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Educated at Howard University and Columbia University, Alma Thomas was associated with the Washington Color School, which also included her contemporaries such as Morris Louis and Sam Gilliam. Thomas was a champion of abstraction as an expressive art form that she believed could transcend specific politics, and chose her imagery and palette in repsonse to nature and scientific phenomena and advancements. Etude in Blue exemplifies a transition from her earlier style of the 1950s, with curving lines and sweeping marks rather than the choppy, mosiac-like swatches of color she developed in the mid 1960s and expanded upon in the 1970s. Etude in Blue also highlights Thomas?s profound exploration of color, with its dominant muted blue palette and subtle areas of bright oranges and yellows that move the eye through the composition.

Questions & Answers

What aliases or alternate names does Alma Thomas have?

Other names recorded for Alma Thomas, creator of "Etude in Blue", include Alma Woodsey Thomas.

Is "Etude in Blue" by Alma Thomas in the public domain?

"Etude in Blue" by Alma Thomas is still protected by copyright. This status governs how the image of the work may be reproduced.

Where can I buy a digital image of "Etude in Blue" by Alma Thomas?

"Etude in Blue" is available as a high-resolution digital image download, purchased directly on its Digital Image page.

In numbers

1966the year it was painted
29frames to choose from
standard sizes, in its own proportions
5weeks to paint and deliver it

About the original

This Artwork Is Under Copyright Protection

The artwork displayed on this page is protected by copyright law, which means we cannot legally create or sell an identical reproduction. This protection is enforced under international agreements such as the Berne Convention and by national laws, including those outlined by the U.S. Copyright Law - Title 17.

As a respectful and legal alternative, we offer custom, hand-painted artworks inspired by the original. Our skilled and professional artists carefully study the original's style, mood, and artistic essence to create a new, unique piece that evokes the same feeling - while remaining an original creation in its own right.

This method fully complies with copyright regulations because it does not involve copying or duplicating the protected artwork. Instead, it is a creative reinterpretation - a new painting that is influenced by the original but not identical to it.

Alma Thomas

1891 - 1978

Quick Facts

Name: Alma Thomas
Movement:
- Washington Color School
- Abstract Expressionism
- Color Field Painting
Birth Date: 1891
Death Date: 1978
Birth Place: Columbus, Georgia
Nationality: American
Date Of Birth: 1891
Date Of Death: 1978
Influenced By:
- James V. Herring
- Lois Mailou Jones
- Jacob Kainen
- Matisse
Notable Works:
- Watusi (Hard Edge)
- Celestial Fantasy
- Wind and Crepe Myrtle Concerto
- Sky Light

Artist Biography

Alma Thomas: A Life in Color

Early Life and Education

Born: 1891 in Columbus, Georgia, Alma Woodsey Thomas was the eldest of four children. Her parents were John Harris Thomas, a businessman, and Amelia Cantey Thomas, a dress designer.
The family relocated to the Logan Circle neighborhood of Washington, D.C., in 1907 due to racial violence and seeking better educational opportunities.
Early Artistic Inclinations: From a young age, Thomas displayed artistic talent, creating puppets and sculptures at home.
She attended Armstrong Technical High School, taking her first formal art classes.
Thomas pursued education at Miner Normal School (later University of the District of Columbia) from 1911 to 1913, focusing on kindergarten education.

Career as an Educator

Thomas began her career as a substitute teacher in Maryland before securing a permanent position in 1914.
From 1916 to 1923, she taught kindergarten at the Thomas Garrett Settlement House in Wilmington, Delaware.
In 1921, she enrolled at Howard University as a home economics student but soon switched her focus to fine art under James V. Herring.
Groundbreaking Graduate: She earned her B.S. in Fine Arts from Howard University in 1924, becoming the first graduate of the university’s fine arts program.
Thomas dedicated over three decades to teaching at Shaw Junior High School (1924-1960), fostering a community arts program that included marionette performances and student-designed holiday cards for veterans.
She earned her M.A. in Art Education from Columbia University in 1934, and continued studies at American University under Jacob Kainen (1950-1960).

Artistic Development & Influences

Early Style: Thomas’s early work was representational, but her style evolved towards abstraction through studies with Herring and Lois Mailou Jones.
Key Influences: She drew inspiration from West African paintings, Byzantine mosaics, and the color field movement.
Her exposure to the work of the New York School and Abstract Expressionism at American University significantly impacted her artistic direction.
She was inspired by Matisse’s cutouts, notably reinterpreting “The Snail” in her painting “Watusi (Hard Edge).”

Mature Work & Artistic Style

Color Field Paintings: Thomas became known for her vibrant, abstract color field paintings characterized by pattern, rhythm, and bold use of color.
Her work often reflected themes inspired by nature, space, and music.
Notable Works: Include “Watusi (Hard Edge),” “Celestial Fantasy,” “Wind and Crepe Myrtle Concerto,” and “Sky Light.”
She frequently sought inspiration from the effects of light and atmosphere on rural environments, often driving into the countryside with friend Delilah Pierce.

Recognition & Legacy

Late Recognition: Thomas gained significant recognition after her retirement from teaching in 1960.
Her first retrospective exhibit was held at the Gallery of Art at Howard University in 1966, curated by James A. Porter.
Groundbreaking Exhibition: In 1972, she became the first African American woman to have a solo exhibition at the Whitney Museum of American Art and the Corcoran Gallery of Art in the same year.
Thomas passed away in 1978, leaving behind a legacy as a pioneering artist who defied labels and embraced her creative vision.
Historical Significance: Alma Thomas’s work challenged racial barriers within the art world and contributed significantly to the development of abstract expressionism and color field painting.