Legend Biography

Tom Crain was born in La Junta, Colorado and raised in Colorado Springs. He began to draw at an early
age. He enjoyed camping, fishing, hiking, and hunting in the beautiful Rocky Mountains which continue
to be an inspiration to him. In 1973 he moved to Missouri.
Tom is a self taught artist and began his professional career full time in 1979. He immediately gained
recognition with “Best of Show” in Oklahoma City. His entries at the National Wildlife Show in Kansas
City in 1981, 1982, 1984, also won “Best of Show”. Tom’s success continued with winning the 1981
MISSOURI DUCK STAMP, 1983 DELAWARE TROUT STAMP, 1984 INDIANA TROUT STAMP, and 1986
MISSOURI DUCK STAMP. In 2010 T. Morgan began to enter state competitions again and was awarded
the 2011 MISSOURI DUCK STAMP and 2012 OHIO DUCK STAMP.
For many years Tom showed his work at SILVER DOLLAR CITY, in Branson, Missouri, at the National
Festival of Craftsman, winning awards in 1988, 1994 and 1996. In the fall of 2010, he was honored to
return for SILVER DOLLAR CITY’S 50th Anniversary for an “Artist Reunion”.
Tom has also been the illustrator for the WILD TURKEY FEDERATION, Missouri Show-Me Chapter and
DUCKS UNLIMITED Hunter’s Log. In 1992, he was chosen DUCKS UNLIMITED ARTIST OF THE YEAR for
Missouri
Over the years CABELA’S has commissioned Tom to paint numerous catalog covers which can also be
viewed and enjoyed on this site.
Other covers include FIOCCHI OF AMERICA, BLUE BOOK OF GUN VALUE, OZARKS MOUNTAINEER and
SPRINGFIELD Magazine.
In 1994, FRANKLIN MINT contracted with Tom to do seventeen paintings to produce porcelain collector
plates, sold worldwide.
WINDERMERE CONFERENCE CENTER commissioned Tom to paint an original painting, in 1997. An
awesome eagle in flight over their campus, called “God’s Masterpiece”, to aid in raising funds for their
building projects.
In 2000, Tom traveled on an ASIAN TOUR with his most popular “HOME OF THE BRAVE”, original
painting, touring Bangkok, Thailand - Kunming, China and Kyoto, Japan.
He was honored with a medal in China for this awesome masterpiece.
Tom’s studio and gallery is located in beautiful downtown Branson, Missouri