American
b Oct 22, 1953 Edina, Minnesota – d. Dec 14, 1990 Port St. Lucie Florida

A graduate of Edina East High School (class of 1971) Thomas Greenough began painting in Junior High and continued throughout his life. Thomas studied Art at Goddard College in Plainfield, Vermont where he began creating Tapestries. After graduation he traveled to Japan where he studied tapestry making in-depth and taught English. Thomas was fluent in Japanese, including writing the language.

Most of the Tapestries shown at Flanders Gallery were done while he was in Brazil in the 1980s. Greenough’s designs are described as “Original Navajo technique in Contemporary design”. Navajo technique is highlighted by not cutting the yarn, rather the artist twists and turns the fiber until it breaks- no scissors or knives!. His Tapestries feature his initials, TG, woven into each one. Thomas also continued to paint and designed jewelry while in Brazil. While in Brazil, he painted an entire “Orchid” series which is displayed at the home of his sister Lauren in Naples, Fl. Lauren operates HW Galleries, also in Naples, which features many works also shown at Flanders Gallery.

Thomas was also fluent in Portuguese, and taught English in Brazil. His TG Ranch grew from a 150 Acre gift from one of his English language students to be nearly 1000 acres. The Ranch is still working today, featuring thousands of Guava and Citrus trees, which Thomas planted. The ranch also has nearly 400 acres of bananas, which are sold locally. He also raised and bred parrots, including several endangered varieties.

Thomas Greenough is described as “Mellow… nothing shook him up”, and his designs show that. He loved body-surfing in Brazil. A life-long vegetarian, something that was rare in the 80s, Tom loved to cook for his friends and family. On the occasion of his death, his family hosted one of the first “Celebrations of Life” in Minnesota. The only other exhibitions of Thomas Scott Greenough’s work were in New York City in 1989 and at Captiva Island following his death.