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Tom Darrah began his artistic journey at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts,  the Fleisher Art Memorial, and the Hussian School of Art.  Thanks to a generous invitation from the U.S. government, Tom was able to leave Philadelphia and visit exotic and exciting new places across the globe. After completing his service he chose to continue his education in the Southwest.  Tom resumed his studies at the University of New Mexico under the direction of Herman Rose of the Art Student League-New York.  While at the University of New Mexico he also met and studied with Wilson Hurley. 

During the summer of 1978, Tom visited Ruidoso, New Mexico, where he met and fell in love with the Sacramento Mountains.  Six months later he, along with his family, relocated to Cloudcroft, New Mexico, where he opened his studio, the Red Oak Gallery.  Tom was soon awarded commissions to develop public works for the New Mexico Arts Council. Tom moved his studio to Ruidoso in 2000 and has shown his work in galleries throughout the Southwest.  Tom’s work is also included in the permanent collection of the Albuquerque Museum, and the Western Heritage Center in Hobbs.

Tom concentrates on contemporary impressionistic work, and is considered a modern traditionalist. Considering art a lifetime learning effort, he has recently turned his focus to large figure drawings to express his views on life and philosophy with fresh eyes. He is noted for brightly colored, dramatic cloudscapes, portraits and nudes, as well as regional landscapes and a highly successful mission series. He is currently exhibiting in Austin, El Paso, and Midland, Texas and in Ruidoso, New Mexico.