Neoma Thomas’ work explores the presence of past generations in family life and her intersecting interests in portraiture and genealogy. Neighbors in Audubon County, Iowa where she was raised may recognize many of the faces and names included in her work!

Thomas earned her BFA in graphic design from the Kansas City Art Institute and relates that she “spent a lot of time poring over old family photos, trying to gain some insight into [their] lives…studying their expressions, their gestures. And then I tried to capture an emotion.” Her work is in the style of Midwest regionalists.