Thomas Sgouros

My week of watercolor instruction with Tom was incredibly valuable, and his kind and thoughtful encouragement during the years following meant so much to me. He was a one of the rare ones.

I am so very sad to learn of Thomas's death. I took my first watercolor workshop with him at Hudson River Valley art workshops and I have treasured that time over any other experience since I began painting. He was a wonderful teacher and human being.

Dear Roxie, Tom Jr. and family,

My thoughts and prayers go out to you at this difficult time. I was honored to have Tom be a part of my life. His classes at RISD made me fall in love with watercolors and I think of him every time I paint. He taught me what it means to truly see and live as an artist, and also what it means to be a friend and a good person. It was wonderful to see Tom again after so many years and to meet Roxie and Tom Jr. earlier this year. He was surrounded by so...

In addition to being an oustanding artist and educator, Tom and the rest of the family were also active members of the Narragansett Boat Club. In fact, the whole family learned to scull, including Tom. Tom also lent his artistic talents by developing the Boat Club's logo, using historic designs from the 1880s. His spirit will always be with us.

Thom is the greatest mentor that I had at risd. I took all his classes and was his TA for years. Nothing was better than sitting in his studio and hearing about lessons he had learned from favorite artists, humorous critiques of his own work, stories about how his wife Roxie had given him the will to continue to live and paint after he began to lose his eyesight... to have been in a position absorb such wisdom was such an honor! I will forever be in awe of him and hope that his family know...

I knew Tom Sgouros when I was his student in the illustration department at RISD. He was a great teacher and a wonderful human being. I learned a lot from him, not only about illustration but about life as well. I extend my condolences to Tom's family. I hope you can take comfort in knowing that he made a real difference in the lives of so many of his students.

Dear Charissa,
I was very sorry to hear about your father. Please know that you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.
Stephen Imondi