Born in Oregon City, Oregon in 1940, Tom Blodgett received his undergraduate degree in art from Lewis and Clark College in Portland in 1962 and Master of Fine Arts from the University of Oregon in 1966. He studied under the important Oregon painter David McCosh and the internationally known painter, printmaker, and teacher Jack Wilkinson, who proved to be Blodgett's most influential mentor.
Blodgett was an instructor in the Division of the Arts at Lane Community College, teaching basic and advanced courses in design, drawing, painting, figure study and visual arts. He also taught at the University of Oregon, Oregon State University, the Museum of Art School in Portland, Maude Kerns Art Center, and his own studio in Eugene. He had a reputation as a charismatic and inspiring teacher who challenged students to see art in a new way. During his later years, Blodgett continued to mentor a number of devoted students in his studio. He died in 2012 at the age of 72.