FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

1.) I WOULD LIKE TO PURCHASE SOME ROBERT THOMAS ARTWORK, BUT I LIVE OUTSIDE OF THE U.S.A., WHAT SHOULD I DO?

Robert Thomas artwork can be shipped all over the world, but on this website we have already added shipping to the prices. So, to ship out of the country we will need to charge a little more for shipping. You can either order off the website and we will contact you about the extra shipping charge, or you can contact us at one of our locations or through e-mail and we will be happy to do the transaction over the phone.

2.) WHAT IS A Giclée?

giclée is taken from the french word which means “to spray”. a giclée is a type of reproduction. first they take an original painting and get a high quality digital scan, then the digital scan is printed on canvas with archival inks. the inks are sprayed onto canvas (not transferred) so when stretched to frame, the image will not crack. then a clear acrylic varnish is sprayed over the image to protect it. this process makes the image water resistant. 

3.) WHAT DOES (A/P) STAND FOR?

Artist Proof giclées are outside of the numbered limited edition giclée's. the artist proofs are numbered with a prefix AP next to the number on the giclée. by custom, the artist retains the A/P's for his personal use or sale. Robert Thomas has placed the first 30 giclées to be held as A/P for each separate giclée. the artist proof is regarded as having more value, due to the limited numbers available.

4.) WHAT DOES (S/N) STAND FOR?

Signed and Numbered giclée's have been signed and sequentially numbered by the artist. the artist's signature is found in one of the lower corners of the giclée and is accompanied by a number that looks like a fraction (the top number indicates the number of the giclée and the bottom number indicates the total number of giclées in the edition). Robert Thomas highlights each giclée. this enhances and makes each piece a one of a kind. the "S/N" denotes a signed and numbered limited edition. the limited size of the edition enhances the value of each piece.

5.) WHAT IS AN "OPEN EDITION"?

Open Edition giclées are not numbered. the artist does NOT highlight each giclée. they are not limited editions.

6.) IF I RECEIVE MY Giclée ROLLED IN A TUBE, HOW CAN I GET IT FRAMED?

you will take the rolled canvas to a local framer, they will stretch the canvas and fit it into a frame of your choice. let your framer know that the giclée is to be stretched, and framed like an original oil painting. there is no need to put glass over the giclée. it is completely water resistant.  

7.) WHAT DOES GALLERY WRAP MEAN, AND WHY WOULD I WANT IT THAT WAY?

gallery wrap is when the edges of the image are mirrored and then wrapped around a thick wooded stretcher bar. it gives the impression that the painting continues around the edge, but because it is a mirrored image of the painting you do not lose any of the image to the edge, you actually gain a larger amount of the image. why many people are starting to choose to have there painting gallery wrapped is to focus only on the painting, without a frame around it your  eye is drawn to the painting. also, it is less expensive to have a painting gallery wrapped than to design a custom frame for the painting.

8.) WHAT IS KOA?

A native tree of Hawaii, Koa (Acacia Koa) has long since been sought after for its historic and cultural significance. Koa is the Hawaiian word for "strength" or "warrior". Koa is one of the lesser-known treasures of the Hawaiian Islands, but it has a rich history and is very much appreciated by those living in Hawaii. Koa is in the Acacia family, but this particular species only grows in the Hawaiian Islands. Acacia Koa - Hawaii's most valued native tree and the largest endemic tree in Hawaii – exists naturally nowhere else in the world. It was historically the material of choice for carved ocean-going canoes. Koa wood is highly valued by furniture and crafts people throughout Hawaii and consumers the world over, for its unique grain, varied color and workability. Highly figured Koa is sought after for use in fine furniture, musical instruments, crafts, gunstocks and knife handles. The demand for Koa has been high; therefore making it an expensive solid wood. Taking approximately 50 years to mature, this tree can reach heights of 100 feet and have a trunk that is over 4 feet in diameter at its base. It is a unique wood with color that can vary from a golden blond to reddish brown to dark brown with streaks of darker browns and black.  Or any combination thereof.  When finished, the wood is highly lustrous, with beautiful hues of gold, red, or brown. Koa is found growing throughout the state but the majority of the trees grow on the slopes of Maui and the big island of Hawaii. Although opinions vary as to why, the harvesting of Koa is now controlled with many of the old growth trees protected. Most of the commercial grade Koa is taken from Hawaii ("The Big Island" of Hawaii.) Because Koa grows in areas that were once lava fields, it is thought that that is the reason for it’s beautiful golden reddish color.

9.) WHY ARE KOA FRAMES SO EXPENSIVE?

the Koa population has suffered from grazing and logging. many wet forest areas, where the largest koa grow, have been logged out, and it now comes largely from dead or dying trees or farms on private lands. and with "supply and demand" the prices have shot up.

10.) ARE ANY ROBERT THOMAS ORIGINALS AVAILABLE?

Yes. Please check out the "Robert Thomas Originals" section on the left. Also, Robert Thomas does commissioned paintings, contact us for sizes and prices.

11.) HOW LONG HAS ROBERT THOMAS BEEN PAINTING?

as a child Robert Thomas was always artistic. he has been painting since 1983, prior to painting he was a metal sculpting artist from 1968 through 1983.

12.) WHERE DOES ROBERT THOMAS PAINT NOW?

Robert Thomas can be found on the big island of hawaii, he demonstrates daily at colors of paradise gallery, which is ran by Robert and one of his daughters.

13.) WHERE IS ROBERT THOMAS FROM?

Robert Thomas was born and raised in Southern California. he moved to Hawaii in 1972 and has resided there ever since.

14.) DID ROBERT THOMAS GO TO SCHOOL TO LEARN TO PAINT?

No! Robert’s mother was an artist and taught Robert many things about painting at a very young age. he was so gifted at a young age that while he was in 3rd grade he sketched a drawing of a cowboy for a school assignment and it was so detailed that his teacher accused him of having an adult do the assignment for him, she would not believe that a child that young could draw that well. needless to say, Robert got a failing grade on that assignment. Oh, Well!

15.) ARE ANY OF ROBERT THOMAS PAINTINGS REAL LOCATIONS?

Robert often goes to a location and draws up a sketch of that location, but he does not stop there, while looking at the location he adds and takes away objects to create his perfect painting. Robert enjoys painting hawaiian landmarks, such as diamond head from oahu, napali coast from kauai, and the kilauea volcano from the big island.

16.) DOES ROBERT PAINT FROM A PICTURE?

No! Robert is a wonderful photographer and will use his images as inspiration, yet his paintings are created from a combination of the pure beauty that surrounds him in hawaii and his imagination.

17.) WHAT DO I DO IF MY PAINTING, Giclée, OR FRAME ARRIVE DAMAGED?

all items shipped are insured. but if something does arrive damaged please contact us within 30 days of arrival. that way we can deal with the shipper and replace the giclée as soon as possible. your happiness is our number one priority.