Tom Esplin was born in Motherwell, Scotland in 1915.

He gained his diploma of Art at Edinburgh College and has exhibited with the Royal Society of Artists, Great Britian and the Royal Society of Watercolourists, Scotland.

A specialist teacher of Art Diploma in 1940 was followed with 1940-1946 war service as captain with the R.A.B.E.F. From 1955 a senior lecturer in design and school of home science at the University of Otago, he was associate professor of design from 1978, until his retirement in 1985.

Tom has painted full-time since then, and devotes three months a year to travel abroad with his wife for painting.
Tom's paintings are represented in Galleries and private collections throughout the world. His vigorous impaste technique and beautiful colours are unique in this country, and have received the recognition they so richly deserved. Tom worked in watercolour till 1955.

 

Tom is married to Edith and is the father of 4 children, Clark, Ronald, Jennifer and Dorothy.