Well known for his distinctive European village scenes coupled with the heavy application of oil paint by both brush and palette knife, the late Tom Espin (1915 - 2005) began working on such subjects in the 1970s. The works found a ready market allowing the artist to return to Europe on regular painting trips with his wife Edith. The couple also travelled widely in China and the Pacific.

In his early years, Scottish born Esplin exhibited at the Royal Society of Artists, London and the Royal Society of Watercolourists, Scotland. He gained a Diploma of Fine Arts at Edinburgh College, Scotland. Arriving in New Zealand in 1954 the artist spent 30 years as Senior Lecturer and Associate Professor at the University of Otago School of Design. Retirement resulted in a busy life as a successful full time professional artist.