Tom Missel

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Raised in St. Louis, Missel realized at a young age that he was destined to a life as an artist. Although mostly self-taught, he studied art at Washington University and Fontbonne College in St. Louis and later studied at the School of Visual Concepts in Seattle.

With a thirst for adventure coupled with a desire to capture the beauty that nature offers, Tom found himself in Alaska as a young man pursuing scenes for painting and other art. Missel's experiences of living in coastal Alaska and commercial fishing, especially in Prince William Sound, for over two decades has provided unlimited inspirations for works of art. He believes to convey an experience through art one must have an in-depth personal relationship with the subject one wishes to bring to life on the canvas. From there, a painting is produced to take the viewer into the world of that image and to invoke that experience through all the viewer's senses. His aim is to capture unique feelings that one experiences from the magic found in the burst of summer plumage, the chill of January light glimmering off snowy branches, the awe-inspiring atmosphere in high mountain vistas, the effect of light on an ocean dawn or the multitudes of hidden jewels spread throughout the region.

Now living in Girdwood, Alaska provides Tom with a plentiful supply of painting possibilities right outside his front door.