"I allowed art the time to come forward in my life," said landscape artist Tom Neel, who is celebrating a quarter of a century as an artist in the Piedmont by mounting a show of his newest work, a book signing, and short documentary film about his art on Sept. 28 in Middleburg.

The celebration of Neel's artful life, "The Land Beneath My Feet," will be held in The Hill School's Sheila C. Johnson's Performing Arts Center. Open to the public from 6 to 8:30 p.m., Neel's solo-artist show represents his personal tribute to the Piedmont countryside that enveloped him 25 years ago.

With a flair for the creative early in life, Neel embraced photography, writing, music, and art, mingling that with a passion for cars and motorcycles. In his early 30's, Neel turned his attention to his creative talents as an artist, crafting this avenue as his full-time profession. In reflection, Neel attributes the business skills he learned early on in management positions to his success as an artist. With the keen insight of experience and trial and error, Neel states matter-of-factly that survival as a professional artist is dependent on a sense for how business operates.

Active in the community, Neel is a board member of the Loudoun Education Foundation and the lead judge for an annual student art competition in Loudoun County. He has reviewed thousands of pieces of student artwork and learned a great deal about these young artists while encouraging their emerging talent. He is eager to talk with students and their parents, and often shares a bit of his own wisdom that includes, "My advice is to stop worrying about art classes and start worrying about business classes."

Neel's overriding passion for the Piedmont landscape that surrounds his home near Marshall is reflected in much of his artwork, in which he uses oil as his medium. He notes that about 40 percent of his work is commissioned pieces, which in addition to landscapes has also featured subjects such as aircraft, including the F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter jet, and scenic golf courses. Neel's corporate clients include Sheila Johnson for whom he is creating a mural at Salamander Resort; Creighton Farms, where he is artist-in-residence, Lockheed Martin, The Inn at Little Washington, and Winchester Medical Center, among others.

Along with his wife, Linda, a talented textile artist, the Neels opened their own gallery, Live An Artful Life Gallery®, in The Plains almost five years ago. With Neel's business savvy at work, the couple took a calculated risk in a troubled economy. Their successful gallery features a diverse array of artwork, including paintings and American-made crafts such as glassware, pottery, woodwork, jewelry, and recycled art. Live An Artful Life Gallery® hosts special exhibits and theme shows, such as a recent show and sale of miniature works by local artists, and draws savvy clients to the tiny village of The Plains.

"Painters are record keepers," said Neel, who added that he is privileged that his landscapes inspired by the land he loves are now mounted in private collections across quite a few countries. "People come here to visit and fall in love with our countryside's beauty. I'm honored when they choose my paintings as a way to take a little piece of the Piedmont home with them," he said.

To learn more about Tom Neel's artwork attend "The Land Beneath My Feet" on Saturday, Sept. 28 at The Hill School, Middleburg, or visit www.thomasneel.com and www.liveanartfullife.com.