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Recent Spam Attack

Posted on July 25, 2020 // Leave a Comment

Hello all. We recently experienced a spam attack to our newsletter sign-up form. I am not sure what the motive is behind this or who is responsible, however this was not initiated by thomasmthurston.com nor driven by any of our marketing initiatives.

ThomasMThurston.com has never purchased an email address list for advertising purposes and this negative experience is further reinforcement why we will not in the future. Our practices are to grow organically with high-quality real person sign-ups while browsing the site or offline at a show and also why we require a double opt-in confirmation from your email address before you are added to the list.

We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused and have taken the sign-up form down until further notice. Thank you for your understanding.

Filed Under: Announcements //

Join Us for an Opening Reception at Kienlen Lattman Sotheby’s International Realty on March 28th, 2019

Posted on March 27, 2019 // Leave a Comment

Please join us for Thomas M. Thurston’s Opening Reception at Kienlen Lattman Sotheby’s International Realty in Madison, NJ on Thursday, March 28th 2019 between the hours of 6:00PM and 9:00PM. Live music by Monica Garcia-Medina of Popsicle School of Performance will accompany the artwork. Light refreshments will be served.
GPS Address is: 223 Main Street, Madison, NJ 07940.

Opening Reception for Thomas M. Thurston at Kienlen Lattman Sotheby's International Realty on March 28th, 2019.

Opening Reception for Thomas M. Thurston at Kienlen Lattman Sotheby’s International Realty on March 28th, 2019.

Filed Under: Announcements // Tagged: , ,

Fall in Love with These 9 Works of Abstract Art

Posted on February 5, 2014 // 1 Comment

An abstract art negative in a film fixing tray with colorful paint splatterFirst and foremost, welcome to the first of many art and design articles under the new brand, Designers’ Darkroom!

Pay It Forward

I’d be foolish to think the world solely revolves around me and my art…

So, in true pay it forward fashion, I’m using this outlet to share my recent discoveries of other artists from around the world, whether their focus is acrylic painting, oil on canvas, sculpture, or fine art photography.

Let’s Start with Abstract Art!

I love abstract art because it’s so easy to interpret the meaning of the work in your own way. Abstract art can also be open-ended so the piece can be experienced differently with each passing glance.

A painting will speak to you, but you may not understand why till you’ve had some time to think about it. Maybe it’s the vibrant color palette. Or its geometric shapes. Or the expression of a place you’ve recently visited. For whatever reason, this type of art is as mysterious as it is concrete.

And with that, enjoy these…

9 Works of Abstract Art You’ll Fall in Love With

1. White Blossom Rainbow Tree by Helen Oprea

Helen paints contemporary abstract trees in a three dimensional way with pops of color and texture that is as delicate as a flower petal. Canvas splits add even more dimension to the style of her paintings.

She also paints landscapes and other natural scenes with the same technique; her focus is custom made art, so if you’re looking to have something created that’s one-of-a-kind for your space, go check out Helen’s Flower Art Painting Etsy Shop.

2. Firewall by Philippe Sainte-Laudy

Philippe is a passionate landscape photographer with a blur technique unlike anything I’ve ever seen. Firewall is an abstract woodsy scene that incorporates natural light glowing like fire through a cluster of trees. One stands alone.

I simply love this artist’s work.

3. Moonlit Harbor by Erin Ashley

Moonlit Harbor’s soft color palette and swirling strokes remind me of saltwater waves crashing against a wooden structure held together by rusted iron hardware.

Erin Ashley is internationally recognized for her work in contemporary art; she draws her inspiration from nature’s way of beautifully weathering things.

In addition to owning the original, you may also find Erin’s work available at some of the larger home decor stores like HomeGoods or Bed Bath and Beyond in a high-quality printed format.

4. elements 1 by Norunn Molsater

elements 1 draws me closer to mother earth with its organic, burnt sienna dirt that is slowly eroding because of the constant pounding flow from a waterfall.

Norunn, like many others in this list, gets her inspiration from nature and its tranquility.

5. October Sail by Osnat Tzadok

October Sail is an abstract piece that uses color to help you visualize its true meaning.

Its color palette is warm like Autumn. Orange, red, yellow, and a touch of green are used here to hint at the changing season. Shades of blue against rippled white reflections also help to keep the abstract sailboats grounded by giving the viewer a sense of water in the painting.

Osnat Tzadok’s work can be unraveled by reading into the work’s title; without that, you may see melted crayons or an audio waveform. Context is everything with Osnat’s inspiration.

