Thomas Pringle
1941 - 2021∙ CE artist from 2006 - 2021
Photo by Peter Prato
Thomas Pringle (b. 1941) was a realist painter with an artistic career that spanned over two decades. By the time he joined Creativity Explored in 2006, he was already a well-known artist throughout Austin, Texas, where he worked with another local artist to create elaborate installations in their apartment that incorporated Pringle’s wheelchair. "What I see is what I draw," he remarked, gaining inspiration for his portraits from women of the 60s and 70s.
Pringle started each piece with a sketch on paper with graphite, then often crossed those lines with thick layers of paint. He had a remarkable ability to capture the personality and vibrance of his subjects, which included icons like Cher and Elizabeth Taylor. His portraits were often accompanied by vibrant backgrounds that create visual reverence for his subjects. Pringle also made the occasional appearance in local art films, particularly at Sonoma State. His artistic practice was intersectional and coincided with his love of film and community engagement. Pringle is remembered fondly by his colleagues and teaching artists as “fanciful,” sociable, and dedicated to his work.
In 2010, Recchiuti Confections chose a quartet of his colorful canine portraits to adorn their fourth series of artisanal chocolates. His work was featured at the Museum of Craft and Design in 2021, as well as Untitled Art Fair in the year before. In January 2020, Pringle debuted his first solo exhibition at the CE gallery, appropriately titled Ladies Man. Pringle’s work continues to be an integral part of CE, and continues to be included in exhibitions locally and across the country.
Select Exhibitions & Projects
2025
“Creativity Explored Outer Space,” Outer Space Gallery, Conford, NH
2024
“The Record Store,” Creativity Explored, SF, CA
2023
“Eneight Vase,” Creativity Explored, SF, CA
2021
“Mode Brut,” Museum of Craft and Design, SF, CA
2020
UNTITLED ART FAIR , San Francisco, CA
Thomas Pringle: Ladies Man, Creativity Explored, San Francisco, CA
The Grand Finale, Spark Arts, San Francisco, CA
2017
Bride of Monster, Creativity Explored, San Francisco, CA
Exposed, Creativity Explored, San Francisco, CA
2016
Pass Away - Dia de los Muertos Altar, Davies Symphony Hall, San Francisco, CA
Ripe, Creativity Explored Gallery, San Francisco, CA
All My Artwork, Creativity Explored 2, San Francisco, CA
2014
StereoTYPE, Creativity Explored, San Francisco, CA
INK, Creativity Explored, San Francisco, CA
A Curious Menagerie, Creativity Explored, San Francisco, CA
Bookworks: Text and Art from the CE Archives, SF Public Library Main Branch, San Francisco, CA
2013
SIDESHOW, Creativity Explored, San Francisco, CA
2012
I have never really taken the time to look, Accident and Artifact, San Francisco, CA
Creativity Explored at Ambach & Rice, Ambach & Rice, Los Angeles, CA
2011
Pro Arts Juried Annual 2012, Pro Arts, Oakland, CA
Structure, Creativity Explored, San Francisco, CA
SMALL, Creativity Explored, San Francisco, CA
Faces, Jack Fischer Gallery, San Francisco, CA
The Masters, Creativity Explored, San Francisco, CA
Black and White and Read All Over, Creativity Explored, San Francisco, CA
2010
Spectrum, Creativity Explored, San Francisco, CA
2009
"Science" Fiction, Creativity Explored, San Francisco, CA
Inscriptions, Creativity Explored, San Francisco, CA
Repetition, Creativity Explored, San Francisco, CA
TV and Me, Creativity Explored, San Francisco, CA
2008
Fibrocosm, Creativity Explored, San Francisco, CA
Tasty, Creativity Explored, San Francisco, CA
2007
Super Heroes Super Villains, Creativity Explored, San Francisco, CA
Transmissions, Creativity Explored, San Francisco, CA
