Thomas Paulk
Biography and Works
Tom is a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, and majored in Engineering. With a 15 year Naval Aviation background, flying F-4 Phantoms and F-14 Tomcats, he has always been drawn to “flying machines” and the skies, and has a fondness for seascapes and cloudscapes. He is a recent retiree (in 2020) from the business world and can finally devote more than a few hours to his favorite endeavor, painting and aviation art. He comes from an artistic family, including one of D.C.'s famous portrait painters - Kitti Von Kann (his aunt)- and has passed this inherited talent down to his own daughters. Tom works with Acrylic on canvas, does some metal sculpting, resin, and is proficient with an airbrush. ...more...
Tom is a member of a local Art club in Virginia, the” Southside Artists Association” for 4 years (www.southsideartistsassociation.com), a place to rub elbows with other artists and brainstorm how to solve problems, enjoy some camaraderie, and plan and execute various local art shows. He’s been a member of the club for about 3 years, and has been part of several judged shows, taking First place (1), People’s Choice Award (x2), 2nd place (x1), Honorable Mention (x2).
Tom has been a member of the local “Tailhook” association (made of former Naval aviators, for 24 yrs), his local Naval Academy Alumni Association (24 yrs), the Association of Naval Aviators (3 yrs), and various computer clubs.
Like most other artists, he is on a journey of discovery and expression, and loves to explore color, composition, and improve his technique. He also is ambitious and wants to grow his art business, and create the kind of memorable art and enjoy the kind of success that others have earned.
Gallery
Acrylic on Canvas, 28”x30”
Single Tomcat on flight deck in late afternoon. One of the crew is observing a maintainer who is digging into the turtleback area.
Acrylic on Canvas, 24”x28”
RF-4B slides into low holding above the USS Midway, with Eagle (the C.O.) guiding the jet.
Acrylic on Canvas, 24”x36”
VF-151 F-4S sits on the flight deck, with maintainers nearby enjoying a quiet moment in between sorties.
Acrylic on Canvas, 22”x28”
A section of F-4S from VF-161 “Rock Rivers” at high speed above the Phillipines Jungle.
Acrylic on Canvas, 22”x28”
A section of F-4S from VF-151 “Vigilantes” (callsign “Switchbox”) cruises above the coastline in the Phillipines.
Acrylic on Canvas, 22”x28”
An F-4S drifts along with a spectacular sunset.
Acrylic on Canvas, 30”x40”
A section of F-14s head into a sea of “God’s rays”, a scene that happens with the right timing and environmentals.
