Artists have a variety of methods to make their mark. Every Friday we will share a photograph of an #ArtistInAction. "The boldly experimental work of her last years suggests the alacrity of a young master, but it harvested the resources of a lifetime."-Peter Schjeldahl, The New Yorker Born in Columbus, Georgia in 1891, Alma Woodsey Thomas became the first graduate of Howard University’s fine art program in 1924. Thomas worked as a teacher until retiring in 1960 and decided to focus on painting. Thomas presented her work, for the first time in public, at the age of 68. While her early work was more representational, Thomas is most known for her large-scale vibrant abstract paintings. In 1972 Thomas became the first African-American woman to have a solo show at the Whitney Museum. In 2009, Michelle Obama chose to exhibit two of Thomas’ pieces in the White House during the Obama presidency, one of which is still on display in the family’s private living quarters. A comprehensive overview...