Born in Malaysia, Avril Thomas has dedicated nearly 30 years to her art, evolving from a private pursuit into a celebrated professional career. Her talent was first recognized in Queensland, where she was invited to teach, sparking a lifelong passion for artistic expression. Based in South Australia, Avril is a full-time practicing artist whose works have graced numerous local, national, and international exhibitions. Specializing in tonal realist portraiture using charcoal, graphite, pastel, and oil, Avril’s portfolio extends to acclaimed sculptural and photographic works. An Archibald finalist, her original artworks reside in prestigious corporate and private collections across Australia, the USA, and Hong Kong, including the National Portrait Gallery in Canberra, Flinders University, Monash University, Deakin University, Adelaide University, and UniSA. Her global recognition includes being the only Australian to win the Fine Art America global competition in 2022. Avril has also served as a judge for esteemed events like the Smallacombe Portrait Prize, Solar Art Prize, Rotary Art Exhibitions (Campbelltown and Blackwood), and the International Society of Scratchboard Artists.