Episode 048: Tom Wood

Episode 048: April 19, 2025

The Professional Artist returns after a one week hiatus while Echo (and Lazarus) presented awards in for Illustrators of the Future in Hollywood, California. This episode, Echo talks careers with judge Tom Wood, a great illustrator and graphic designer with a long history in many art fields, from oils to digital across Fantasy, Sports, Music, Celebrities, Products, and Caricatures. He also lectures and supports young artists at Illustrators of the Future. 

Today, Tom shares breadth of experience with The Professional Illustrator audience.

About Tom Wood:

Tom Wood is a Fantasy Art Illustrator who is among the best-selling poster artists in the US and Canada. The “Tom Wood Fantasy Art” brand has sold millions of products since 2005. He is also the Owner and Art Director of Meridian Design Works, which creates artwork for well-know properties such as the NFL, Disney, and Warner Bros. 

Tom credits his parents, for instilling in him the confidence and character to become the artist he is today. Growing up on a rural farm in Arkansas, Tom was self taught and from the age of five. From his first glimpse of Frazetta’s “Death Dealer”, Tom’s passion for creating some of the most iconic fantasy works, began.

His formal education began at the University of Arkansas (Fayetteville), where he was accepted on full academic scholarship. His first professional work was in the screen-printing industry, art directing many sports designs. This early work education propelled him to an extensive freelance career that he maintains 20 years later w/his Meridian Design Works Corp.

Today, Tom Wood’s creations of Dragons and Medieval, Death-defying Warriors, have become iconic images of Fantasy Culture across America, Europe and Asia. Leading Manufacturers and publishers have licensed the Tom Wood Fantasy Art property for books, posters, figurines and home décor items (more than 100 different products!) accumulating over 8 million in Retail Sales, at well known retailers in countries such as the U.K., Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Australia, New Zealand, and China. In addition, in Tom’s work as a commercial artist, his clients have included well-known companies like Warner Brothers, Disney, NBA, NFL, MLS, Reebok, Gatorade and the NCAA.

When Tom is not in his studio, he is spending time mentoring young artists, at one of his many appearances at Comic Cons across the country, or running the backroads of his farm with his wife, Kim and daughter, Emily. He lives in Mammoth Spring, Arkansas.

Tom Wood’s Links:
Online Store: https://tomwoodfantasyart.com
Design Studio: https://www.meridiandesignworks.com