American, b. April 14, 1938, Omaha, Nebraska

Tom Tyler graduated from the University of Minnesota with a BA in studio art.where he studied under nationally-known painter, Cameron Booth, and well-known regionalist, Josephine Rollins. Influences include the German Expressionists who worked in the first half of the 20th century. Tyler has exhibited in 34 international, national, regional and one-man shows and galleries in five states where he has won numerous awards. Additionally, he has served on a city art board of directors and has lectured on art history. His work hangs in private and corporate collections in the US, Canada and London England. His paintings have been used on a CD album cover, and he authored an article in a widely circulated magazine. During a one man show his paintings were featured on TV, 10 PM news on the ABC affiliate in Duluth, Minnesota.

Tyler concentrates on acrylic paintings in the Expressionist style covering a wide variety of subjects. He applies paint in bright colors and dramatic contrasts, and often draws, almost sketch-like with paint to create excitement, movement, the essence of the subject. Of his work he says:

"Usually I select a subject and explore it from different angles. Important things for me are power, intensity and the ability of the painting to 'carry them away.' One can see these attributes in all great paintings from a 15th century Pisanello to a 20th century Matisse.

"Awards don't mean anything unless the work impacts the viewer, unless it 'carries them away.' These characteristics will deliver eternal pleasure and never become ordinary."

Tyler resides in Minneapolis where he is a full time painter and he teaches art.

ABOUT THE EAGLES

Can an artist not paint an eagle...sooner or later? It took me a while, but here they are. Why eagles?

There is no more majestic or noble-looking creature on the planet than an eagle. Just look at them. Alaskan eagles – up to 15 lbs, wing span 8 ft, nests weigh up to one metric ton, able to fly up to 43 mph, dive at 99 mph and carry prey that weigh as much as the eagle's weight. Live up to 20 years.

Navajo Indians considered an eagle feather to be a protector, The Lacota Indians on the Great Plains gave an eagle feather as an honor. The Pawnee considered eagles as a symbol of fertility and the Chactaw as a symbol of peace. Read an Iroquois poem:

"Screaming the night away
With his great wing feathers
Swooping the darkness up;
I hear the Eagle bird
Pulling the blanket back
Off from the eastern sky."
...a worthy bird.