Early Career and Education

Thomas Blackshear II graduated from the American Academy of Art in Chicago in 1977. He began his career at the Hallmark Card Company in Kansas City, Missouri, where he apprenticed under renowned illustrator Mark English. In 1980, he served as head illustrator at Godbold/Richter Studio before transitioning to freelance illustration in 1982, remaining self-employed since.

Artistic Achievements

Blackshear’s work spans a diverse range of media, including:

• Illustrations: Advertising, books, calendars, greeting cards, and magazines for clients like Disney Pictures, George Lucas Studios, Universal Studios, National Geographic, and International Wildlife.
• U.S. Postage Stamps: 30 designs, including the 50th Anniversary Movie Poster Stamps, Universal Monster Stamps, and Mother Teresa Stamps, plus the “I Have a Dream” commemorative stamp book, with 17 paintings exhibited at the Smithsonian Institution and toured nationally for eight years.
• Collector’s Plates: Series for Star Wars, The Wizard of Oz, Star Trek, and Star Trek: The Next Generation.
• Christian Prints: Bestselling works for DaySpring’s Masterpiece Collection, such as “Forgiven” and “Coat of Many Colors.”
• Ebony Visions: Launched in 1995, this line of black figurine collectibles has been the top seller in the U.S. for over 20 years.
  In 2006, he unveiled a painting of Pope John Paul II at the Vatican for the 25th Anniversary of the Pope John Paul II Foundation.

Teaching and International Presence

Blackshear taught three semesters at the San Francisco Academy of Art College and has lectured at workshops across the U.S. Internationally, he conducted a workshop in Sweden and toured German Air Force bases twice.

Awards and Recognition

His accolades include:

• Gold and Silver Honors, Kansas City Art Directors Club (1982)
• Two Gold Awards and Best of Show, Illustrators West (1986); Best of Show (1989); Two Gold Awards (1990)
• Gold Medal, National Society of Illustrators (1988)
• Two Silver Awards, San Francisco Society of Illustrators (1989)
• Plate of the Year Achievement Award (1990)
• His work has been featured in Society of Illustrators Annuals (24, 25, 27, 28, 30) and Outstanding American Illustrators Today, Volume 2. Paintings are displayed at the Museum of Biblical Art (Dallas, TX) and the Booth Western Art Museum (Cartersville, GA).
• 2022 The Express Ranches Great American Cowboy Award, honoring the finest portrayal of cowboy subject matter, was presented to Thomas Blackshear II for his 43 1/4” x 33 1/2” Oil on canvas titled Two Americans of the Old West. The painting priced at $38,000 sold during the Saturday evening fixed-price sale. The $3,000 award is sponsored by Robert A. Funk and Express Ranches.
• 2024 Prix De West Purchase Award featuring "A Much Needed Break"
• 2024 Artist Excellence Award presented by Art of the West Magazine
• 2025 William B. Travis Award for Patron's Choice Prize presented by Western Art Collector featuring "The Blue Bird"

Representation

Thomas Blackshear II is represented by Broadmoor Galleries (Colorado Springs, CO) and Trailside Galleries (Jackson, WY, and Scottsdale, AZ).

Thomas Blackshear II Wikipedia Article