Tom Boutell was born in Detroit, Michigan in 1943. He served in Vietnam with the U.S. Army Special Forces. He graduated from West Texas State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1970 and a Master of Arts degree in 1972. He taught art in the public school system for 29 years. Tom is described as an abstract colorist with works including water color, collage, and acrylic on canvas. He resides in Muleshoe, Texas.