Thomas W. Brown
A self-taught fine arts printmaker, Thomas embodies expression, craftsmanship, and dedication. His journey is verification to the power of hands-on expertise and a colorful imagination.
Thomas's journey in the arts began in a screen printing shop, in Nashville Tennessee and continued in Southwestern Pennsylvania, where he honed his skills over nearly a decade learning the trade in different environments which provided him with practical insights and into the craft. Simultaneously, he undertook a self-guided exploration of Lino-cut and woodblock printmaking. Armed with determination, he hand-drew intricate designs and meticulously carved them into linoleum and wooden blocks, creating unique pieces.
In 2012, Thomas's path intersected with Sara Starr, also an artisan, hand in hand they stepped into a world of art that opened a whole new chapter.
Their unique approach involved intertwining carved woodblocks with letterpress equipment and type. The outcome being one-of-a-kind posters that seamlessly blended traditional and contemporary techniques.
Studio Evolution: Thomas commitment to his craft led him to build and relocate studios three times. Taking on the construction of the studio's and moving the equipment mostly himself, reflecting his unwavering dedication. These studios became sanctuaries where his hands and eyes transformed raw materials into expressive art.
Thomas evades from modern technology in his design process. His creations emerge solely from his hands and imagination. The absence of digital tools emphasizes his deep connection to the artistic process.
The absence of formal education in fine arts doesn’t hinder Thomas's creative capacity. His consistent self guided study and passion to create, fuels his artistic journey, leading him to find in the cracks, incredible teachers he would never find in just one institution.
In Thomas's prints, we witness the magic of self-taught artistry.
Sara Starr Shoemaker
Developing a deep connection with nature from an early age, Starr’s creativity reflects the richness, beauty, and adaptability of the natural world that continues to inspire her life and work. With roots in the stream banks and rolling hills of Southwestern Pennsylvania, her creative path is shaped by a devotion to place, a reverence for cycles, and a commitment to crafting a life in rhythm with the earth. Embracing an intuitive approach to life and art, her life's path has led her to explore a multitude of creative realms, never settling on just one.
As a curious learner who thrives in out of the box environments, Starr found that traditional education didn’t quite resonate in the ways she naturally engaged with the world For her, extensive formal training often dulled the instincts and visions that made her feel most alive. Yet still, she tested the waters of collegiate studies in Graphic Design and Art education, that offered growth and perspective -yet She found that her creative horizons expanded most through self-directed exploration—by walking her own path, in her own timing, absorbing through experience, trial, pauses, pivotal moments, and unwavering perseverance.
In collaboration with her husband and creative partner, Thomas, new layers always unfold. Together, they create work that reflects not just their vision but the real work of living it—navigating change, adapting, starting over, staying with it. They see the obstacles they’ve moved through—not as failures or stopping points, but as thresholds and growth posts. Over time, Starr has come to see obstacles as invitations. Not just things to “push past,” but places to listen, compost, rework, and grow. That perspective, more than anything, has shaped her creative life and how she shows up in the world.
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