the collector's folio

Alma Thomas Most Popular Paintings

The 25 artworks by Alma Thomas our visitors ask for most, ranked by popularity and presented one by one, with the specification and the price of each hand-painted reproduction.

Edition 2026 · 25 artworks Each artwork painted to order
Linen canvas · Certificate of authenticity · Delivered worldwide Alma Thomas · 1891 – 1978

Light Blue Nursery

1968 · Smithsonian American Art Museum, Washington, D.C. · original 124 x 121 cm

Alma Thomas (1891-1978) was a trailblazing African American artist who championed geometric abstraction and celebrated the beauty of color. Her work gained recognition after she retired from teaching art at Washington's Shaw Junior High School, establishing her as one of America’s foremost painters.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 1 of 56 artworks by Alma Thomas
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17731 × 32 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$587121 × 124 cm Commission at original size

Celestial Fantasy

1973 · Smithsonian American Art Museum, Washington, D.C. · original 152 x 137 cm

Experience the vibrant, abstract energy of Alma Thomas's 1973 Celestial Fantasy, featuring soft yellow and pink strokes against a serene blue backdrop; discover this masterpiece today.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 2 of 56 artworks by Alma Thomas
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17730 × 33 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$755137 × 152 cm Commission at original size

Breeze Rustling Through Fall Flowers

1968 · The Phillips Collection, Washington, D.C.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 3 of 56 artworks by Alma Thomas
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17737 × 27 cm Commission this artwork

Untitled

1960 · The Studio Museum in Harlem, New York City

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 4 of 56 artworks by Alma Thomas
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17735 × 28 cm Commission this artwork

Atmospheric Effects II

1971 · original 56 x 77 cm

Explore Alma Thomas’ "Atmospheric Effects II" – a vibrant 1971 acrylic painting of bold color blocks & dynamic lines. Abstract expressionism meets color field, evoking joy & optimism.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 5 of 56 artworks by Alma Thomas
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17737 × 27 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$27577 × 56 cm Commission at original size

Atmospheric Effects I

1970 · original 56 x 77 cm

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 6 of 56 artworks by Alma Thomas
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17737 × 27 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$27577 × 56 cm Commission at original size

Atmospheric Effects I

1970 · original 56 x 77 cm

Explore Alma Thomas’ "Atmospheric Effects I" – a vibrant abstract painting of layered blues & bold color bands. Expressionist textures & geometric forms create an energetic, melancholic masterpiece.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 7 of 56 artworks by Alma Thomas
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17737 × 27 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$27577 × 56 cm Commission at original size

Snoopy Sees Earth Wrapped in Sunset

1970 · original 122 x 122 cm

Vibrant red and yellow concentric patterns define this captivating 1970 abstract painting by Alma Thomas, offering a rhythmic burst of color that invites you to bring this soulful masterpiece into your collection.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 8 of 56 artworks by Alma Thomas
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17732 × 31 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$583122 × 122 cm Commission at original size

Light Blue Nursery

1968 · original 124 x 122 cm

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 9 of 56 artworks by Alma Thomas
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17731 × 32 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$590122 × 124 cm Commission at original size

Sky Light

1973 · original 172 x 127 cm

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 10 of 56 artworks by Alma Thomas
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17727 × 37 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$785127 × 172 cm Commission at original size

Snoopy Early Sun Display on Earth

1970 · original 127 x 122 cm

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 11 of 56 artworks by Alma Thomas
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17731 × 32 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$601122 × 127 cm Commission at original size

Aquatic Gardens

1973 · original 183 x 132 cm

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 12 of 56 artworks by Alma Thomas
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17727 × 37 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$851132 × 183 cm Commission at original size

Untitled

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 13 of 56 artworks by Alma Thomas
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17734 × 29 cm Commission this artwork

Etude in Blue

1966 · SCAD Museum of Art, Savannah

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 14 of 56 artworks by Alma Thomas
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17726 × 39 cm Commission this artwork

Deep Blue

1974 · original 57 x 78 cm

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 15 of 56 artworks by Alma Thomas
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17737 × 27 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$27978 × 57 cm Commission at original size

Late Night Reflections

1972 · Nasher Museum of Art at Duke University, Durham · original 73 x 111 cm

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 16 of 56 artworks by Alma Thomas
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17739 × 25 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$386111 × 73 cm Commission at original size

Grey Night Phenomenon

1972 · original 175 x 135 cm

Experience 'Grey Night Phenomenon' by Alma Thomas – a vibrant 1972 abstract painting featuring blue & yellow patterns. Explore Washington Color School art & a unique Black female artist’s vision.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 17 of 56 artworks by Alma Thomas
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17728 × 36 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$836135 × 175 cm Commission at original size

Before Autumn

1974 · original 56 x 76 cm

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 18 of 56 artworks by Alma Thomas
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17737 × 27 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$27376 × 56 cm Commission at original size

Watusi (Hard Edge)

1963 · original 121 x 112 cm

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 19 of 56 artworks by Alma Thomas
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17730 × 33 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$544112 × 121 cm Commission at original size

Earth Sermon Beauty, Love And Peace

1971 · original 183 x 132 cm

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 20 of 56 artworks by Alma Thomas
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17727 × 37 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$851132 × 183 cm Commission at original size

The Stormy Sea

1958 · original 122 x 106 cm

Explore 'The Stormy Sea' by Alma Thomas – an abstract expressionist masterpiece of blues & tans. Layered impasto, dynamic composition, & symbolic depth. A unique piece for art collectors.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 21 of 56 artworks by Alma Thomas
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17729 × 34 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$526106 × 122 cm Commission at original size

