Gareth Thomas was born in 1955 in Swansea. He attended Trinity College, Carmarthen. He left teaching in 1979 to paint full time, and has exhibited widely throughout the UK. His work can be seen in many public collections including those of Swansea City Council, Dyfed County Council and the Royal Artillery. His paintings have been purchased by people, from as far apart as America and Australia and in 1984 he was elected committee member of the Watercolour Society of Wales.