Margaret Thomas (painter) facts for kids

Margaret Thomas (born September 26, 1916 – died March 27, 2016) was a talented British painter. She was especially known for her beautiful paintings of still lifes and flowers. Her artworks were highly praised and can be found in many public art collections across the UK.

Becoming an Artist

Margaret Thomas was born in London, England, on September 26, 1916. When she was 12 years old, her governess introduced her to Ethel Walker and other women artists. Margaret later showed her own paintings in the same art shows as Ethel Walker.

In 1934, Margaret began studying art at Sidcup School of Art. She then won a scholarship to study at the Slade School of Fine Art in London. For her last year of art school, she studied at the Royal Academy Schools. Her teachers there were Thomas Monnington and Ernest Jackson. Even in 1938, her paintings were getting noticed. A newspaper called The Observer wrote about an art show, saying that Margaret Thomas's painting, 'Flu,' was one of the best pieces.

Art During Wartime

During World War II, the Royal Academy Schools closed down. Margaret moved to the countryside in Wiltshire. She found a lot of ideas for her art in nature. She once said, "I often paint flowers that are dying." She explained that even fading flowers can look beautiful and interesting. She liked to show how flowers change as they grow and mature.

A Successful Career

After the war, Margaret Thomas became a well-known artist. She painted many portraits for people. She also had her own art shows. Her first painting shown at the famous Royal Academy Summer Exhibition was Still Life of Norfolk Ham in 1943. She continued to show her art there for 46 years in a row!

In 1947, she became a member of the Royal Society of British Artists, known as R.B.A. Her first solo art show was at the Leicester Galleries in London in 1949. People said her work was unique. She was very good at using oil paints to show different shades and colors. She also arranged her flowers and still-life objects with great style.

In 1950, she joined the New English Art Club. The next year, in 1951, she became a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts. In 1956, at an exhibition with sixteen painters, Margaret's paintings were called the most interesting. Her larger artworks showed a "remarkably subtle exact sense of tone and colour."

Exhibitions and Studios

Margaret Thomas showed her art in many group exhibitions. These included shows with the New English Art Club, the Royal Society of British Artists, and the Royal West of England Academy. She was also a strong supporter of the Women's International Art Club.

For many years, Margaret worked in London. She also had a second art studio in Edinburgh starting in 1956. In 1984, she moved to a converted watermill in Ellingham, near Bungay in Suffolk. Margaret Thomas passed away on March 27, 2016, just before her 100th birthday.

Awards and Recognition

Margaret Thomas received several important awards for her art:

• 1971: De Lazlo Medal, from the Royal Society of British Artists
• 1981: Hunting Group Award, for Oil Painting of the Year, for her painting The Rembrandt Drawing
• 1996: De Lazlo Medal, from the Royal Society of British Artists (again!)

Where to See Her Art

Margaret Thomas's paintings are part of many public and private art collections in the UK. Some of these places include:

• Government Art Collection
• Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art
• Guildhall Art Gallery
• Ferens Art Gallery
• National Museum Wales (Outreach Collection)
• National Library of Wales
• Royal West of England Academy
• Trinity Hall, University of Cambridge
• Charleston Farmhouse
• Tullie House Museum and Art Gallery
• Williamson Art Gallery and Museum
• Paisley Museum and Art Galleries
• Gregynog Hall
• Greenway Estate (National Trust)
• Arts Council England Collection
• City Art Centre (Edinburgh Council)
• Ingram Collection of Modern British Art
• Stanley & Audrey Burton Gallery (University of Leeds)
• Paintings in Hospitals