Thomas Kidd (illustrator)

{{Short description|American illustrator (born 1955)}} {{Infobox artist | image = | image_size = | alt = | caption = | birth_name = | birth_date = {{birth date|1955|08|10}} | birth_place = [[Tampa, Florida]] | death_date = | death_place = | spouse = | field = Fantasy and science fiction illustration | training = | movement = | works = | patrons = | awards = | elected = | website =  }} '''Thomas Kidd''' (born August 10, 1955) is an American [[science fiction]] and [[fantasy]] illustrator who lives in [[New Milford, Connecticut|New Milford]], [[Connecticut]].

==History== Thomas Kidd was born August 10, 1955, in Tampa, Florida.<ref>{{cite web|title=Kidd, Tom|website=Encyclopedia of Science Fiction|date=September 12, 2022|accessdate=February 17, 2024|url=https://sf-encyclopedia.com/entry/kidd_tom}}</ref> Kidd described himself as a "scatterbrained" child, but he had a quick talent for drawing and was able to capture nearly anything he saw accurately with paper and pencil. However, when he recognized that cameras were able to create realistic images quicker and more accurately than he could, he turned to drawing the creations of his mind. Kidd particularly credits [[Chesley Bonestell]] and [[Norman Rockwell]] as his most formative influences.

Kidd received a scholarship to [[Syracuse University]], but dropped out after two years in the program. He moved to [[New York City]] to become a professional artist and, after a difficult start, began to see some success as an illustrator.

Since then, Kidd has illustrated two books, ''[[The Three Musketeers]]'' and ''[[The War of the Worlds (novel)|The War of the Worlds]],'' and is currently at work on a book called ''Gnemo: Airships, Adventure, Exploration.'' A collection of his art, ''The Tom Kidd Sketchbook,'' is also available. He has painted the cover artwork for numerous paperback novels published by William Morrow, Random House, Warner Books, Doubleday, St. Martin's Press and Tor Books, as well as Marvel Comics.

He has also illustrated cards for [[Last Unicorn Games]]' [[collectible card game]] ''[[Heresy: Kingdom Come]]''.<ref name="SendaiBubble-Artists">{{cite web |url=http://sendai.best.vwh.net/rich/heresy/Artist.html |title=''Heresy'' Cards by Artist |publisher=The Sendai Bubble |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20031210110205/http://sendai.best.vwh.net/rich/heresy/Artist.html |archivedate=2003-12-10 |url-status=dead |accessdate=2011-08-17 }}</ref>

Kidd is also a designer; his design work has been seen in films, theme parks and figurines for many clients, including [[Walt Disney Feature Animation]] and Mayfair Games. He has exhibited work in numerous galleries, including the Delaware Art Museum and the [[NASA]] Future Art Expedition.

==Awards== Kidd's achievements include: * 4 [[Hugo Award|Hugo]] nominations (1985, 1987, 1988, 1990) * 7 [[Chesley Awards]], including: 2002 (Interior Illustration, Best Monochrome Work - Unpublished); 2003 (Artistic Achievement) * AnLab Award ([[Analog magazine]]): 1987 (for cover of ''Marooned in Realtime'') * Golden Pagoda Award: 1990 (Best Artist) * 2003 World Fantasy Award for Best Artist<ref>{{cite web|author=World Fantasy Convention|year= 2010|title=Award Winners and Nominees|url=http://www.worldfantasy.org/awards/awardslist.html/|accessdate= 4 Feb 2011}}</ref>

== References == {{Reflist}}

== External links == * {{official website|http://www.spellcaster.com/tomkidd/}} * {{isfdb name|id=Tom_Kidd|name=Tom Kidd}} * {{isfdb name|id=Thomas_Kidd|name=Thomas Kidd}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Kidd, Thomas}} [[Category:1955 births]] [[Category:American fantasy artists]] [[Category:Living people]] [[Category:Artists from Connecticut]] [[Category:American role-playing game artists]] [[Category:American science fiction artists]] [[Category:World Fantasy Award–winning artists]] [[Category:People from New Milford, Connecticut]]