Meet Thomas Lockhart III of New Life Design

I went to college for graphic design, but I have always had a passion for painting and illustration. I am a self-taught artist, born and raised in Denver, Colorado. My college days were spent in Tempe, Arizona and then I returned to Colorado. I spent time in San Antonio and Atlanta, GA as well, but I kept returning to my birth state. There is something about Denver that I love so much. After college, I worked various jobs, all the while applying for work in the graphic design field. I finally found a job in graphics in 2000.

In the meantime, I did freelance work on my own. I really started to pursue art in 2002. My passion for it was growing. Later I was introduced to a gallery here in Colorado (Golden Galleries). I begin to create work for them to sale, while I worked my regular job. My work has been all over the United States in various shows and festivals. I have even had some work sales out of the country. I love working with youth in art. I have been blessed to be asked to come to many schools and show kids about my work and techniques.

From 2007 to 2017, I worked for a money carrier, Colorado State Corrections Officer and a bail bondsman. In the midst of all that, I continued to draw, paint and create graphics for companies and myself.

In 2017, I took a leap of faith to become a full-time artist. I began to network and do shows and festivals all over the US. Just last year I have done events in New York, Washington DC, California and Miami. I have even had commissions from celebrities to create art for other celebrities like writer, producer actor, studio owner and moral, Tyler Perry. I have been commissioned to create art for the 5 Points Business District and other businessmen and women around the country as well as display my work in colleges and museums. I have been blessed and very humbled that I have been able to use my talent to inspire many people.

My prayer is to help many others along the way as I continue to grow as a professional artist. I will continue to learn and immerse myself in art and history. I want to become a well-known artist around the world that is known far beyond just my art, creativity, but for helping create the positive change, we need to see in each other as humans. It’s far more important that I can leave a lasting impression on mankind than just for myself.

This road has not been smooth by any means. You have times where you may want to give up and quit, but what will that do. Quitting is too easy and far less satisfying. I owe it to myself and others to give more of myself. I once heard from an amazing speaker Dr. Myles Monroe that we owe each other our gifts and talents. So quitting would be selfish. I have gone to shows across the country and have been told one thing and get there and no one purchases art from none of the artists. Shows with bad promotion and people with their own personal gain. Through all of this, you must press on because a non-stop attitude is what will lead you to your future. Don’t look for success look to become a person of value. When you have value, people will come looking for you.

My Business is based around creativity. I am a professional artist. I paint and illustrate in the fine art genre. I am very proud to get to share my thoughts in an artist form with the world. I love to inspire others to step out of their mental box and see things from a different perspective. The main objective of being set apart from others is not that I start with a blank canvas or that I draw my from many ideas, what sets me apart is that I pray over my work before I begin and I let my faith lead me through the process.

I believe that as I become more of a person of value, than I will experience more successes. I want my art not to be work for me but a blessing that I can leave this world better for us all. I know that is a big challenge for me, but anything worth doing can always come with a challenge.