Accomplished watercolor artist, T.F. Hempel, is known for his ability to make his paintings come to life. His creations include a wide array of subject matter, but his specialties are boats, barns, and bungalows, as well as other buildings and landscapes. Mr. Hempel has been painting for almost 50 years, creating beautiful works of art like no other!
T.F. Hempel has sold over 1700 paintings to date, including both prints and originals. Each is signed and numbered. Just a few of his many customers include: Chad Pregracke (Living Lands & Waters), CNN’s 2013 Hero of the Year; Todd Hamilton (Pro Golfer), winner of 2012 British Open; Ed Froelich, Quad-City Times Bix 7 Race Director.
Mr. Hempel’s paintings are displayed on business walls throughout the Quad-Cities region. In addition, he has received several awards, including: second-place in the country by the National Indie Excellence Awards (NIEA) for his coffee table art book (entitled “Boats, Barns and Bungalows”); People’s Choice Award through the Figge Art Museum and Beaux Arts; and River Renaissance Award of Merit (Best of Show for Watercolors). Mr. Hempel also teaches his craft to others in various venues and attends multiple art shows and sales throughout the year.
On a section of the border between Iowa and Illinois is the only place in the nation where the Mississippi River runs east to west. On either side of this section is a multi-city area called the “Quad Cities,” where Mr. Hempel grew up and where he continues to call home still today. It’s also the place where he discovered his love of painting at 12 years old, thanks to an advanced art class in school. After high school graduation in 1964, life happened (as they say) and Mr. Hempel put down his brush. For the next 12 years, the brush sat idle …
Mr. Hempel went on to proudly serve his country with the U.S. Army as a Construction Engineer, serving one year in Vietnam. He then joined the private workforce and eventually retired. During these years, he met his future wife, Marti, who was instrumental in reconnecting Mr. Hempel to his artwork. When Marti learned that he had once been so passionate about painting, she encouraged him to visit a quaint, older shopping district near their home, known as the Village of East Davenport, and to paint a red brick structure there. Little did she know, she was setting the wheels in motion and Mr. Hempel did as she suggested. The building he chose to paint was owned by Boyler’s Ornamental Iron Company and had begun as a livery stable in the late 1800’s. A perfect subject matter for a perfect new beginning. When his newest painting was complete, Mr. Hempel took it to have it matted and framed so it could be properly displayed in his and Marti’s home. While Mr. Hempel was waiting in line at checkout, an elderly gentleman approached him and offered to buy his beautiful creation. Mr. Hempel had never yet sold any of his artwork, as he had been painting strictly for pleasure. He told the elderly gentleman it wasn’t for sale, accepted his business card, and headed home. When Marti learned of the encounter, she suggested her husband call the number on the business card to tell the elderly gentleman he had reconsidered. Not only did this man become Mr. Hempel’s first paying customer with this purchase, he also commissioned Mr. Hempel to paint his home as well. The year was 1975. The spark had reignited.
T.F. Hempel – “Tom” – finds that artists, unlike some other professions, can look at age as strictly a virtue. He feels that time and experience are excellent teachers in his trade and that artistry helps keep a mind sharp while avoiding a physical toll on the body. Tom remains blessed with good health and looks forward to many more years of creating masterpieces.