ARTIST’S BIOGRAPHY
Robert (Bob) Thomas
Bob was born and grew up in Arlington, VA, an eighth generation Arlingtonian. He attended Flint Hill Prep School, graduated first in his class in 1975. and later served on its Board of Trustees. In 1979 he graduated from Washington and Lee University with a degree in journalism. Following graduation, he joined the family business in Arlington. With the help of his father, he began his own business carving cemetery memorials. He expanded the business with a partner by acquiring competitors in Manassas and Fredricksburg, VA.
After 25 years in the memorial business, Bob hired a manager so that he could pursue other interests. In 2004 he opened an antique shop in Michigan. During the long winter there he began making “Whimsies” using the internal components from an antique piano he purchased at an auction. While restoring an old building he had bought in Buena Vista, VA, he continued making his “Whimsies” to relieve the stress of the project he thought would take only a few months. During a trip to a remote area in the county, he found some deer bones that he used to make a larger sculpture titled “9-11”. After the restoration of the building was complete, he began carving on a log that took the shape of a fish. He still makes his “Whimsies”, but loves looking for logs in the woods that he can imagine becoming a fish.
Awards in Art Exhibits:
1st Place and Judge’s Choice, 2006 - for 9-11 sculpture, Rockbridge County Regional Art Fair.
Robert (Bob) Thomas
Bob was born and grew up in Arlington, VA, an eighth generation Arlingtonian. He attended Flint Hill Prep School, graduated first in his class in 1975. and later served on its Board of Trustees. In 1979 he graduated from Washington and Lee University with a degree in journalism. Following graduation, he joined the family business in Arlington. With the help of his father, he began his own business carving cemetery memorials. He expanded the business with a partner by acquiring competitors in Manassas and Fredricksburg, VA.
After 25 years in the memorial business, Bob hired a manager so that he could pursue other interests. In 2004 he opened an antique shop in Michigan. During the long winter there he began making “Whimsies” using the internal components from an antique piano he purchased at an auction. While restoring an old building he had bought in Buena Vista, VA, he continued making his “Whimsies” to relieve the stress of the project he thought would take only a few months. During a trip to a remote area in the county, he found some deer bones that he used to make a larger sculpture titled “9-11”. After the restoration of the building was complete, he began carving on a log that took the shape of a fish. He still makes his “Whimsies”, but loves looking for logs in the woods that he can imagine becoming a fish.
Awards in Art Exhibits:
1st Place and Judge’s Choice, 2006 - for 9-11 sculpture, Rockbridge County Regional Art Fair.
2nd place, 2006 – Rockbridge County Regional Art Fair.
Honorable Mention, 2007 - Hopkins Green Art Show, Lexington, VA.
Award of Excellence, 2007 - Pt. Betsie Lighthouse Sesquicentennial Juried Art Show, Pt. Betsie, Michigan.
3rd Place, 2008 - Crystal Lake Art Center Juried Show (encompassing 6 counties).
Wildest of Wild Things, 2009 – Wild Things Juried Exhibit at the Smithsonian Affiliated Ann Marie Gardens in Solomon, MD.
Wildest of Wild Things, 2009 – Wild Things Juried Exhibit at the Smithsonian Affiliated Ann Marie Gardens in Solomon, MD.
