By Dodie Smither
Special to The Inyo Register

4-29-2008

At 98 years young, Carroll Thomas presides over the artistic domain of Thomas Gallery, located alongside U.S. 395 in Big Pine, where he can be found painting several hours every day except Wednesday, when the gallery is closed.
Thomas opened the gallery two years ago on April 29, which also happened to be his 96th birthday, to exhibit his original paintings as well as reproductions and a small selection of artwork from other artists.

When not painting, he can often be found walking to the canal or on exercise equipment, which helps to explain the incredible fitness that belies his 98 years. As Bishop resident Bob Rice said, “Carroll looks like he could just strap on his backpack and head for the mountains with no problems at all.” Thomas’ sense of humor certainly helps him to stay young, along with the 21 vitamins that he has taken daily for the last 20 years. But Thomas claims that “climbing mountains has put me in great physical shape for a long life.”

Carroll Thomas, owner of Thomas Gallery in Big Pine, holds one of his more recent pieces. Thomas turns 98 today. Photo by Bob Rice

Living in Manitou, Colo. as a youth, he hiked up to the top of Pike’s Peak many times and didn’t slow down until he was in his 80s.
“I don’t have time to think about age,” and would rather paint, he said, sometimes spending as much as two or three months perfecting a piece. Most of his inspiration now comes from 2-1/4 by 2-1/4 slides using a rear projection system. “It’s like looking out the window,” he explained, adding, however, that painting from photos is not as good as real life, “unless you’ve had that real outdoor experience which is what gives you the depth and the third dimension.” He often uses several slides to create the compositions that show his love and admiration for nature and the outdoors.
Fishing, hunting, hiking and being outdoors come naturally to Thomas, who spent much of his life hiking in the Sierra with his painting gear and survival necessities. One trip lasted three-and-a-half months and included hiking 430 miles from Mariposa, past Devil’s Post Pile and all through the Owens Valley, including to the top of Mt. Whitney. The journey yielding many wonderful memories as well as paintings.
With a wealth of stories to tell, he can engage a customer or friend with unlimited adventures, many illustrated with the vast array of landscapes on display in his gallery. More than 200 pictures include mountains, valleys, deserts, as well as wolves, bobcats and mountain lions that hang near bass, trout and other fish tempting the fisherman and admirer both. There’s even a piglet who seems to smile a greeting among the rows and rows of reproductions available at a lower cost to consumers than the original oil paintings.
One of his most recent paintings of a gnarly, twisted bristlecone pine has been purchased but is still in the gallery awaiting pick-up. Another recent painting is of the cart of flowers outside of Rossi’s Restaurant in Big Pine, which adds to the collection of local images.
Being a painter and gallery owner has been part of his life for many years, with his latest gallery before moving to Big Pine located in Tahoe, west of Highway 50 near Tamarack Flat above Twin Bridges. There he supervised a trout pond in addition to the gallery.
Now he enjoys talking with visitors who stop at the north end of Big Pine and enter through the white picket fence to enjoy the many paintings by the delightful Big Pine artist. Celebrating life every day comes easily for Carroll Thomas as he marks his 98th birthday today.