T. Allen Lawson
Encyclopedia
T. Allen Lawson is an American artist recognized for his landscape paintings of Wyoming and Maine subjects, and is perhaps best known for having painted the White House
Christmas card
in 2008. His work is characterized by patient observation of nature and an interest in abstract design. He is a resident of Rockport, Maine
.
, and attended the College of Santa Fe
, the American Academy of Art
in Chicago, and the Lyme Academy College of Fine Arts
, where he studied with Deane G. Keller
and Aaron Shikler
; he also was mentored by artist Ned Jacob. After his studies he returned to the west to paint the landscape around Jackson, Wyoming
, participating in pack trips with fellow plein air painters. Initially a pure landscape painter, Lawson has more recently introduced historical references into his work; he joined a colleague in following the entire route taken by the Lewis and Clark expedition
, which served as the theme for a series of paintings depicting sites along the trail as they appear today.
He has exhibited in numerous galleries and museums, including The Haggin Museum, the University of Wyoming Art Museum, the Museum of the Rockies
, the Capitol Hill Club
and the Caucus Room of the Russell Senate Building in Washington, D.C.
His work has been featured in publications including Western Art & Architecture, American Art Collector, PleinAir Magazine, Southwest Art, and American Artist. Among the public collections holding work by Lawson are the Portland Art Museum
, Farnsworth Art Museum
, Buffalo Bill Historical Center
, Florence Griswold Museum, and Forbes Magazine Collection.
The painting used for the White House Christmas card depicts the view from the Truman Balcony
, and shows the Washington Monument
and Jefferson Memorial
in the distance. It is now part of the permanent collection of the White House.
Lawson is married to writer Dorie McCullough, daughter of author and historian David McCullough
, whose influence the artist acknowledges. "What I’ve learned to appreciate from my father-in-law is that history isn’t behind us. Those who made it may have come before us. They are leading the way and we are following in their footsteps."
White House
The White House is the official residence and principal workplace of the president of the United States. Located at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW in Washington, D.C., the house was designed by Irish-born James Hoban, and built between 1792 and 1800 of white-painted Aquia sandstone in the Neoclassical...
Christmas card
Christmas card
A Christmas card is a greeting card sent as part of the traditional celebration of Christmas in order to convey between people a range of sentiments related to the Christmas and holiday season. Christmas cards are usually exchanged during the weeks preceding Christmas Day by many people in Western...
in 2008. His work is characterized by patient observation of nature and an interest in abstract design. He is a resident of Rockport, Maine
Rockport, Maine
Rockport is a town in Knox County, Maine, United States. The population was 3,209 at the 2000 census. Rockport is a popular tourist destination and art colony.-History:...
.
Biography
Lawson was born and grew up in Sheridan, WyomingSheridan, Wyoming
Sheridan is a city in Sheridan County, Wyoming, United States. The 2010 census put the population at 17,444 and a Micropolitan Statistical Area of 29,116...
, and attended the College of Santa Fe
College of Santa Fe
Santa Fe University of Art and Design is an institution of creative and performing arts based in Santa Fe, New Mexico. The university offers programs in creative writing, theatre, art, graphic design, moving image arts , music, and photography, based on a liberal arts core curriculum...
, the American Academy of Art
American Academy of Art
The American Academy of Art is a professional, accredited fine arts school located in downtown Chicago, Illinois. It was founded in 1923 for the education of both fine and commercial arts students. The school has a tradition of top art education with exceptional students being awarded the academy's...
in Chicago, and the Lyme Academy College of Fine Arts
Lyme Academy College of Fine Arts
The Lyme Academy College of Fine Arts is an art college in Old Lyme, Connecticut-History:The Lyme Academy College of Fine Arts was founded in 1976 by Elisabeth Gordon Chandler as a figurative academy for the teaching of sculpture, figure drawing, Illustration and painting dedicated to the fine arts...
, where he studied with Deane G. Keller
Deane G. Keller
Deane Galloway Keller was an American artist, academic and author. Keller was a draftsman, painter, sculptor, and teacher who instructed students in the visual arts for forty years, most notably in figure drawing and the artistic application of human anatomy...
and Aaron Shikler
Aaron Shikler
Aaron Shikler is an American artist noted for portraits of American statesmen and celebrities like Jane Engelhard and Sister Parish....
