Roy Thomas (artist) facts for kids

Roy Thomas (1949–2004) was a very important Anishinaabe painter from Canada. He was famous for his bright and colourful paintings of animal spirits. These paintings often showed animals in a special, symbolic way.

Roy Thomas became well known in the late 1960s and early 1970s. This was a time when art by Indigenous artists, like his friend Norval Morrisseau, started to become very popular.

About Roy Thomas

Early Life and Education

Roy Thomas was born in Caramat, Ontario, Canada, in 1949. When he was a child, in the late 1950s, his family moved to the Long Lake 58 Reserve in northern Ontario. Like many other First Nations young people at that time, he attended a special school for Indigenous children.

His Unique Art Style

Roy Thomas developed a very special way of painting. His art often showed animals and spirits with bold lines and bright colours. This style is part of what is called the Woodlands style of art. You can see his unique way of painting in the works of many younger First Nations artists today. This is because he helped teach and guide many of them.

His Legacy

Roy Thomas was a very influential artist. He helped bring Indigenous art to a wider audience. His paintings continue to inspire many people. He passed away in 2004.