Bio

Tom Sweetser is a visual artist based in Los Angeles, California. He holds a BFA of New Media Design & Imaging from Rochester Institute of Technology and his acrylic paintings can be found in private collections in the United States and abroad.

Artist Statement

My work explores the vibrant intersection of cars, architecture, and the sun-drenched spirit of Southern California. Using a graphic and colorful style, I create scenes that celebrate the distinctive visual culture of Los Angeles and Palm Springs, with a particular focus on mid-century design.

Each piece is a romanticized snapshot - part memory, part fantasy - where classic automobiles rest beneath iconic rooflines, endless blue skies, and towering palms. I aim to capture not just the look of Southern California, but the feeling: the light, the freedom, the cinematic nostalgia that lingers in its architecture and asphalt. Through this lens, my art pays homage to the aesthetics of a bygone era, while reimagining it in vivid, modern terms.

Awards

3rd Place, Painting - 52nd Annual Beverly Hills Art Show (Beverly Hills, CA) (May 2025)

2nd Place, Painting - 51st Annual Beverly Hills Art Show (Beverly Hills, CA) (May 2024)