Tom Mittemeyer's Page

Tom's world.

You'll find creations here that suit the fancy of some, and fuit the schmancy of others. But this is what I have to offer up. Be it abstract compositions, photo realism with pencil, dots and more dots, Grateful Dead this and Grateful Dead that, medical illustrations, symmetrical compositions, thematic recycled arrangements, and a whole bunch more.

I've made my toast and jam for the most part of my adult life as a graphic artist/production artist/graphic designer/typesetter, prepress operator, etc, etc. Personally I'd rather draw for a living. I'm working on it.

So far I have two claims to fame. I was on the start-up team (founding member) of USA Today, the newspaper that changed the look of the newspaper from black and white to color with informational graphics, charts, etc. Yup, I even worked on the prototypes (and have printed copies) and was busy busting tail on launch night back on September 15, 1982. I was a paste-up artist then, fresh out of college. Speaking of....

My college figure drawing professor, Ken Barrick (who could paint like nobody's business) was himself taught in college by the famous painter Grant Wood; the guy who painted "American Gothic." You know, the great depression era grimmer than thou American Farm couple, pitchfork and all. Mr. Barrick was old school, tough as nails as a professor, and I learned much from him. My pencil work is a tribute to never getting an A in any of the many classes I took from him. I felt as though I had to please him even after I graduated and was long gone.

I try not to cater to any one particular style, though I have a soft spot for pointillism (dots), symmetry and asymmetry. Creatively speaking, I'm always striving for that which can't be reached visually, and boy do I have a long way to go. I try however, so there's got to be something said for effort. Hope you enjoy the tour.

And lastly but not leastly, I'm available for projects if my styles are what you seek.

Have a great day.

Tom