About Tony
Tony Shore is a Baltimore-based artist who paints on Black velvet mostly recognized for his autobiographical paintings of blue-collar life in Southwest Baltimore . Tony is a recipient of a 2017 Franz and Virginia Bader Grant and a 2016 Rubys artist grant. He is the 2007 winner of The Walter and Janet Sondheim Prize as well as the 2005 winner of the Bethesda Painting Prize. He was a 2008 and 2016 finalist for the Trawick Prize and has been the recipient of several Maryland State Arts Council… more
Aurora
Aurora is a multimedia public artwork created as 1 0f 5 artworks curated by Derrick Adams for Inviting Light Baltimore, funded by the Bloomberg Philanthropies in partnership with the Central Baltimore Partnership, The City of baltimore and Station North. Aurora is an homage to the ever evolving clubs, cafés, and nightlife of the Station North Arts District. Inspired by a rare sighting of the Aurora Borealis in the region I wanted to explore what a grounded inner city version of it might be. My goal was to create a light based public artwork with two lives. A project that could would be appreciated in the day, and come to life at night. I aimed to transform the façade of the former Gatsby’s Nightclub into a vibrant tableau where folks gather in a timeless hangout that’s always open, always welcoming. Aurora translates my velvet painting style to a monumental scale, incorporating elements of mural painting, relief aluminum sculpture, engraved transparent and colored acrylic, and an animated led light installation. It is a vignette painted directly on the wall that interacts with colossal silhouetted figures and dramatic neon lighting creating a cinematic portrayal reflective of Station North and its nightlife.
Most Recent Paintings on Velvet Gallery 1
One man's trash is another man's treasure - This often used phrase is one that truly resonates with me when considering my artwork.
I grew up in a flea market family; we supplemented much of our income through the flea market and yard sales trade. From a young age I learned to find value in places that others ignored. As an artist I want to provide a window for others to appreciate things they may often overlook or undervalue.
Velvet painting is a medium often written off as kitsch or lowbrow and looked down upon by the art world. I choose to address it with a reverence reserved for the finest linen. Velvet painting itself has a rich and interesting history, centuries old. My goal is to elevate this medium and make it worthy of galleries and museums.
The people that I paint, mostly family, friends, and neighbors, are often referred to as inner city hillbillies, or even worse, white trash. The places that I paint are usually seen as deteriorating slums or white trash ghettos. I see once proud neighborhoods and buildings, occupied by real people with real stories. I choose to paint them with sincerity, dignity, and honesty.
My subjects and my medium then, become intertwined, each with its own value and history. This mutual relationship is a driving force in my work.
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Seventh VeilSeventh Veil, acrylic on velvet, 2023
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La Bahia -
VeniceVenice, acrylic on velvet 40 x 60 inches
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BOBO Smoke ShopBOBO Smoke Shop
acrylic on velvet, 36 x 24 inches, 2023
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Guest HouseGuest House, acrylic on velvet, 2024.
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HoopsHoops
acrylic on velvet, 48 x 36 inches
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PINK"SPINK'S
acrylic on velvet, 60 x 40 inches, 2023
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Santa Monica PierSanta Monica Pier
acrylic on velvet
40 x 30 inches
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Fortune TellerFortune Teller
acrylic on velvet, 48 x 40 inches, 2023
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Taco SpotTaco Spot,
acrylic on velvet, 24 x 48 inches, 2023
Velvet Paintings Gallery 2
One man's trash is another man's treasure - This often used phrase is one that truly resonates with me when considering my artwork.
I grew up in a flea market family; we supplemented much of our income through the flea market and yard sales trade. From a young age I learned to find value in places that others ignored. As an artist I want to provide a window for others to appreciate things they may often overlook or undervalue.
Velvet painting is a medium often written off as kitsch or lowbrow and looked down upon by the art world. I choose to address it with a reverence reserved for the finest linen. Velvet painting itself has a rich and interesting history, centuries old. My goal is to elevate this medium and make it worthy of galleries and museums.
The people that I paint, mostly family, friends, and neighbors, are often referred to as inner city hillbillies, or even worse, white trash. The places that I paint are usually seen as deteriorating slums or white trash ghettos. I see once proud neighborhoods and buildings, occupied by real people with real stories. I choose to paint them with sincerity, dignity, and honesty.
My subjects and my medium then, become intertwined, each with its own value and history. This mutual relationship is a driving force in my work.
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Double Rainbowacrylic on velvet, 36 x 60 inches, 2022 -
Bogie'sBogie's, acrylic on velvet, 20 x 30 inches -
Churros and Cotton Candyacrylic on velvet, 48 x 42 inches -
HI-TEKacrylic on velvet, 42 x 68 inches, 2022 -
5646 Hollywood Boulevard5646 Hollywood Boulevard, acrylic on velvet, 40 x 30 inches. 2022
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Dean’s Shaved Iceacrylic on velvet, 20 x 6 inches -
Sausage Truckacrylic on velvet, 30 x 20 inches -
VACANCYVACANCY, acrylic on velvet, 40 x 67 inches. -
Glass UpholsteryGlass Upholstery, acrylic on velvet, 50 x 38 inches. -
Julia in Greenacrylic on velvet 14 x 11 inches. 2022
Velvet Paintings Gallery 3
One man's trash is another man's treasure - This often used phrase is one that truly resonates with me when considering my artwork.
I grew up in a flea market family; we supplemented much of our income through the flea market and yard sales trade. From a young age I learned to find value in places that others ignored. As an artist I want to provide a window for others to appreciate things they may often overlook or undervalue.
Velvet painting is a medium often written off as kitsch or lowbrow and looked down upon by the art world. I choose to address it with a reverence reserved for the finest linen. Velvet painting itself has a rich and interesting history, centuries old. My goal is to elevate this medium and make it worthy of galleries and museums.
