Art Thomas

Art Thomas, it appears, has vanished from the public eye altogether. He is/was an accomplished artist and also dynamic figure in the art world. I met him in Atlanta at the Atlanta College of Art. He went on to Santa Fe, New Mexico where he organized the Armory For The Arts (now a solid institution) and the popular Salon des Refusés exhibition held concurrently with The Santa Fe arts Festival. Sometime in the 1980's he moved to Charleston, South Carolina and opened a successful Print-making studio and then opened his own gallery in the historic section of Charleston through the early 1990's. I had two exhibitions there. Upon closing the gallery he retired from all his former activities and became more and more obscure. There are rumors about his whereabouts but nothing is certain.

a charming colored pencil drawing of the "Bunk House" at the Turner Ranch in Arroyo Hondo, New Mexico..where many of our friends stayed over a couple of decades.

My exhibit at The Art Thomas Gallery, 2 Queen Street , Charleston...with Art, Eva Carter and myself.

Kathleen Howren-Alderman 1909-84

This is my Maternal Grandmother, Kathleen Howren. Without her guidance and encouragement the probabilities would have been quite different. She gave me books, took me on "rides" to "see the sights" and permitted me to rummage through her old photographs. She also allowed me to live with her during my Senior Year of High-School after I left my Parents. She treated me with respect and full trust. I hope she is yet a guiding Spirit.

Victor Seijas - 193?-1999

This is my uncle - Victor Seijas - 193?-1999
There were three sons in this family -Ernest,Raymond (my father) and Victor.
When Victor died, Ernest was first contacted, told no-one and took charge of the cremation. He did not claim the ashes and no other ceremony or even obituary was given. No-one knew until after he fact that his death had been ignored.
Yet in life he was a simple, sweet human being, always full of cheer.
This is his only memorial.

Victor - looking hip circa 1970's