Biography
Born in Manhattan, Kansas, Kirk Tatom began his formal art training at the University of Utah from which he obtained a B.F.A. on a full merit scholarship. He also studied for three years at the Kansas City Art Institute.
Kirk Tatom was one of the foremost carvers of stone in Santa Fe for nearly 20 years. Tatom’s success in sculpture was his unique ability to create unquestionably original abstract avian forms. In 1997 he put down the chisel and picked up the paint brush, with success following once again. He’s noted for painting the lush green fields and farms of this country. Tatom gravitates towards the rural landscapes where he often finds cows, horses, sheep and peaceful streams.
Preparation of the panel requires placing texture exactly where it belongs. The surface may be sanded, scraped, polished, scored then washed, stained, and glazed. Following this process are the elements of a landscape; a boat, a vineyard, trees, animals. He often has as many as ten paintings in the works at one time.
Tatom pays great attention to the craft of his landscape paintings. He heightens their impact with exquisitely hand carved, gold leafed frames built by his father and brother.
Kirk Tatom has an extensive show history which includes: the Denise Roberge Gallery in Palm Desert California, Harmon Meek Gallery in Naples Florida, Sardella Fine Art in Aspen Colorado, Selby Fleetwood Gallery in Santa Fe, New Mexico, and Craighead Green Gallery in Dallas Texas.
Collections and Commissions
Utah Museum of Fine Arts, Salt Lake City, Utah
City of Greenville, Greenville, Texas
Art Museum of South Texas, Corpus Christi, Texas
Old Jail Art Center, Albany, Texas
First Union Bank of Nashville, Nashville, Tennesee
Staats International, Boston, Massachusetts
Cal-Surance Associates, Inc., Torrance, California
Bruce Lindstrom, La Fonda Hotel, Santa Fe, New Mexico
James Seitz, Santa Fe, New Mexico
Sam Ballen, La Fonda Hotel, Santa Fe, New Mexico
Arndt and Associates, Tempe, Arizona
Baptist Medical Center of Oklahoma, Inc., Okalahoma City
St. Vincents Hospital, Santa Fe, New Mexico
George Michael, California/London
Awards
Artist in Residence, Sitka Center, Otis, Oregon.
Founders Series Recipient, 1993.
Publications
Focus (2002,2001,2000,1995,1988)SFE, Summer/Fall 1989
Palm Springs Life, October 1988
Designers West Magazine, August 1987
SFE, Summer/Fall 1987
Reflections of the Southwest Calendar, Baptist Medical Center, Oklahoma City