Elin Thomas has been painting professionally in both acrylics and oils since 1983.  Her representational work is sold through her web sites and blog, and she has won top awards in national juried shows featuring traditional art, equine art and dog art.  

She is a past president and emeritus member of the Women Artists of the West, and a past member of the International Society of Acrylic Painters, and a former full member of the American Academy of Equine Art. 

Her background includes live painting sessions and workshops with the following noted artists: Richard Schmid, Michael Obermeyer, Joyce Pike, Ovanes Berberian, Al Broiulette and Robert E. Wood—all of whom influenced her painting processes. She’s been called the “fastest brush in the West” when doing on-location painting, completing a painting in about 40 minutes.  

She currently owns and rides a motorcycle, which she uses to travel to many gorgeous locations for camping, painting and loving life. Her dog Bessie is a companion on these journeys.

She is the creator of the Color System for Artists and has produced seven instructional DVDs on painting methods and color use, all of which are now free to watch on YouTube.  Her Color System Flash Cards revolutionized painters’ color choices.  She is the author or co-author of five Walter Foster books on acrylic painting and horses. This artist paints many new works each year, which find their way into an ever-growing group of collectors—proud owners of an original "Elin". 

Her strengths continue to be in her teaching, however. She conveys strong design principles when she juries a show, and shares many tips and tricks during a demonstration. You can find her on the web as she continues to teach the skills of color and painting in both media.  You can find her on Facebook under “Elin Thomas Art and Travel Blog”.