I read two books by a guy named Eric Blair (you know him as George Orwell). Animal Farm and 1984 were both interesting, but a person with the same first name as me, having two identities really caught my attention.

I used my middle name and the street I was born on to create Thomas E. Noel. The name worked except it felt more like a philosopher, scholar, or writer rather than an artist. I needed something with creativity dripping off the words.

 

Thomas E. Noel

The initials from Mr. Thomas E. Noel plus an artsy word gave birth to 10studios. 

Here at 10studios we focus on five specific areas:

1. Art

2. Design

3. DIY projects

4. Education

5. Entertainment

All services are available for hire.

Now you know the rest of the story.

- Paul Harvey