Tom Ross is an American painter known for his expressive depictions of boats, water, skies, and beach scenes. He works in oils, often painting en plein air on Naples beaches in the summer and traveling to Wisconsin to capture fields, barns, and Lake Michigan sailboats. A former Navy serviceman, Ross pursued art initially on the GI Bill but later entered the business world before returning to study painting in Colorado. There, he trained with leading instructors who helped him refine his craft and make a living as a professional artist. He often begins with sketches rather than photographs, developing compositions that explore dark, middle, and light values before translating them into larger canvases. Ross regularly participates in art festivals, but his greatest passion remains painting, whether outdoors on location or in his studio.