Thomas B. Allen (Tennessee/New York, 1928-2004) oil on canvas painting of a boy holding a bag of marbles, standing against a wall plastered with paper signs. Wide stained wood frame. Signed upper right and dated 1950. 29-3/4" x 21-3/4" sight, 37" x 29-1/4" framed. Biography: Nashville-born illustration artist and painter Thomas B. Allen studied at Vanderbilt University and the Art Institute of Chicago. His illustration work appeared in numerous publications including Life, McCalls, and The New Yorker. In 1959 he illustrated a story for Esquire Magazine about bluegrass singers Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs, which led to a close and longtime collaboration, including seventeen country music album covers. Allen earned a New York Art Directors Club Gold Medal and a Gold Medal from the Society of Illustrators. He taught at the School of Visual Arts in New York and at the Parsons School of Design, Syracuse University, and the Ringling School of Art and Design. A retrospective of his work, organized by the recording artist Marty Stuart, was held from 2000-2002 at the Grand Ole Opry. Condition: Excellent condition.