; he also was mentored by artist Ned Jacob. After his studies he returned to the west to paint the landscape around Jackson, Wyoming
Jackson, Wyoming
Jackson is a town located in the Jackson Hole valley of Teton County, Wyoming, United States. The population was 8,647 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Teton County....
, participating in pack trips with fellow plein air painters. Initially a pure landscape painter, Lawson has more recently introduced historical references into his work; he joined a colleague in following the entire route taken by the Lewis and Clark expedition
Lewis and Clark Expedition
The Lewis and Clark Expedition, or ″Corps of Discovery Expedition" was the first transcontinental expedition to the Pacific Coast by the United States. Commissioned by President Thomas Jefferson and led by two Virginia-born veterans of Indian wars in the Ohio Valley, Meriwether Lewis and William...
, which served as the theme for a series of paintings depicting sites along the trail as they appear today.
He has exhibited in numerous galleries and museums, including The Haggin Museum, the University of Wyoming Art Museum, the Museum of the Rockies
Museum of the Rockies
The Museum of the Rockies, is located in Bozeman, Montana. The museum, originally affiliated with Montana State University in Bozeman, and now, also the Smithsonian Institution, is known for its paleontological collections, although these are not its sole focus...
, the Capitol Hill Club
Capitol Hill Club
The National Republican Club of Capitol Hill, commonly known as the Capitol Hill Club, is private social club for Republicans in Washington, D.C. It was established in 1951 by former New Jersey Congressman James C...
and the Caucus Room of the Russell Senate Building in Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
His work has been featured in publications including Western Art & Architecture, American Art Collector, PleinAir Magazine, Southwest Art, and American Artist. Among the public collections holding work by Lawson are the Portland Art Museum
Portland Art Museum
The Portland Art Museum in Portland, Oregon, United States, was founded in 1892, making it the oldest art museum on the West Coast and seventh oldest in the United States. Upon completion of the most recent renovations, the Portland Art Museum became one of the twenty-five largest art museums in...
, Farnsworth Art Museum
Farnsworth Art Museum
The Farnsworth Art Museum in Rockland, Maine, United States, is an art museum that specializes in American art. Its permanent collection includes works by such artists as Gilbert Stuart, Thomas Sully, Thomas Eakins, Eastman Johnson, Fitz Henry Lane, Frank Benson, Childe Hassam, and Maurice...
, Buffalo Bill Historical Center
Buffalo Bill Historical Center
The Buffalo Bill Historical Center is a complex of museums displaying artifacts and art of the American West located in Cody, Wyoming. Founded in 1917, the Buffalo Bill Historical Center is the oldest museum in the West...
, Florence Griswold Museum, and Forbes Magazine Collection.
The painting used for the White House Christmas card depicts the view from the Truman Balcony
Truman Balcony
The Truman Balcony is the second-floor balcony of the Executive Residence of the White House, which overlooks the south lawn. It was completed in March 1948, during the presidency of Harry S. Truman.-Controversy over construction plans:...
, and shows the Washington Monument
Washington Monument
The Washington Monument is an obelisk near the west end of the National Mall in Washington, D.C., built to commemorate the first U.S. president, General George Washington...
and Jefferson Memorial
Jefferson Memorial
The Thomas Jefferson Memorial is a presidential memorial in Washington, D.C. that is dedicated to Thomas Jefferson, an American Founding Father and the third President of the United States....
in the distance. It is now part of the permanent collection of the White House.
Lawson is married to writer Dorie McCullough, daughter of author and historian David McCullough
David McCullough
David Gaub McCullough is an American author, narrator, historian, and lecturer. He is a two-time winner of the Pulitzer Prize and the National Book Award and a recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the United States' highest civilian award....
, whose influence the artist acknowledges. "What I’ve learned to appreciate from my father-in-law is that history isn’t behind us. Those who made it may have come before us. They are leading the way and we are following in their footsteps."