Mark Flawn Thomas

Pat Coombs

Major collector and former member of the Acquisitions Committee of The Tate

The first time I saw his work, I knew absolutely that this is what he should be doing.

During the last five years we have developed a kind of partnership, drawing and painting side by side particularly at Stowe School. He is adept at choosing a suitable subject whether it be a temple view or interior. His attitude is extremely positive and his vigorous approach shows in his pithy drawings. He prefers pen and ink with washes and can sum up a scene with great acuity. He gets the atmosphere and captures the detail to make a conceptual whole. With obsession he teases out the image.

Dr  Anthony Wallersteiner

Headmaster of Stowe

Mark Flawn-Thomas heeded JF Roxburgh’s dictum that each boy leaving Stowe would know beauty when he sees it all the rest of his life. His use of cobalt blue, reminiscent of Delftware and the finest Chinese porcelain, has become his distinctive trademark in capturing the ethereal ambience of grottos, follies, lakes and bridges in the neo-classical splendour of Stowe’s landscaped gardens. Mark banishes the Sturm and Drang existential angst of much contemporary landscape art in favour of a lightness of touch and an optimistic aesthetic lyricism which runs through each piece. He deftly captures the contours of buildings and landscape with pen and brush, adding colour in the style of Renoir to give the English countryside an infusion of much needed continental warmth. I am reminded of Keats’ “Flora and the country green, Dance, and Provençal song, and sunburnt mirth” - these are images which call out for a draught of vintage and evoke the magical innocence of early summer when the sap rises, the skies clear, sweetbrier flowers, white hawthorn buds and thoughts turn to love. 

James & Tessa de Salis

We commissioned Mark to paint our house and have loved his work ever since. He brings a vibrancy and life to a picture which captures a moment in time and the essence of a scene. We also love his cards of our house and keep a regular supply.