Tom Applegate Art

Art Inspired by life Near the Edge

Rooted in years of exploration and adventure, my work draws from the raw clarity and spiritual essence found in wild places. Paintings that reveal the dialogue between the tangible world and the unseen space that moves within it.

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 Gallery.

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.

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On the Easel: Returning to the Bugaboos

I started this painting about fifteen years ago, then set it aside—one of those pieces that quietly waited for the right time. It’s based on a photo I took of Snow Patch Spire in the Bugaboos of British Columbia, captured from high on Bugaboo Spire. That day was extraordinary—clear light, vast peaks, and a sense of being suspended between earth and sky. It feels right to finally bring that moment to completion. I may crop the painting to focus more closely on the spire itself

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Just Finished: Painting Half Dome, Remembering the Climb

Just finished—a realistic take on Half Dome in Yosemite Valley with the granite is catching the afternoon light just right. This face holds a special meaning in my soul, which is why I’ve spent so much time staying true to the place—its form, its light, its presence. Earlier in life, I lived on the 2,000-foot Northwest Face of Half Dome for two days. Slowly climbing it, always moving up hanging on little nothings. It was one of those rare trips where everything aligned: pe

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In the Studio

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.

Hand crafted gallery quality panels.

Built by an artist for artists.
Archival materials for lasting durability.
Made to order - built just for you.
Custom made for artists, not the masses.
Personalized service & direct artist support
Some in stock panels available.

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Get in Touch

Looking for a one-of-a-kind artwork? Reach out for inquiries, collaborations, or to learn more about my work.

Paintings and Sierra Art Panels