Thomas Coleman was a practicing printmaker, born in 1935. He joined the University of Nebraska art department in 1963 and ran the intaglio area. He added lithography to the program in 1966. He had one-man shows at colleges and museums such as the Minneapolis School of Art, Wichita Art Museum, Amarillo College, Colorado State University and more. After his passing there was a memorial exhibition of his work shown at the Sheldon Memorial Art Gallery in Lincoln, Nebraska.

He is from the Midwest and his work habits were heavily rooted in Midwestern traditions. His labor was rhythmic and persistent. His imagery was even somewhat midwestern. His often complicated imagery was often derived from humanistic form. He pulled a lot of his inspiration from experience. Many of his subjects were his wife and children. The majority of his work seems to be of serious nature, but he does have the occasional light-hearted humorous pieces, like his print “Study for Sculpture” which is centered around a pizza eating contest, complete with cheerleaders.

This specific print that we have in collections at the LSC Art Program is titled K.H. It is an intaglio print that is ten inches by thirteen inches. He made this print in 1966 and I’m assuming the LSC Arts Program acquired it after Thomas had his show in the Curfman Gallery. This print is a figure piece, showing a young woman looking somewhat sorrowful and looking into the distance. It could possibly be his wife since it was known he used her often as his subject matter. Then in the background there is a darkened figure who seems to be holding a bouquet of some sort and gazing at the female figure in the foreground. He made an edition of 25 of this specific print.