Illustrates aviation. Tom has also illustrated for national and international magazines, advertising agencies, and publishing houses. Teaches both reflective and digital illustration in the undergraduate Communications Design Department.

B.F.A., Parsons The New School of Design;

M.F.A., Syracuse University.

The Richthofen Project, 2024-

Thomas La Padula is engaged in bringing a unique project to fruition to support his work’s continuing direction.  The Richthofen Project will be an illustrated manuscript depicting historical events from September 1916 to April 1918, exploring the visual documentation of each of Manfred von Richthofen, the Red Baron’s aerial victories. This illustrated manuscript will be the first time both illustrations of all 80 Richthofen 80 victories will be presented in book form. La Padula will also be the narration’s author, consisting of over 25,000 words. In addition, this project has a publisher with plans to publish in both print and electronic/digital media. This historical epic will use his creative energy for the spring of 2025, with travel to research centers in the USA and Europe.

History of Illustration Project – Winner of a 2019 CHOICE Award

Tom La Padula is one of the founding members of the History of Illustration Project membership, which is comprised of post-secondary faculty teaching illustration and art history, scholars affiliated with several universities, essential collectors, publishers, and dealers, curators specializing in illustration art, and prominent practitioners with decades of experience. Participants included several published authors of books and articles on various topics in the art and history of illustration. This project concluded with the publication of The History of Illustration. Hundreds of color images show illustrations within their social, cultural, and technical context, while they are ordered from the past to the present. Readers can analyze images for their displayed techniques, cultural standards, and ideas to appreciate the art form. This essential guide is the first history of illustration written by an international team of illustration historians, practitioners, and educators.