Theodoros Stamos was born on December 31, 1922 in New York City. His parents were Greek immigrants, with his mother coming from Sparta and his father from Lefkada. Growing up in a multicultural household, Stamos was exposed to a variety of influences that would later shape his artistic style.
Stamos attended the American Artists School, where he studied under the guidance of Joseph Solman, a member of The Ten, a group of influential American painters. It was during his time at the school that Stamos discovered his passion for abstract art, drawing inspiration from the works of Georgia O'Keeffe.
After completing his education, Stamos began to exhibit his artwork at the Wakefield Gallery and Bookshop, where his unique style caught the attention of the art world.
Stamos was a contemporary and friend of Willem De Kooning and Jackson Pollock, two of the leading figures of the Abstract Expressionist movement. His close relationship with these artists influenced his own work, as he explored new ways of expressing emotion and form through abstract shapes and colors.
Stamos also formed a close friendship with Mark Rothko, another prominent Abstract Expressionist painter. In fact, Stamos served as the executor of Rothko's estate after his untimely death. Unfortunately, Rothko's daughter later sued Stamos for allegedly mishandling her father's paintings, leading to a strained relationship between the two artists.
Despite the controversy surrounding his involvement in Rothko's estate, Stamos's legacy as a pioneering Abstract Expressionist painter remains intact. His bold use of color and form continues to inspire artists to this day, solidifying his place in art history as one of the greats.