The people that I paint, mostly family, friends, and neighbors, are often referred to as inner city hillbillies, or even worse, white trash. The places that I paint are usually seen as deteriorating slums or white trash ghettos. I see once proud neighborhoods and buildings, occupied by real people with real stories. I choose to paint them with sincerity, dignity, and honesty.
My subjects and my medium then, become intertwined, each with its own value and history. This mutual relationship is a driving force in my work.
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Sistersacrylic on velvet, 20 x 30 inches. 2022
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Rooftop at the Rooseveltacrylic on velvet, 12 x 9 inches. 2022 -
The Pick-Upacrylic on velvet 50 x 42 inches, 2018 -
Dialysisacrylic on velvet, 56 x 40 inches -
Blue light Specialacrylic on velvet -
Booper's Yardacrylic on velvet, 108 x 42 inches -
Booper's Yard (detail)acrylic on velvet, 108 x 42 inches -
Duke's Motel (Detail)acrylic on velvet, 108 x 42 inches -
Duke's Motel.jpgacrylic on velvet, 108 x 42 inches -
Steak and Onionsacrylic on velvet, 48 x 36 inches.
Velvet Paintings Gallery 4
One man's trash is another mans treasure - This often used phrase is one that truly resonates with me when considering my artwork.
I grew up in a flea market family; that supplemented much of our income through the flea market and yard sales trade. From a young age I learned to find value in places that others ignored. As an artist I try to provide a window for others to appreciate things they may often overlook or undervalue.
Velvet painting is a medium often looked down upon by the art world and written off as kitsch or lowbrow. I choose to address it with a reverence reserved for the finest linen. Velvet painting itself has a rich and interesting history, centuries old. My goal is to elevate this medium and make it worthy of galleries and museums.
The people that I paint, mostly family, friends, and neighbors, are often referred to as inner city hillbillies, or even worse, white trash. The places that I paint are usually seen as deteriorating slums or white trash ghettos. I see once proud neighborhoods and buildings, occupied by real people with real stories. I choose to paint them with sincerity, dignity, and honesty.
My subjects and my medium then, become intertwined, each with its own value and history. This mutual relationship is a driving force in my work.
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Sam and EmilySam and Emily
acrylic on velvet
30 x 22 inches
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10:30 p.m.acrylic on velvet, 42 x 30 inches. -
Booper's Tableacrylic on velvet, 42 x 72 inches -
Steak and OnionsSteak and Onions
acrylic on velvet
48 x 36 inches
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Inheritanceacrylic on velvet, 60 x 42 inches -
After the Huntacrylic on velvet, 72 x 42 inches -
Blue Star Motelacrylic on velvet, 40 x 24 inches -
Donna's Kitchenacrylic on velvet, 82 x 132 inches. -
Exchangeacrylic on velvet, 24 x 16 inches
Velvet Paintings Gallery 5
One man's trash is another man's treasure - This often used phrase is one that truly resonates with me when considering my artwork.
I grew up in a flea market family; we supplemented much of our income through the flea market and yard sales trade. From a young age I learned to find value in places that others ignored. As an artist I want to provide a window for others to appreciate things they may often overlook or undervalue.
Velvet painting is a medium often written off as kitsch or lowbrow and looked down upon by the art world. I choose to address it with a reverence reserved for the finest linen. Velvet painting itself has a rich and interesting history, centuries old. My goal is to elevate this medium and make it worthy of galleries and museums.
The people that I paint, mostly family, friends, and neighbors, are often referred to as inner city hillbillies, or even worse, white trash. The places that I paint are usually seen as deteriorating slums or white trash ghettos. I see once proud neighborhoods and buildings, occupied by real people with real stories. I choose to paint them with sincerity, dignity, and honesty.
My subjects and my medium then, become intertwined, each with its own value and history. This mutual relationship is a driving force in my work.
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Refridgeratoracrylic on velvet, 49 x 34 inches. -
Laketroutacrylic on velvet, 18 x 24 inches -
Gluttonyacrylic on velvet, 32 x 24 inches -
Beef Head with Toungueacrylic on velvet 24 x 22 inches -
Potatoes and Onionsacrylic on velvet, 14 x 10 inches -
Lobster (apologies to Jacob Lawrence)acrylic on velvet 12 x 18 inches -
Catfish and Hardheadacrylic on velvet, 16 x 20 inches.
Street Fights
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In the Alleyacrylic on velvet, 44 x 40 inches, 2015 -
Taking Your Shitacrylic on velvet, 36 x 52 inches, 2015 -
Taking Your Shit detail 2 -
Tracy Adkins Parkacrylic on velvet, 60 x 42 inches. -
Beatdownacrylic on velvet, 42 x 54 inches. -
Exitacrylic on velvet, 36 x 26 inches. -
Jump Outacrylic on velvet,34 x 22 inches.
China paintings from Xinjiang Province
Gouache Studies
This is a small group of Gouache paintings made between 2018 and 2025.
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Now OpenNow Open
gouache on gesso board
14 x 11 inches
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Racer's PubRacer's Pub
gouache on paper
6 x 9 inches
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Double Rock ParkDouble Rock Park
gouache on paper
12 x 9 inches
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Times Square Food CartTimes Square Food Cart
gouache on paper
11 x 9 inches
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Uncle MikeUncle Mike
gouache on canvas
8 x 10 inches
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Nikki.jpggouache on illustration board, 16 x 10 inches, 2017 -
StompedGouache on illustration board, 10 x 14 inches, 2017 -
Closing Time (Gouache Study)gouache on illustration board, 12 x 16 inches, 2017