Hallmark Ornaments by Thomas Blackshear

Thomas Blackshear II occupies a distinctive place in Hallmark history because his brief time with the company came at the beginning of a much larger and widely honored career. Born in Waco, Texas, and raised in Atlanta, Blackshear studied at the American Academy of Art in Chicago. After graduating in 1977, he worked at Hallmark in Kansas City and met illustrator Mark English, who later took him on as an apprentice.

The current ornament catalog credits Blackshear with five distinct Hallmark designs released from 1979 through 1983. These early angels, anniversary subjects, and a thoughtful Santa emphasize pose, silhouette, tenderness, and ceremony. Blackshear later became known for advertising, books, album and magazine art, Christian imagery, collectors’ plates, figurines, and United States postage stamps.