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      Late Night Reflections

      Discover Alma Thomas (1891-1978), a pioneer of the Washington Color School! Explore her vibrant abstract paintings inspired by nature, space & rhythm. A groundbreaking Black female artist.

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      Total Price

      $ 269

      Late Night Reflections

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      Total Price

      $ 269

      After a long career as a public school art teacher in Washington, D.C., Alma Thomas began to gain serious acclaim as one of the foremost abstract painters of her day. Thomas developed a personal style by covering her canvases with small, colorful, tile-like brushstrokes inspired by natural forms. An uncharacteristic work, Late Night Reflections is an example of the vertical-dash compositions of her

      Questions & Answers

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      A Guide page is available for "Late Night Reflections" by Alma Thomas: a printable factsheet about the artwork, designed for students and classroom use.

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      The X-Ray page of "Late Night Reflections" by Alma Thomas is an interactive viewer that lets you slide through eleven optical layers of the artwork's image, including an X-ray style view.

      Where can I find statistics about "Late Night Reflections" by Alma Thomas?

      The Stats page of "Late Night Reflections" by Alma Thomas presents public visit statistics: monthly visits of this artwork, a comparison with the artist's most viewed works, and where its visitors come from.


      Artist Biography

      Alma Thomas: A Life in Color

      Early Life and Education

      • Born: 1891 in Columbus, Georgia, Alma Woodsey Thomas was the eldest of four children. Her parents were John Harris Thomas, a businessman, and Amelia Cantey Thomas, a dress designer.
      • The family relocated to the Logan Circle neighborhood of Washington, D.C., in 1907 due to racial violence and seeking better educational opportunities.
      • Early Artistic Inclinations: From a young age, Thomas displayed artistic talent, creating puppets and sculptures at home.
      • She attended Armstrong Technical High School, taking her first formal art classes.
      • Thomas pursued education at Miner Normal School (later University of the District of Columbia) from 1911 to 1913, focusing on kindergarten education.

      Career as an Educator

      • Thomas began her career as a substitute teacher in Maryland before securing a permanent position in 1914.
      • From 1916 to 1923, she taught kindergarten at the Thomas Garrett Settlement House in Wilmington, Delaware.
      • In 1921, she enrolled at Howard University as a home economics student but soon switched her focus to fine art under James V. Herring.
      • Groundbreaking Graduate: She earned her B.S. in Fine Arts from Howard University in 1924, becoming the first graduate of the university’s fine arts program.
      • Thomas dedicated over three decades to teaching at Shaw Junior High School (1924-1960), fostering a community arts program that included marionette performances and student-designed holiday cards for veterans.
      • She earned her M.A. in Art Education from Columbia University in 1934, and continued studies at American University under Jacob Kainen (1950-1960).

      Artistic Development & Influences

      • Early Style: Thomas’s early work was representational, but her style evolved towards abstraction through studies with Herring and Lois Mailou Jones.
      • Key Influences: She drew inspiration from West African paintings, Byzantine mosaics, and the color field movement.
      • Her exposure to the work of the New York School and Abstract Expressionism at American University significantly impacted her artistic direction.
      • She was inspired by Matisse’s cutouts, notably reinterpreting “The Snail” in her painting “Watusi (Hard Edge).”

      Mature Work & Artistic Style

      • Color Field Paintings: Thomas became known for her vibrant, abstract color field paintings characterized by pattern, rhythm, and bold use of color.
      • Her work often reflected themes inspired by nature, space, and music.
      • Notable Works: Include “Watusi (Hard Edge),” “Celestial Fantasy,” “Wind and Crepe Myrtle Concerto,” and “Sky Light.”
      • She frequently sought inspiration from the effects of light and atmosphere on rural environments, often driving into the countryside with friend Delilah Pierce.

      Recognition & Legacy

      • Late Recognition: Thomas gained significant recognition after her retirement from teaching in 1960.
      • Her first retrospective exhibit was held at the Gallery of Art at Howard University in 1966, curated by James A. Porter.
      • Groundbreaking Exhibition: In 1972, she became the first African American woman to have a solo exhibition at the Whitney Museum of American Art and the Corcoran Gallery of Art in the same year.
      • Thomas passed away in 1978, leaving behind a legacy as a pioneering artist who defied labels and embraced her creative vision.
      • Historical Significance: Alma Thomas’s work challenged racial barriers within the art world and contributed significantly to the development of abstract expressionism and color field painting.
      Alma Thomas

      Alma Thomas

      1891 - 1978

      Quick Facts

      • Name: Alma Thomas
      • Movement:
        • Washington Color School
        • Abstract Expressionism
        • Color Field Painting
      • Birth Date: 1891
      • Death Date: 1978
      • Birth Place: Columbus, Georgia
      • Nationality: American
      • Date Of Birth: 1891
      • Date Of Death: 1978
      • Influenced By:
        • James V. Herring
        • Lois Mailou Jones
        • Jacob Kainen
        • Matisse
      • Notable Works:
        • Watusi (Hard Edge)
        • Celestial Fantasy
        • Wind and Crepe Myrtle Concerto
        • Sky Light
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