About

Biography

b. 1970

Thomas Kegler’s growing volume of work, considered to be among the most influential of our time, embodies a confident humility obtained from a life spent outdoors.

An internationally recognized artist, Thomas is a self-taught realist painter and accomplished educational film producer. He is also a renowned art educator and champion of future artists, young and old. The wilds of New York State and a close-knit family of designers and entrepreneurs shaped his early love of art and the outdoors. Fly fishing and guiding in Alaska’s backcountry cemented his pursuit of a life path illuminated by sunlight more often than lamplight. The grandeur of the American West has proven to be an insatiable muse for the past several years.

His work draws on the techniques and sensibilities of the Hudson River school, Tonalism and Lumanism movements of the mid-1800's. Each piece celebrates the grandeur and mystery of God's creation through careful attention to often-overlooked subtleties.

Thomas is recognized as a top artist among many national organizations and has been featured in numerous publications. His work is showcased in galleries, collections, and publications worldwide. Thomas lives in Western New York with his children.

Artist Statement

Poetry of Place

I paint traditionally—mirroring a time when academic training and processes were embraced and nurtured. Through my work, I strive to bring an awareness and respect for God’s creations and their temporal qualities. My paintings are a “devotional” of hand, head and heart. Experiences of the sublime are what I am called to paint…the materials, technique and subject are the vehicle. The many hours and days spent interacting with my subjects have opened my eyes to subtleties such as intricate color and value shifts, and beauty in the overlooked. The sounds, smells, and tactile qualities that I experience while in field cannot help but be infused in the work. I strive to impart a universal quality in my paintings that makes the viewer feel he has been there and can relate to the image.

An Artist’s prayer:

“Lord, may the Holy Spirit paint through my hands. May the work I create humbly point upwards and give glory to you alone. Soli Deo Gloria”
"With Humility comes Wisdom” –Proverbs 11:2

Exhibitions, Events, and Honors

2024

43rd Annual Buffalo Bill Art Show & Sale - Center of the West in Cody, WY
18th International Art Renewal Center Salon, Annual Competition, Guest Juror - Landscape Category
Honorable Mention: 2024 Online Showcase - Oil Painters of America
First Place Overall winner of the August PleinAir Salon 14th Annual Art Competition: PleinAir Magazine

2023

42nd Annual Buffalo Bill Art Show & Sale - Center of the West in Cody, WY
17th International Art Renewal Center Salon, Annual Competition, Honorable Mention
2nd Biannual “Shades of Gray” Exhibition of the American Tonalist Society

2022

41st Annual Buffalo Bill Art Show & Sale - Center of the West in Cody, WY
"Spirit of the West": Best in Show Award
16th International Art Renewal Center Salon, Annual Competition, Finalist
Feature Article: Western Art and Architecture Magazine September Issue

2021

15th International Art Renewal Center Salon, Annual Competition, Honorable Mention
40th Annual Buffalo Bill Art Show & Sale, Center of the West in Cody, WY
Exhibition: Fall Auction , The Salmagundi Club, NY
Merit Award

2020

14th International Art Renewal Center Salon, Annual Competition, Honorable Mention
Exhibition: “Luminous Landscapes”, Weeks Gallery, Jamestown, NY
Solo Exhibition: “Poetic Presence”, Meibohm Fine Art, East Aurora, NY

2019

13th International Art Renewal Center Salon, Annual Competition, Honorable Mention
“Shades of Gray” Inaugural Exhibition of the American Tonalist Society
“Metamorphosis” Exhibit Oxford Gallery, Rochester, NY
“Dusk to Dawn” Exhibition, Meibohm Fine Art, East Aurora, NY
“In a Nutshell” Exhibition, Meibohm Fine Art, East Aurora, NY

2018

12th International Art Renewal Center Salon, Annual Competition, Honorable Mention
American Masters Exhibition & Sale, Salmagundi Club, New York City, N
“The Eye of the Beholder” Landscape Exhibition, Trees Place, Orleans, MA
“Ode to Joy” Exhibit, Oxford Gallery, Rochester, NY

2017

11th International Art Renewal Center Salon, Annual Competition, Honorable Mention
“James Ford Commitment to Education Award”, East Aurora Educational Association, East Aurora, NY
“CAM Legacy Award”, Castellani Art Museum, Niagara Falls, NY
“Artists' Choice Award”, American Masters Exhibition & Sale, Salmagundi Club, New York City, NY
Two original oil paintings featured as wall props in the season premiere of CBS' television series “Madam Secretary”
“Thomas Kegler: Painting Niagara” Museum Exhibition, Castellani Art Museum, Niagara Falls, NY
Plein Air Convention Faculty, San Diego, CA
Released Instructional Documentary “Painting Niagara”
“Small Works Show” Exhibition, Trees Place, Orleans, MA

2016

American Masters Exhibition & Sale, Salmagundi Club, New York City, NY
International Art Renewal Center Salon Exhibition MEAM in Barcelona, Spain & Salmagundi Club in NYC
Landscape Exhibit Oxford Gallery, Rochester, NY
10th International Art Renewal Center Salon, Annual Competition, Honorable Mention
Members Landscape Exhibition Salmagundi Club, New York, NY 
“Staff Picks” Exhibit, John Pence, San Francisco, CA
Landscape Exhibit, John Pence, San Francisco, CA
Landscape Exhibition, Trees Place, Orleans, MA

