Raised in Atlanta, Georgia, Thomas Blackshear spent his childhood drawing even when “all the other kids” were outside playing ball. He secured a coveted scholarship to the Art Institute of Chicago and finished his studies at the nearby Academy of Art. A gifted illustrator with a masterful eye for color and composition, Blackshear got an early start at Hallmark Cards, moving on to become head illustrator at Kansas City’s prestigious Godbold/Richter Studio. Soon enough, however, this modern master chose to pursue a prosperous freelance career, with commissions from the U.S. Postal Service (among many others), and numerous esteemed awards and recognitions, including the Society of Illustrators’ Gold Medal. Not content with only two dimensions, Blackshear has branched out into sculpture, proving to be every bit as masterful in this medium as he is on paper. Blackshear has realized a long cherished dream fulfilled with his exquisite “Ebony Visions” creations. Blending Art Nouveau sensibilities with images and subject matter that spring out of deep African traditions and culture, Blackshear has proudly created what he likes to call “African Nouveau”.

Starlite Originals, LLC is a Los Angeles-based foundry and publisher representing talented sculptors and artists from a wide variety of backgrounds and styles. Starlite has developed a number of innovative techniques and materials employed in the creation of each artist’s work, resulting in sculptures that are exquisitely detailed and dramatically finished in a mixed media style. This process includes the use of materials such as bronze, pewter, Lucite, acrylic, porcelain, resin, wood, copper, turquoise, and even 24 karat gold vermeil – just to name a few! The result is that each artist is able to realize the full potential of every new creation in a way that is nearly impossible through the use of just one material alone.