Tom Eckert
(watercolor / acrylics)

Though a life long admirer of fine art, I began my own work in watercolor in this latter chapter of my life in my retirement years. At the beginning of this period in 1997, I received instruction in watercolor painting from the late Guy Slover. I was under his instruction for a weekly two-hour art lesson, one-on-one for an entire year. Along with watercolor, I produced some works in pencil. More recently, I have experienced a new paragraph in this chapter of my life by doing abstracts in mixed media–watercolor, acrylics, and paper.Realizing the necessity of continuing to get new ideas and learn new or different methods, I have participated in workshops by Daniel Blakeman, Bill Leonard, Elizabeth Ellison, Bobbie Brown Marsh, Pat Aube Gray, Nancy McDonald, Joseph Fettingis, Pam Pate, and Isabel Cohen. I am an associate member of the Tennessee Watercolor Association.I have received numerous awards in a variety of art exhibits and juried events. I belong and participate as a member of: The Cumberland Artisans for Creative Expression, aka CACE, The Art Guild at Fairfield Glade, The Oak Ridge Art Center and the Upper Cumberland Arts Alliance, aka UCAA.Fred Babb once wrote: "When an artist is caught up in his work, only the presence of the moment exists." I, too, experience this and I find a great sense of joy and accomplishment when involved in painting and drawing. It is a time when all other cares and concerns fade away.My wife, Sharron and I are residents of Uplands Retirement Village in Pleasant Hill, TN. As an ordained clergyman of the United Church of Christ, I have served parishes in Ohio, Kentucky, Michigan and Tennessee. I am currently serving as the part time pastor of the United Church of Cookeville, United Church of Christ. tomeckert@frontiernet.net

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2009 UCAA OFFICERS:
PRESIDENT: ALICE MAIWALD
SECRETARY: SHARRON ECKERT
TREASURER: JERRY STOUT