For the past three decades, Kevin Tomlin has been working diligently and tirelessly towards what has become a lifelong passion, the study of unique sounds indigenous to various cities and regions in the United States. His love for music meshes with his love for Art and this is demonstrated in his outstanding artworks.
He received his formal training in Fine Arts from Jamaica School of Art in the sunny island of Jamaica from 1974 to 1978 and St. Martin School of Art in London, England in 1980. His exhibits include “Sound of the Cities Music Icons,” paintings of music icons such as Teddy Pendergrass, Barry White and Isaac Hayes to name but a few.
From the mid 1980s to the end of the 1990 and 2000 while he was living in South Florida in America, Kevin conducted both one man and joint exhibits and workshops on “Mixed Medium Studies using acrylics and oil pastels , “Behind Scene Stories on Rhythm and Blues Music Icons” and “Sound of The Cities” in honour of Black Music Month transcending into “Signature Sounds” project. Signature Sounds is a collection of articles and research done around Black music history and demonstrates that Kevin is an accomplished Music Historian as well as an Artist.
His studies and varied interests are reflective in his moving depictions of the lush countryside and quaint portraits of England and music icons
Kevin Tomlin Commissions have included the following:
Music Icons for Broward County Library Service,Florida, USA-2000
Carrfour Corporation, Miami, Florida, USA-1999
Broward County Library Service, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA – 1996
Broward County Education Board, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA -1995
Dr Richard Powell-Tampa, Florida, USA-1987
Michael Lowe, Holy Cross Hospital, Fort Lauderdale, Florida-1986
Whitticker Management Services, London, England-1985
Sky Ocean Shipping and Travel, London, England-1985
Rev Burrell Book cover design and illustration, London, England-1984
Mr Forbes former principal of Spalding Secondary School in Jamaica-1978
Former PA of the Jamaica National Art Gallery, Kingston, Jamaica-1978
Exhibitions:
Solo art exhibition and illustrated talk on “UK Vocal Arranger Lawrence Johnson” at the Davenant Foundation School, Loughton, Essex, England-October 2013
Solo art exhibition and illustrated talk on “Music Icons” at Burnt Mill School, Harlow, Essex , England –May 2001
Solo art exhibition and illustrated talk at the Florida League of Christian Schools, Margate, Florida, USA-November 1999
Solo art exhibition and lecture on “Black Music History its impact on Theatre production at Amaturo Theatre Broward Centre for the Performing Arts, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA-August 1999
Group art exhibition “Black Renaissance in Broward” at ArtServe, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA- 26th January 1999
Group exhibition at the Rivermont House, Carrfour Corporation, Miami, Florida, USA- 14th January 1999
Group art exhibition “Musical Icons” at the Lauderhill Library, Florida, USA-June 1998
Art exhibition and illustrated talk on the sound of cities “Highlighting the Rhythm and Blues of Female Artists” at North Regional Library in Broward County, Florida, USA-June 1998 and September 1999
Group art exhibition “The Black Artist Experience and African Mystique” at the Broward County Main Library, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA-February 1998
Solo art exhibition and illustrated on the “Philadelphia Soul Sound” at the Lauderhill City Hall Library on 16th June 1996 and at the Fort Lauderdale Library on 19th June 1996, Florida USA
Art exhibition and illustrated talk at Plantation Park Elementary School, Florida, USA-May 1987
First solo art exhibition in America at Hollywood Art Museum, Hollywood, Florida, USA-August -1986