Simply brilliant!

6. My Teeth Itch by Greta Vick

Inner balance and harmony are products of symmetry.

My Teeth Itch can be a symmetrical play on the constant force by Greta’s new braces, where dark balances light and equal and opposing forces negate to create a harmonious balance, or simply put, straight teeth.

7. Beauty of the Soul by Henry Parsinia

As a lover of color, Beauty of the Soul by Henry Parsinia really speaks to me. First impressions are usually right on, but this piece is so amorphous, you can get lost in it for a while and come out with a deeper meaning each time.

Initially, this piece displays some colorful swirls, similar to works by the legendary free-blown glassmaker, Dale Chilhuly.

Then it hit me, Beauty of the Soul also has metaphysical qualities. Could souls have arteries and veins? Maybe there’s life after death after all.

8. Infinite Flare by Jeff Jagunich

Infinite Flare is a watercolor abstract that represents biological cracks and veins to the artist while his wife sees a solar flare.

Look deeper though. Think beyond just biology. Think of beautifully translucent and vibrant jellyfish tentacles in bubbly saltwater.

9. abstract N° 797 by Koen Lybaert

Color in motion, blurred forms, and hard transitions come to life while defocusing my eyes. abstract N° 797 is reminiscent of a circus act with a colorful clown form in the center of the painting.

Koen just brought me back to a colorful and fun childhood even if that wasn’t his intent.

A Quick Note About Copyrights

Each picture and associated artwork in this list is owned by the respective artist listed in the numbered heading. Images are hosted and linked from the originating website.

If doing so infringes on an individual’s copyright, please send me an email and I will remove the image links associated with the text immediately.

Get Ready for Black & White Art

Next up… black & white art. See you in two weeks.

Filed Under: abstract art // Tagged: , , , , ,

Welcome to Designers’ Darkroom – A New Creative Outlet by Thomas M Thurston

Posted on January 21, 2014 // Leave a Comment

Designers' Darkroom Logo depicts a film fixing tray with a single developed negative with blog name covered in paint. Welcome to the re-launched blog of Thomas M Thurston, or freshly coined, Designers’ Darkroom!

Rather than sharing a photo-a-day by yours truly, I’ll be repurposing this outlet to share recently discovered art and design along with newly released signed and limited edition photographs from time-to-time.

Designers’ Darkroom Expectations

I want to set some expectations up front so you have a better idea of what and when I’ll post here:

  • What – Part I: Expect to discover artists, both new and seasoned, from many different genres and backgrounds.
  • Part II: Expect to discover design ideas for your home or office that will transform a space from drab to fab.
  • Part III: Expect to see the unexpected; that means items perceived as art, whether that is a watch, pen, or loudspeaker.
  • How Often: I’ll publish a new article to Designers’ Darkroom every two weeks, so expect 26 unique posts each year.

Stay tuned for the first of many to come!

In the meantime, why don’t you acquaint yourself with Our Mission and Our Business Practices.

Filed Under: Announcements // Tagged: , ,

Angels’ Pool – A Place that Only Exists Through the Eyes of Time

Posted on June 10, 2013 // Leave a Comment

It’s almost dusk and I can feel the sun on my face as the last light fades into the horizon. The forceful breeze off the Pacific creates crashing waves on the jagged shore where I stand.

The wind’s whisper in my ear suggests to me there’s more to Mother Nature’s story here. She says to me… there is a small cove where angels go to play. And where they go, mere mortals cannot survive because of the treacherous rock formations and crashing tide. It’s called Angels’ Pool and it exists only through the eyes of time.

Treacherous rocks surround a small cove where angels play as the remaining golden light fades into the horizon.

Filed Under: Art and Artist Proofs // Tagged:

Scotland Revealed: Isle of Mull and Iona

Posted on February 2, 2013 // Leave a Comment

Before I jump into the Isle of Mull tour experience and since this is the first blog post of the New Year, Happy New Year everyone. I hope you’re all off to a great start in 2013!

I wanted to share a quick blog post about Bowman’s Tours departing from Oban, Scotland. We opted for touring the Isle of Mull and Iona which departs from the beautiful Oban Bay. After almost missing the tour ferry, which was docked on the other side of the bay from our bed and breakfast, we were finally off with the wind at our back. This tour took the majority of the day so plan for that; and make sure to bring a rain coat just in case.

