About the Artist...

About the Artist...

Near the small town of Monroe in southeastern Oklahoma, flanked by the Poteau Mountains on one side and the Poteau river bottoms on the other, Tom Blaylock spent his childhood surrounded by wildlife. Roaming the hills and lowlands as a child he found inspiration at an early age in the beauty and splendor of his surroundings.

Today, Tom translates that inspiration into intricate carvings from northern bass wood and acrylic paintings.  Choosing his subjects based on a recent sighting or an old memory that happens to surface, he claims that deciding which  idea to bring to life is often the most  difficult decision.

After graduating from Poteau high school in 1968 Tom attended Carl Albert Junior College until 1970, then moved to Stillwater, Oklahoma in 1970 to attend Oklahoma State University where he received a B.S. degree in 1972. After college graduation, Tom started Blaylock Construction Company in Stillwater.  As a general contractor and developer in central Oklahoma for the past thirty years, Tom admits that his business demands a lot of his time. In spite of that he claims "I have never lost my interest in the beauty and grace, freedom, and excitement, I see in wildlife and spend every free minute I can in the wild."

After seeing his first duck carving at a small wood carving show in 1986 his art career began.  That outing motivated him to see if he could turn a block of wood into one of the beautiful, intriguing carvings that he had observed. Although not too pleased with his first attempt, the encouragement of family and friends helped him to produce a much-improved second carving.  From then on the passion developed to obtain as much realism as possible in his carvings.

In 1991 Tom participated in the Oklahoma Wildlife Art Show -- his first art show. He was so encouraged by that experience he applied for and was accepted  to, the 1992 Ducks Unlimited National Wildlife Art Show in Kansas City an equality exciting and rewarding experience! In 1993 one of his entries in the Oklahoma Wildlife Art Show, "Pentail Drake in Flight"  was awarded Best of Show. That piece currently graces the office of Mr. Harold C. Stuart, Tulsa, Oklahoma.

When asked to describe some highlights of his career, Tom humbly replies, "To have been able to study under Mr. Jim Sprankle and Mr. Bob Guge and to be able to call both my friends; winning my first Best of Show award in a juried art show; and having people enjoying my work in there homes and offices from coast to coast".

Tom welcomes e-mail or phone calls regarding his work.  Parties interested in commissioning a piece or seeing more of his work should contact him to set up a time to meet at Crosstimbers studio or at an art show.