About Tom

 The earliest art influences on me were the Sunday comics in the Daily Press newspaper. I grew up in the 1970s, and I used to lie on the floor at my Grandmother’s house and look at them before I could read or write. Once I learned to read and write in elementary school, I still loved the Sunday comics and discovered magazines such as Cracked, Cartoons, and Mad. My sense of humor and love for social commentary came from these images and words printed on paper. Art became my favorite subject in all levels of secondary school. In 7th grade, we had the option of taking Art as a class instead of it being an activity. I loved going to Mrs. Hatch’s class and being creative with my peers. There, I discovered my love of the artwork of Matisse, Van Gogh, and Andy Warhol. These three artists have remained with me even in adult life. Norman Rockwell is also an influence, but I could find him on the walls of local doctors' offices or at the newsstand of the local drugstore. I took 3 years of mechanical drafting in high school, and in my senior year, I took an art class.  

I joined the military after graduating from high school in 1989. I joined for three years, and my military occupation speciality was an 88Mike - Motor Transport Operator. I wanted to be a truck driver like my father. Riding in big trucks from Virginia to the midwestern states in my youthful summers were a highlight of my childhood. Seeing the world passby in the big windshields gave me my need for travel and see the U.S.A. My father was into photography in the 1970s and that perked my interest in cameras and documentation. Family photo albums gave a sense of history and the importance of documenting people and their lives. In the early 90s, I would pick up a camera and eventually would use it as reference for my artwork and to develop my photography skills. Toward the last year of my military service, I bought a set of colored pencils and a drawing pad. I drew people from magazines and vehicles. 

During the fall of 1995 and the spring of 1996, I took classes at Christopher Newport University (Newport News, Virginia). I was going to major in sociology until I took an art history class. The wanderlust in me was tired of working full-time as a security guard at night and taking classes during the day. I started a sketch book during that time to keep my mind and hands busy. One day during my commute between Williamsburg and Newport News, the idea came to me to move to Maine, as I had visited the state once and wanted a new start. I researched universities and colleges in Maine and Vermont. I requested information from both the University of Maine and Vermont. I selected Maine and moved in the summer of 1996. I was originally majoring in Art Education to be on a path to teaching in public schools. During my first drawing and painting courses of the fall semester, I changed my major to Studio Art. I studied 2-D and 3-D design, drawing, painting, sculpture, art history, alternative art forms, and art welding. I graduated in May 2000. 

After graduation, I became a working artist. I worked a regular paying job while still painting and photographing my travels in my spare time. My subjects ranged from landscapes, people, self-portraits, and trucks. I added pet portraits after getting several commissions for them. I won a few accolades during the first decade, including Best of Show and Best Artwork (Adult) at the Bangor State Fair. I earned a 3rd place award in a show by the Bangor Arts Society. I exhibited my artwork a few times at the Bangor Public Library. During this time period, I taught Painting with Acrylics for Bangor Adult Education. I taught the class for about 15 years. I taught Begining guitar during the same time period until 2020. I had my first photography show at the Bangor Children’s Museum. I participated in their fundraising auction for several years by painting objects or donating work. During the same time period, a few painting gift certificates were donated to the Charlie Howard Memorial Foundation’s fundraisers. I was also involved with the design of the memorial. It was an experience in public art that steered me away from such projects later in life. In 2008, I began photographing vintage trucks, reviving my interest in big trucks and transportation in general. I continued to paint but became involved in the old truck world and the American Truck Historical Society. I purchased my first vintage semi truck project in 2009. My creative work has been juggled between photography, art, and learning sheet metal restoration. The Art welding class really helped, as I remembered the skills training from it. I am still working on my old International truck when I have extra dollar bills that don’t need to go to the bill and life collectors. I paint mostly in the winter and fall, and find time for my old truck in my summer open-air garage. My photography is year-round as I coordinate and photograph trucks for the ATHS - Pine Tree Chapter’s annual Antique Truck calendar. My DSLR cameras or my smartphone are also by my side when I travel. In the last five years, I have been exploring acrylic painting techniques, continuing self-directed learning in the sign arts and donated charity panels to the Vintage Torque Fest annually in Dubuque, Iowa. 

Want to immerse yourself in the world of art and culture? Tom Hudgins Art  organizes and participates in various art events, exhibitions, and workshops that celebrate creativity and diversity.

Looking for professional advice on art selection, investment, or collection management? Tom Hudgins Art  offers art consulting services to help you make informed decisions and maximize your art experience.