2015

American Masters Exhibition & Sale, Salmagundi Club, New York City, NY
9th International Art Renewal Center Salon, Annual Competition, Honorable Mention
International Art Renewal Center Salon Exhibition, MEAM in Barcelona Spain & Salmagundi Club in NYC
Annual Members Exhibit & Sale, Philip Isenberg Memorial Award Salmagundi Club, New York City, NY 
Solo Exhibition: “Interludes of Light”, Meibohm Fine Art, East Aurora, NY
Group Exhibition: “Still Life & Florals” John Pence Gallery, San Francisco, CA
“MANmade Art: A Cross-Generational Survey”, Kenan Center, Lockport, NY
Group Exhibition: “The Condition of Music”, Oxford Gallery: Rochester, NY
“Landscapes Across America”, Trees Place Gallery, Orleans, MA 
Group Landscape Exhibition, Grand Central Atelier & Eleventh Street Arts New York, NY

2014

American Masters Exhibition & Sale, Salmagundi Club, New York City, NY
Artist Residency Recipient, La Napoule Art Foundation & Grand Central Atelier Château de La Napoule, France
Group Exhibition: “A Moveable Feast”, John Pence Gallery, San Francisco, CA
Group Exhibition: Trout Unlimited, Burchfield Penny Art Center, Buffalo, NY
Group Exhibition: “Proverbs and Commonplace”, Oxford Gallery, Rochester, NY
Instructor & Senior Fellow, Grand Central Atelier, Hudson River Fellowship with Jacob Collins
Taught Summer Intensive Landscape Workshop: Jackson, NH, Senior Fellow, group presentations

2013

PleinAir Salon, Best Nocturne
Designated as “Associate Living Master” through the Art Renewal Center
Still Life Group Show, John Pence Gallery, San Francisco, CA
Salon International 2013 Juried Exhibition, Greenhouse Gallery of Fine Art, San Antonio, TX
Oil Painters of America: Juried Salon
Instructor & Senior Fellow, Grand Central Atelier, Hudson River Fellowship with Jacob Collins
Taught Summer Intensive Landscape, Workshop: Jackson, NH, Senior Fellow, group presentations

2012

Oil Painters of America: National Online Showcase, Third Place Winner: Fall
Still Life Group Show, John Pence Gallery, San Francisco, CA
Gallery Artists Group Show, John Pence Gallery, San Francisco, CA
Art Renewal Center Salon 2012 Finalist
Group Exhibition: “Well Crafted”, Burchfield Penny Art Center, Buffalo, NY
Salon International Juried Exhibition, Honorable Mention, Greenhouse Gallery of Fine Art, San Antonio, TX
Group Exhibition, Mill Road Scenic Overlook, Meibohm Fine Art Gallery, East Aurora, NY
Instructor & Senior Fellow, Grand Central Atelier, Hudson River Fellowship with Jacob Collins
Taught Summer Intensive Landscape, Workshop: Jackson, NH, Senior Fellow, group presentations

2011

Solo Show, John Pence Gallery, San Francisco, CA
“Majestic Landscapes” Group Show, John Pence Gallery, San Francisco, CA
“Trompe L’oeil” Group Show, John Pence Gallery, San Francisco, CA
“Recent Arrivals” Show, John Pence Gallery, San Francisco, CA
Two Person Show, Oxford Gallery, Rochester, NY
“Traditions” Group Exhibition, Oxford Gallery, Rochester, NY
“Size Matters” Show, John Pence Gallery, San Francisco, CA
Instructor & Senior Fellow, Grand Central Atelier, Hudson River Fellowship with Jacob Collins
Taught Summer Intensive Landscape, Workshop: Jackson, NH, Senior Fellow, group presentations

2010

Solo exhibition of recent paintings, Meibohm Fine Art Gallery, East Aurora, NY
Oil Painters of America Juried National Show, Legacy Gallery, Scottsdale, AZ
Hudson River Fellowship with Jacob Collins, Senior Fellow in Summer Intensive Workshop: The Institute for Classical Architecture and Classical America, Hunter, NY
Landscape Group Show, Cavalier Galleries, Greenwich, CT
Juried Group Exhibition, Art Dialogue Gallery, Buffalo, NY
Juried “Thumb Box” Group Exhibition, Buffalo Society of Artists, Tonawanda, NY
“Let There be Light” Group Exhibition, Oxford Gallery, Rochester, NY
Solo exhibition of recent paintings, Meibohm Fine Art Gallery, East Aurora, NY

2009

Small Works Group Show, Cavalier Galleries, Greenwich, CT
Boston International Art Show, Represented by Arcadia Gallery, New York City, NY
Hudson River Revival: Contemporary, Landscape Painting Group Show, Springville Museum of Art, UT
Juried National Exhibition, Oil Painters of America, Santa Fe, NM
Juried Regional Exhibition, Corse Gallery & Atelier, Oil Painters of America, Jacksonville, FL
Hudson River Fellowship with Jacob Collins, Senior Fellow in Summer Intensive Workshop: The Institute for Classical Architecture and Classical America, Hunter, NY
Three Person Exhibition, Art Dialogue Gallery, Buffalo, NY
“Night” Group Exhibition, Oxford Gallery, Rochester, NY

2008

Juried National Exhibition, Hudson Valley Art Association, Recipient of the Dumond Memorial Award, Old Lyme, CT
Juried National Exhibition, Oil Painters of America, Missoula, MT
Albright Knox Art Gallery Collector’s Gallery
Hudson River Fellowship with Jacob Collins, Senior Fellow in Summer Intensive Workshop: The Institute for Classical Architecture and Classical America, Hunter, NY
Two person exhibition of recent paintings, Kenan Center, Lockport, NY
Juried members group exhibition, Western New York Artist’s Group, Buffalo, NY
Invited Group exhibition, Western New York Artist’s Group, Buffalo, NY
“Awakenings” group exhibition, Oxford Gallery, Rochester, NY
“Collectors Gallery” joint exhibition, Albright Knox Art Gallery, Buffalo, NY

2006-7