About the Artist, Thomas Kennedy, and his Work

About The Artist and His Work
Thomas Kennedy has been a professional artist and illustrator for over 35 years. In honor of the upcoming Bicentennial of the birth of Abraham Lincoln, he recently completed a 3' x 4' painting entitled “The Life of Abraham Lincoln”. The painting commemorates the life of this distinguished hero of human rights. From concept through exhaustive research and finished painting, the project required two years of complete dedication and focus.

Images from this painting were adapted for a Christmas Ornament representing the Lincoln National Boyhood Memorial in Indiana and graced the 2007 theme tree celebrating the centennial of our national parks at the White House. Kennedy was invited to Washington by First Lady Laura Bush in November where he viewed his hand painted ornament hanging on the Blue Room tree.

This painting has had a strong effect on most people who have seen it to date. On viewing Thomas’ historically accurate master work, Dr. Sue Ellen Reed, Indiana’s Superintendent of Public Instruction, commenced an ongoing campaign to have prints of the work placed in classrooms throughout Indiana as a teaching aid.

“The Life of Abraham Lincoln”, has been adopted by the Indiana Bicentennial Commission as the official state painting for the Lincoln Bicentennial and endorsed by the National Bicentennial Commission.

Thomas’ illustrations have appeared throughout the world. His work graces the brochures, advertisements, product labels and walls of national clients such as Bristol-Myers Squibb, Escalade Sports, Alcoa, United Airlines, Mead Johnson Nutritionals, and Sears Roebuck.

Thomas’ editorial work has been, and remains, in demand by numerous magazines, text book publishers and book publishers throughout the United States for the fine art quality of his illustration. The warmth and depth of feeling he brings to his work is easily seen in his commercial illustration as well as his fine art renderings.

Kennedy recently received the top honors from his hometown, Owensboro, Kentucky and his adopted hometown of Rockport, Indiana. Rockport presented him with the David B. Synoweic Award and Owensboro gave him the key to the city. The publicity his painting "The Life of Abraham Lincoln" is generating prompted the presentation of both awards.

Though gifted at selling products and ideas through his art, the works in highest demand are Thomas’ portraits and montage work involving people. Whether in a contemporary likeness or a portrait with the character and flavor of days gone by, Thomas Kennedy’s ability to capture the spirit and likeness of people is astonishing.

Abraham Lincoln lived his entire life in four places; Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky and Washington D.C. Kennedy was born in Louisville, Kentucky, approximately 40 miles from Lincoln’s birthplace. He currently lives in Spencer County Indiana, approximately 40 miles from where Lincoln lived from age 7 - 21. Kennedy also lived and worked in Chicago, Illinois as an illustrator and designer. Thomas feels very connected to the three states which have been home to him and this great leader. His respect for the man and how he lived his life are evident in the images throughout his tribute to Lincoln.

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This work of art has been adopted by the Indiana Bicentennial Commission
and endorsed by the National Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission

Read news coverage about Thomas Kennedy This Painting

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