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Tom grew up in a dark room, helping his serious amateur photographer father wash prints. It was not until his mid 30's that he renewed an interest in photography as a means of obtaining images much quicker than sketching and painting.
Within a short period of time Tom became involved in teaching photography, first at a youth center, then at a park and recreation center. This led to a seven year stint at Tulsa Junior College teaching a variety of photo classes in the Adult Continuing Education program. A move to Chicago resulted in shifting his teaching activity to the College of Dupage in a similar program to TJC.
As a result of teaching Tom experimented with a wide range of photographic work including scenics, portraits, sports, macro, special events and travel photography. Professional activity concentrated on portraiture, event coverage and forensic photography in addition to teaching.
In 1999 a show in Tulsa highlighted Tom's three decades of photography in an exhibit titled 'A Self Critque'. In 2000, Images of England, 26 cibachrome prints were displayed at Summit Canyon Coffee, Glenwood Springs Colorado. The Tulsa Photo Collective hosted an exhibit (search using TPC Exhibit to see the entire exhibit) March through April of 2006 at OSU-Tulsa campus in Pictures Gallery. Tom had two images accepted to the juried exhibit 'Centerfold 2007' at the Leslie Powell Foundation Gallery (see Centerfold gallery). After a brief visit home, the images returned to the OVAC Biennial juried exhibit at the Maybee-Gerrer Art Museum. In September, 2007 the Leslie Powell Gallery in Lawton, Oklahoma exhibited 'Passages', a 20 image presentation of entries, streets, sidewalks and hallways.
Over the past two years Tom has embraced digital technolgy and is currently only processing images using Epson Ultrachrome K3 inks and long life papers. Images obtained before 2005 were typically on Kodachrome Professional or Fuji Velvia and are now being scanned to be processed via digital darkroom techniques.
Contact via email (tommills1@cox.net) or by phone at 918-638-8683
Personal Statement:
Every photo I display has a personal meaning to me. This comes from either the image representing something significant, or the essence of the place in which I'm taking the photo, or sometimes from the companionship experienced during the shoot. I do not believe I own a 'displayed' image that doesn't fit this description. Sometimes, an image represents more than one attribute; those usually are the stronger images (in my mind).
Tom Mills |
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