The tour begins with a scenic ferry ride to the Isle of Mull; once there, you basically board a tour bus and let your guide navigate on a single-lane, two-way traffic road. They have a saying in Mull: you don’t drive on the road, you drive on what’s left of the road. Apparently, road maintenance is a difficult task to keep up with here.

The bus tour was nice, but I would have much rather brought the car aboard the ferry and explored Mull at my own pace. Lesson learned.

I will say this, though… our tour guide was great and he provided us with fantastic explanations of Mull’s history, life on the isle, and local wildlife in the area. I was pleased to see seals along the coast and some very interesting trees.

Mussels at Martyrs Bay Restaurant in Iona

Mussels are popular in Iona and Mull; so much so that it’s a popular trade to catch them for a living. Martyrs Bay Restaurant right near the dock offers these locally caught mussels in a garlic and wine sauce that will tingle your tastebuds and make you savor every bite. The portion was large and not too expensive either. Wish I had a picture…

Also, not too far from the dock is a pretty little beach area.

Isle of Iona - Scotland, UK

Filed Under: 365 Project // Tagged:

Inverness, Highlands, and a Torrential Downpour While Driving on a Twisty Road

Posted on September 27, 2012 // Leave a Comment

Good times were had by all on our way to Inverness, the capital city of the Highlands in Scotland. I’m not really one to enjoy driving in the rain while it’s dark outside; even more so when I’m in an unknown area. This is one of those trips that got the best of me here… I needed tack sharp concentration on the long, twisty roads because the windshield wipers couldn’t keep up with the buckets of rain these storm clouds were dropping. Let’s just say I’m glad this ride is done with and behind me.

Scottish Calm (Scottish Highlands Calm Before the Storm)

Before the weather turned into a giant mess, the clouds swirled viscously around the greenery and I found this juxtaposed tree in a scene that really does a great job of displaying the Scottish Highland’s grandeur. It was particularly difficult to keep the camera dry enough to salvage the shot, but I managed. Patience and persistence…

Scottish Highlands Calm Before the Storm

Filed Under: 365 Project // Tagged:

Edradour Distillery and Whisky Trails

Posted on August 19, 2012 // Leave a Comment

Edradour Distillery is known as Scotland’s smallest whisky distillery, but don’t let that fool you into thinking it’s not worth the visit. This place is the real deal and in my Scotland experience, Edradour gives the best whisky tour out of the few I visited. I say this because the master distillers know their whisky, will correct your misconceptions (if you have any), and go out of their way to please your taste buds. I enjoyed Edradour’s tour, but the real treat comes afterward.

Contrary to what you might read on Trip Advisor or the other travel review sites, their tasting room cost (cash bar) is disclosed up front before your tour tickets are purchased and it’s made crystal clear that additional whisky can be purchased for a modest fee after the tour. Some people complain that it’s not free anymore… well, I will happily fork over a few pounds for a dram (or three) from a fine selection of whisky that can’t be found anywhere else.

Not only does Edradour have a fantastic whisky selection, this distillery is the only one I visited in Scotland that allowed us to sample “The Angel’s Share,” which is defined as the percentage of evaporated whisky in the air during the casking period that’s been left for the angels to enjoy.

“The Angel’s Share” in the warehouse is enough to get you wobbly!

Whisky Trails

We opted to take the “whisky walk” to the Edradour Distillery. Unfortunately, we had to skip Blair Athol’s tour because tickets were sold out. Rick Steve’s “whisky walk” suggestion to hit these back-to-back left us hanging. So, in order to avoid the wasted trip to Edradour, we called ahead to make sure there were openings.

We’re good to go. The “Edradour Walk” was underway… wait, where are the trail markings? Yeah… it took a little while to get the hang of things, but we finally found our way to the Black Spout, which is a medium sized waterfall on the way to the distillery.

The trail markings were great up to the point “Edradour Walk” disappeared. We were faced to make a choice at a fork in the trail with different, but similar colored arrows; if I remember correctly, there was a yellow arrow with a white circle and a green arrow with a clear circle.

We made the wrong decision and instead of getting to the distillery, we trudged through really high grass that had not been cut in months. We were also in the middle of a midge gathering. Don’t breathe… carbon dioxide only attracts more of these annoying bugs. No, must… stop. Whisky Trails is born.

