Thomas Blinks (Born in 1860 – Died in 1912) was probably the foremost animal and sporting painter of his generation. He was born in North West London and he showed early artistic promise. Initially he undertook an apprenticeship as a tailor but he felt this was not in line with what he desired. In spite of his father’s disapproval, Blinks committed to a career as a painter for that’s what he felt he was meant to be. Blinks was largely self-taught and learned much from time he spent at Tattersalls where he studied his subject. He soon became sought after for his paintings of dogs and hunting subjects, both in the United States and Great Britain. From 1881, he exhibited in London at the Dudley Gallery, and at the Royal Society of Artists in 1882.
From 1883 to 1910, he exhibited at the Royal Academy and also at the Suffolk Street Galleries. Blinks was renowned for his works depicting Pointers and Setters in addition to his hunting scenes. He also had fans for his shooting subjects. In 1885 Blinks moved to 1 Hill Road in St. John’s Wood from the family home in North West London near Lady Margaret Road. 1 Hill Road was a well-to-do area of London, and was home to some of the most successful artists in the capital. Alma-Tadema and Tissot lived close by, and Blink’s work is an indication of their patronage. Blinks received a number of commissions as a portrait painter. His works can be found in museums in: The Royal Collection, Brighton, London, At Gallery, Preston Manor and Leicester Museum.