Oriental Garden Concerto

1976 · original 173 x 137 cm

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 22 of 56 artworks by Alma Thomas
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17728 × 35 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$838137 × 173 cm Commission at original size

The Stormy Sea

1958 · original 122 x 106 cm

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 23 of 56 artworks by Alma Thomas
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17729 × 34 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$526106 × 122 cm Commission at original size

Red Abstraction

1959 · original 102 x 71 cm

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 24 of 56 artworks by Alma Thomas
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17729 × 34 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$36171 × 102 cm Commission at original size

Fall Begins

1976 · original 132 x 114 cm

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 25 of 56 artworks by Alma Thomas
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17730 × 34 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$588114 × 132 cm Commission at original size

The artist

Alma Thomas

1891 – 1978

Quick facts

Creative periodsmature period
Movementsabstract expressionism, washington color school
Best occasionsaccent
Copyright statusUnder copyright
Also known asAlma Woodsey Thomas, Alma W. Thomas, ألما توماس, Alma Thomasová, アルマ・トーマス
Top-ranked workLight Blue Nursery
Art periodModern
Corpus themescolor field painting, abstract expressionism, washington color school, geometric abstraction, nature's harmony

Biography

Alma Thomas: A Life in Color

Early Life and Education

Born: 1891 in Columbus, Georgia, Alma Woodsey Thomas was the eldest of four children. Her parents were John Harris Thomas, a businessman, and Amelia Cantey Thomas, a dress designer.
The family relocated to the Logan Circle neighborhood of Washington, D.C., in 1907 due to racial violence and seeking better educational opportunities.
Early Artistic Inclinations: From a young age, Thomas displayed artistic talent, creating puppets and sculptures at home.
She attended Armstrong Technical High School, taking her first formal art classes.
Thomas pursued education at Miner Normal School (later University of the District of Columbia) from 1911 to 1913, focusing on kindergarten education.

Career as an Educator

Thomas began her career as a substitute teacher in Maryland before securing a permanent position in 1914.
From 1916 to 1923, she taught kindergarten at the Thomas Garrett Settlement House in Wilmington, Delaware.
In 1921, she enrolled at Howard University as a home economics student but soon switched her focus to fine art under James V. Herring.
Groundbreaking Graduate: She earned her B.S. in Fine Arts from Howard University in 1924, becoming the first graduate of the university’s fine arts program.
Thomas dedicated over three decades to teaching at Shaw Junior High School (1924-1960), fostering a community arts program that included marionette performances and student-designed holiday cards for veterans.
She earned her M.A. in Art Education from Columbia University in 1934, and continued studies at American University under Jacob Kainen (1950-1960).

Artistic Development & Influences

Early Style: Thomas’s early work was representational, but her style evolved towards abstraction through studies with Herring and Lois Mailou Jones.
Key Influences: She drew inspiration from West African paintings, Byzantine mosaics, and the color field movement.
Her exposure to the work of the New York School and Abstract Expressionism at American University significantly impacted her artistic direction.
She was inspired by Matisse’s cutouts, notably reinterpreting “The Snail” in her painting “Watusi (Hard Edge).”

Mature Work & Artistic Style

Color Field Paintings: Thomas became known for her vibrant, abstract color field paintings characterized by pattern, rhythm, and bold use of color.
Her work often reflected themes inspired by nature, space, and music.
Notable Works: Include “Watusi (Hard Edge),” “Celestial Fantasy,” “Wind and Crepe Myrtle Concerto,” and “Sky Light.”
She frequently sought inspiration from the effects of light and atmosphere on rural environments, often driving into the countryside with friend Delilah Pierce.

Recognition & Legacy

Late Recognition: Thomas gained significant recognition after her retirement from teaching in 1960.
Her first retrospective exhibit was held at the Gallery of Art at Howard University in 1966, curated by James A. Porter.
Groundbreaking Exhibition: In 1972, she became the first African American woman to have a solo exhibition at the Whitney Museum of American Art and the Corcoran Gallery of Art in the same year.
Thomas passed away in 1978, leaving behind a legacy as a pioneering artist who defied labels and embraced her creative vision.
Historical Significance: Alma Thomas’s work challenged racial barriers within the art world and contributed significantly to the development of abstract expressionism and color field painting.

Questions & Answers

How do I find works by Alma Thomas in a specific palette?

Alma Thomas's works can be browsed by color palette on the artist's By Palettes page.

Can I browse Alma Thomas's works by medium?

Alma Thomas's works can be browsed by medium on the artist's All Medium page.

In which movements did Alma Thomas work?

Alma Thomas's works can be browsed by movement on the artist's All Movements page.

By the WikiOO.org Editorial Team Updated Oct. 16, 2026

Collector's quiz

Alma Thomas is most closely associated with which art movement?
What prompted Alma Thomas's family to move from Georgia to Washington D.C. in 1907?
Before dedicating herself fully to painting after retirement, Alma Thomas worked primarily as a…?
In 1972, Alma Thomas achieved a significant milestone by becoming the first African American woman to have a solo exhibition at which museum?
Thomas's painting 'Watusi (Hard Edge)' was inspired by a song and the work of which artist?

one You choose the size

Standard formats or any custom dimension, matched to the proportions of the original.

two We paint and send a preview

A photo of the finished canvas for your approval before it is shipped.

three Delivered, certified

Rolled, stretched or framed, insured, with a certificate of authenticity.

Commission your Alma Thomas

Every artwork by Alma Thomas in our catalog can be painted to order, in the size that suits the room.

All artworks by Alma Thomas