A scenic vantage point on the way to the Edradour Distillery in Pitlochry, Scotland

*** For those of you interested, I found the “distillery,” which was actually hidden in a neighbor’s basement. No, that’s not true, but I did think I found it and proceeded to ask the gentleman out front gardening if I had finally made it to Edradour. He smiled, then led me through his private entryway to an unmarked road pointing in the direction to go. ***

Filed Under: 365 Project // Tagged:

Driving in Scotland and 12 Miles to Mallaig

Posted on July 9, 2012 // 2 Comments

Where to begin… well, driving in Scotland is a challenging experience, that’s for sure! At least for an American…

Driving in the UK is the complete opposite to what we’re accustomed to. The driver seat is on the right of the car and the cars drive on the left side of the road. So when you have oncoming traffic, cars whizz by you on your right, a sensation that I haven’t felt since acquiring my driving permit years ago.

Okay, that bit is tough at first in its own right, but that’s not the only challenge here. If I’m not completely in shock already, the roads outside modern cities are extremely winding and narrow. Eek! I cringed at the sight of oncoming traffic on more than one occasion, but I will say this… once you acclimate yourself for a day or two, driving in Scotland is like wearing an old hat; it just feels right! Ah, I meant left. Sorry for the bad joke…

We toured the country in what was essentially a clockwise circle that originated in Glasgow and worked our way north and west till we reached Inverness. We had fantastic opportunities to see the Highlands and their breathtaking views along the way. Rain clouds loomed and were never too far from sight; that’s okay because rain is beautiful in Scotland. It has this way of amplifying color–especially the greens.

12 Miles to Mallaig

The Highlands are truly beautiful and worth seeing firsthand if the opportunity presents itself. The scenery changed dramatically from flat land to jagged rocks and huge green rolling hills (I may be a little off with that statement because I had my eyes glued to the road in total concentration for a lot of the drive).

We were on our way to the Mallaig ferry when I spotted a patch of Fox Glove overlooking a loch with green landmass in the distance (that’s a lake for you westerners). I don’t remember too many of the location details, only that we were "12 Miles to Mallaig."

A dynamic landscape that depicts foxglove and yellow flowers in the foreground and a loch with green islands all under an overcast and moody sky.

Filed Under: 365 Project // Tagged: , ,

Abroad in Scotland and Prince William Gets Knighted at St. Giles Cathedral

Posted on July 6, 2012 // Leave a Comment

My fiance and I just took our first trip to Europe together – Scotland was the logical choice; neither of us have ever been, so this trip was exciting in more ways than one! I scrambled to get the necessary paperwork together since I’ve never really needed a passport before. Expediting is a godsend by the way and well worth the added fee.

Scotland, UK was our number one choice for a few reasons…

  1. We discovered the Rock N’ Roll marathon series sponsors a half marathon here (no, we didn’t run on this trip, thankfully).
  2. Scotland received rave reviews by close friends and relatives.
  3. The Highlands are absolutely gorgeous.
  4. Whisky. Enough said.

Driving on the other side of the road was challenging and made me cringe quite a few times on the narrow, winding roads facing oncoming vehicles overstepping their boundaries, but I wouldn’t have done this trip any other way; I also have a new appreciation for Ford and a diesel engine.

Our trip began in Glasgow after an overnight flight. We drove in a clockwise circle through Loch Lomond, Oban, Mull, Iona, Glencoe, Isle of Skye, Inverness, Pitlochry, St. Andrews, and finally Edinburgh, the country’s capital city.

To sum up this trip in one word… epic. Scotland is beautiful, the food is fantastic, the cask beer is to die for, and the whisky and distillery tours are worth the trip alone.

Prince William Gets Knighted at St. Giles Cathedral in Edinburgh

Part II of our trip was in Edinburgh; we stayed for three full days. Unknown at the time of booking this trip was the fact that Prince William was being knighted at St. Giles Cathedral into the Order of the Thistle. The Queen was also visiting her home at Holyrood Palace for the week so street parking was a bit chaotic at times. Also, I was a little bummed that we couldn’t enjoy high tea at the palace cafe. Maybe next time I’ll get a personal invite. I can only dream…

Prince William was knighted into the Order of the Thistle Thursday morning, which from what I understand is the highest order in Scotland. The only Order that precedes this is the Order of the Garter in England, which he also previously received. Cool stuff! And noble!

I had an opportunity to take a few photos at St. Giles Cathedral on Wednesday morning while most of the population was still having breakfast. I paid my £4 £2 to the cathedral and had to move quickly before visitors washed into my photos. I found the perfect vantage point, set up, and clicked a few frames. Here is the end result of today’s post. Enjoy!

A symmetrical wide angle photo of St. Giles Cathedral pillars, stained glass, altars, and old stone.

Filed Under: 365 Project // Tagged: ,
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