In the Studio: Painting Half Dome, Remembering the Climb
There’s a nearly finished painting in the studio right now—a realistic take on Half Dome in Yosemite Valley. The granite is catching the...
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Art Inspired from a life spent outside and on the edge.
Climbing remote rock walls and mountains. Surfing California’s legendary breaks. Solo traveling the deserts and high country of the Southwest. Flying high-performance airplanes. These haven't been pastimes—they have been a way of life. It taught me how to see, how to feel, how to be present.
My art echoes what remains after the wind dies down and the silence sets in.
Featured Collection
A curated selection of my latest works and collector favorites. This featured collection highlights recent creations and sold works that continue to inspire. Browse available pieces or explore more in the full portfolio."
The Artist
My art is inspired by my time spent in the mountains, ocean and raw expanse of the desert. My life as a rock and mountain climber, surfer, outdoor explorer, wildlife biologist, business owner and pilot continues to fuel my work. Trained by studying the old masters in my youth and painting since childhood, my style evolved from pure realism to a distinctive blend of abstraction and realism. Working in oil on my hand crafted Sierra Art Panels, I create pieces that invite the viewer to experience the world reimagined.
Artist Collaborator: Sandra J. Schultz
Wildlife artist, biologist, and collaborator — painting bold, intuitive works.
Wildlife artist and painter Sandra J Schultz creates powerful, expressive works — usually on Sierra Art Panels. Her paintings blend her years as a wildlife biologist, intuition, and raw understanding of natures beauty.
Sierra Art Panels, By Tom Applegate
Custom art panels for serious artists and collectors
Built to paint on and made to last. Sierra Art Panels are handcrafted one by one in my studio, in the California foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Each panel is a collaboration between engineering, tradition, and a painter’s instinct — created for artists who value integrity in their materials and permanence in their work.
Used by professionals, trusted by galleries, and chosen by artists who care about surface as much as subject, these panels offer a rigid, archival foundation without compromise.
Whether you’re working in oil, acrylic, or mixed media — or want something custom-fit to your vision — these are panels you can build a body of work on.
Work With Tom
Consulting and Creative Support
I work one-on-one with collectors, designers, and artists who want more than just a product — they want a creative partner. Whether you're sourcing original art for a project, curating pieces for a private space, or developing your own artistic practice, I bring decades of experience in fine art, business and consulting experience and material knowledge to the table.
With an eye for detail and a deep understanding of art from the inside out, I offer creative consulting tailored to those who value authenticity, quality, and a bit of wild in their world.
Get in Touch
Looking for a one-of-a-kind artwork? Reach out for inquiries, collaborations, or to learn more about my work.
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