BEVERLY HILLS—Thom Bierdz may play Phillip Chancellor, III on CBS’s mega hit “The Young and the Restless,” but the star, who was just named one of daytime television’s 25 most powerful people, has another side to him. His artwork has been a way for the actor to deal with many issues in his life. His work is respected and sought after by many in Hollywood from Connie Stevens to Scarlet Johansson, but fans of Bierdz’s didn’t realize that he had this secret talent, which has amazed his costars and brought new acclaim to a man known for his acting and literary work “Forgiving Troy.”

This week Canyon News spoke with Thom about the American Art Awards, which he founded and honors the work of unknown and budding artists each year. “Being a self-taught artist without a resume or schooling, years ago I found it very difficult to get my paintings in galleries. I know many other self-taught artists still have the same problem. It is almost impossible for galleries to take their art seriously. That’s why I co-created AmericanArtAwards.com so that all artists could have their art judged by gallery eyes on the merit of their composition and image, not resume. Some of my 25 national galleries want to represent art they see through this online competition, and even if they don't, the artist can now approach galleries on their own saying 25 galleries judged their piece as first place in a specific category, or fourth place, or finalist. It is a win/win situation,” said Bierdz.

Jacqueline Patinkin, Award winner

Thom Bierdz has used every talent he’s had to create several careers for himself. His book has received critical acclaim from even TV Guide’s sharpest critic, Michael Logan, who said of “Forgiving Troy,” “…the soap sensation who played Phillip Chancellor, III on ‘The Young and the Restless’ has written a terrific, gut-punching memoir that chronicles his triumph over an unspeakable family tragedy… Chilling, hopeful, spiritual - you’ll never read anything like it.” That’s how many of his critics feel about his dabbling in the art world. Many call his works, spiritual, hopeful and sometimes chilling.

One of the budding artists who decided to put some of her work up for evaluation was Tanya Mikaela. Mikaela wrote a moving letter to Thom Bierdz, which he shared with our readers. “I need to say thank you for all that you did to make the American Art Awards happen!! From your initial beautiful feedback of my work, to your facilitating my collages being entered in so many categories...I am grateful! Needless to say, I am overjoyed with the results of the competition. I was hoping to win something, but 12 awards is beyond incredible and I am smiling all over! This is just the validation I needed to remind me that I am on the right path. I took a leap of faith last year, and closed my interior design business to focus on my fine art...my first passion. This past year has been so personally rewarding, and the results of the competition is like the best birthday present I could receive right now!!!! What timing! Again, thank you Thom for all that you did to make this happen! You are doing something wonderful for so many fellow artists! [sic]”

Proving that talent sometimes does run in a family, Thom tells Canyon News who the new winner is for this year’s top category, which included Best Oil and Best Acrylic, “A grandmother in Chicago, Illinois won Best of Show, and 1st Place in two other categories. Jacqueline Patinkin, who happens to be the cousin of actor Mandy Patinkin, entered a wonderful acrylic painting titled ‘Ring-A-Round.’ It shows five children holding hands while moving in a circle. Coincidentally, she has five grandchildren and three grown children. She is a part-time painter that likes to paint greeting cards and is a volunteer at a food pantry. Three American Art Award galleries wanted to represent her painting and she decided on the nearest one, the Leigh Gallery of Chicago,” said Bierdz.

Calling some new talent in Beverly Hills, Brentwood, West Hollywood or Studio City! For any of our readers who want to know if they have what it takes to get their artwork showcased in a gallery in the U.S., Thom advises, “All artists are welcome to enter the 2010 competition at any time.”
For further information go to: AmericanArtAwards.com

Look for an in-depth feature article titled "The Eye of the Artist"  in the current issue of CBS Soaps In Depth with Thom on his artwork. 

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