About Tom Applegate

I've always been drawn to the wild—mountains, deserts, and oceans have shaped both my experiences and my art. Growing up in the Arizona desert, I spent my childhood exploring the outdoors, referred to as the desert rat, I developed a lifelong love for nature. When I moved to San Diego at six, that love only deepened. I spent my days in the canyons, on the beaches, and out in the desert, surfing whenever I could. Later, I moved north and threw myself into rock and mountain climbing, scaling walls and peaks from Canada to the Sierra Nevada. When I moved back to the coast and climbing wasn't as accessible, I used my pilots license I had received years earlier and pursued aerobatic flying, competing in high-performance aircraft and took up surfing again. These experiences often pulled me away from painting, but my connection to the natural world—and to art—never faded. After retiring from aerobatics, I returned to painting with a renewed focus, bringing all those experiences back into my work.

For 30 years, I worked as a wildlife biologist, spending most of that time along California’s coastline. That work gave me an even deeper appreciation for the landscapes and wildlife that inspire my art.

I started painting as a child, studying the Old Masters and working in realism before evolving toward a blend of abstraction and representation. My work isn’t about precise depictions—it’s about capturing the energy, movement, and atmosphere of a place. Whether through rich textures or bold, fluid brushstrokes, I aim to evoke a sense of being there—or longing to go.

I paint primarily in oil paint on panels, which I craft myself under the name Sierra Art Panels. Making my own surfaces is part of my process, ensuring quality and a direct connection to every piece from start to finish.

If you're interested in purchasing original artwork or discussing a commission, feel free to reach out.