Raised in the Spokane and Cheney, Washington area this artist became fast attracted to the outdoors. After one semester at the Los Angeles Art Center of intense learning, married with two children he needed to get out into the market. Early on in his college career he had chosen fish and wildlife but was well gifted in his artwork. Going north to Alaska he did three seasons in commercial fishing. Freelance illustrations became his bread and butter for his career unlike many artists who hope to be discovered. Fred's most readily apparent illustration for the public is the "Smiling Eskimo" on the tail of Alaska Airlines aircraft. He is a member of The Puget Sound Group Of Painters and The Society Of Animal Artists (who in 2011 awarded Thomas their highest honor - The Award Of Excellence and in 2012 the Leonard J Meiselman Memorial Award). Fred has had a national reputation as an illustrator with such clients as Eddie Bauer Co., National Geographic, Macmillan Publishing, Pepsi Cola Corp., Patagonia, Microsoft, L.L. Bean and Alaska Airlines.