Thomas became the youngest exhibitor at the age of 19 in the BP Portrait awards at the National Portrait Gallery in London, with a portrait of his father. He has worked as a slate roofer/builder since leaving school which has taken him to many remote places in his native Gwynedd, inspiring many paintings. It has given him a firm grounding and insight into the people and surroundings, invaluable to any developing artist.
Thomas works from life, almost becoming part of the landscape and also in his studio where he paints his characters.