Thomas Locker, RIP

Catskill (2005)

Today's local paper reports the death of Thomas Locker, a remarkable painter and teacher, on March 9. A memorial service is scheduled at Hawthorne Valley School on Sunday.

The area lost one of its most eloquent voices for art, nature and history on Friday with the passing of artist Thomas Locker, but the power and strength of his legacy will continue to influence the 21st century inheritors of the Hudson River School of Painting.

Locker, a former longtime resident of Stuyvesant and most recently of East Jewett, has received wide recognition and acclaim for his works, which include not only his great number of paintings, but more than 30 children’s books, many of which he not only illustrated, but wrote as well.

His subject matter and style, reminiscent of 19th century Hudson River School of Painting luminaries Thomas Cole, Asher B. Durand, Jasper Cropsey, and their peers, was at the forefront in reintroducing appreciation for the Hudson River School among today’s artists.

There is a beautiful, large example of his work in the Stuyvesant Town Hall.

He will be missed.