Born in Dayton, Ohio, painter Tim O'Toole's enthusiasm for drawing and painting began at an early age. He was encouraged by his parents and their circle of friends, many of whom were professional painters and sculptors, and he found himself surrounded from the onset by a wealth of creativity and a celebration of personal expression.

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He attended Dayton Art Institute and later recieved a Bachelor of Fine Art degree from the University of Cincinnati in Ohio. Among the influences that Tim finds the most inspiring are the visually expressive works of John Singer Sargent, Joaquin Sorolla, French Impressionist Claude Monet and Andrew Wyeth. In fact, in his early twenties, he moved to West Chester County in Pennsylvania and followed in the footsteps of Wyeth, capturing the beauty of the surrounding countryside in drawings and paint, and even paid homage to this Twentieth Century master by choosing Wyeth's home as a subject for his own work. It is no wonder that today his landscapes and nature paintings show a tranquil sophistication and skillful manipulation of color and light that is reminiscent of the Hudson River School. Whether he paints a luminous sky as twilight fades over a country glade, or a garden alive with color on a summer afternoon, there is a sense of order in his idealization of nature and a peaceful grandeur to be found in his work.

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In addition to his time spent in Ohio and Pennsylvania capturing the wonders of nature for his art, Tim has spent over twenty years in Colorado working on location to hone his skill as a master landscape painter, "The best thing about plein-air painting is being outdoors," the artist explains. "When I am in the field, I react to whatever captivates me and work quickly to capture what I see as the light changes. It's a mental exercise. When a scene captivates my attention, I paint, spreading the paint over the canvas using brushes, palette knives and my fingers -- anything to capture the moment." Therefore, Tim's art is always changing and evolving. 

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Tim has given workshops and demonstrations in this country as well as abroad with emphasize on Asian countries. While in Asia, Tim studied the Japanese fine art technique of creating multiple patterns in a solitary piece of art. This technique can be seen as an influence in a number of his floral still life paintings.

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When Tim O'Toole is not in the great outdoors rendering its beauty in paint, he enjoys tennis, skiing and swimming. He now calls Arizona home and attests that his family, as well as painting, are the driving passions of his life.

 

Tim's work can be found in corporate and private collections around the world.