The Life and Art of Thomas C. Lea III
Thomas Calloway Lea III was an American muralist, illustrator, artist, war correspondent, novelist, and historian. Born in El Paso, Texas, his early life was marked by the presence of his father, who served as the mayor of El Paso. During a period when Pancho Villa raided Columbus, New Mexico, the Lea family lived under 24-hour guard. After graduating from El Paso High School in 1924, he attended the Art Institute of Chicago and apprenticed with the muralist John W. Norton. His travels included a tour of Europe, visiting cities such as Paris, Florence, Orvieto, Rome, and Capri.
A Career of War and Westward Themes
Lea's professional life was deeply connected to the American Southwest and his experiences during World War II. As a war artist and correspondent for LIFE magazine, he traveled through China, Great Britain, Italy, India, North Africa, the Middle East, and the Western Pacific. His time with the United States 1st Marine Division at the Battle of Peleliu resulted in some of his most impactful works, including The Two-Thousand Yard Stare and The Price. His artistic repertoire also featured public murals in various locations, such as:
- The United States Post Office Department Building in Washington, D.C.
- Odessa, Texas
- Pleasant Hill, Missouri
- Seymour, Texas
Beyond visual arts, he was a celebrated author of novels including The Brave Bulls and The Wonderful Country. His work often focused on the Texas frontier, cowboys, and landscapes.
