Welcome to the Studio of Thomas Hodges

thanks for your comment Thomas :) i had to figure out how to answer :)lol

Dear Thomas, happy xmas ! Some good news for you. I got one of my pieces into a public collection in Toronto. My next goal is to get into a public collection in London. Best regards from Luke.

Nice to meet you, Thomas.

I read your biography which is very interesting. I was hoping you may be able to give me some advice, I hope you don't mind me asking. I am saving up to leave my job in market research which i've done for 13 yrs, in order to pursue a career as a painter. I see you left the world of finance and went on to achieve great work in the creative fields. Congratulations to you!

I am currently showing work in two venues, have sold about 13 pieces in the last 8 months, and have 3 commissions on the go, plus a line in greetings cards. It's just tricky to balance this with full-time work. I have a real feeling this is my calling, however, and am going to follow it, as I can't not, but it will be rather a different lifestyle to the one i'm currently used to!

Anyhow, your story is very inspiring. Thank you - Rachel

Thanks, Thomas!

Well he may have had a good idea, the problem is that he did not make it a rule, only a letter to those teachers.

I was thinking about your topic of the exploitation of women. I recently read a story about an exhibit in Guangzhou, at the Guangdong Museum of Art. The show was a collection of nude photos and paintings from around China. People for the most part seemed upset about the exhibit and could not understand why the museum would show such a display of work. As you have been to China I know that you could appreciate the idea of how crazy it is for people to be so upset about the exhibit. Well I was doing research and found that in 1947 some teachers were upset that an art school in Guangzhou hired nude models for an art class. So angered by the idea they decided to write a letter to Chairman Mao asking for his guidance, and he wrote back stating that when it comes to art and science they could not close their minds and ideas based on cultural values. I find it funny that even in todays society people are so closed off to the ideas of exploring humanity through the undertanding of and the examination of life.

Hi Thomas - thank you ! Yes you are right the magazine coverage is only part of the picture but I still find it captivating.

I remember quite a lot of points you made up on the artists marketing salon. However I have a question that I don't think got covered. I have been selling art now for 5 years but still have not had a show at a 'big' gallery or any gallery with international visibility. Does that devalue the work (not the selling value but overall value). By this I mean do you consider one to one sales and commissions to count in light of the career of a given artist.

I only say this because every gallery I have approached have basically said they are not open for submissions (ie the submission process has been closed off).

But the question of the overall value of my work lingers because I have created just over 1600 works including 250 paintings. Your insight would interest me greatly (only if you have time). Best, Luke

Dear Thomas,

I saw your discussion on the exploitation of women on the home page - although it is obviously an older post. It has come up quite a bit recently that many people have joined since last December who have strange opinions about art. But in fairness this is an open platform as you mentioned and a democratic one - so unfortunately there will be people who may place their jusgements on you.

You have been supportive of my work in the past so I would like to say something supportive. If you believe in your work and no one is getting hurt then it is indeed art. The only thing that remains after those two points is the obvious one that it needs to be seen by people and 'taken in' before it grows as a 'body of art'. But you seem to have that point covered well because of your magazine coverage. I love your work and believe strongly it is nothing but art !! Best from Luke ;;==)

Hi Thomas , nice to have a friend with affinity to Thailand
On Artist Cafe comment was for you,
Very beautiful work , amazing and unexpected , thanks
for sharing .