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 Acknowledged
globally as a master artist of visual story telling, Tom Mielko
is best known for his finely honed ability to communicate with the
viewer in a personal, intimate way. His passion for living and love
for his craft radiate from every brushstroke of his work.

Born
in Dorchester, Massachusetts, Tom was gifted with a natural talent
for art. He drew his first sketches at the age of six and encouraged
by his parents, went on to study at the Boston Museum of Fine Arts
School and the prestigious Art Institute of Boston, where he eventually
taught. Even at a young age, Tom had a unique eye for bringing out
subtlety as he captured a moment or the poetry in a play of light.

Committed
to making painting his full time livelihood, Mielko forged ahead
with his own gallery in 1970. Through his friend and patron Anthony
Athanas, Tom established the Sextant Gallery within Athanass
renowned restaurant in Boston Harbor.

During
visits with his former teacher and mentor, Phil Hicken on Nantucket
Island, Tom enjoyed painting the serene beaches, grassy dunes, rose
drenched gardens, and cranberry bogs. He soon felt the need to seek
a refuge from the urban life of Boston and retreat permanetly to
the unspoiled island.

Once
settled on Nantucket, Mielko went to work for The Chelko Gallery
where he and owner, Paul Chelko, became fast friends and business
partners. One year later the gallerys name was changed to
The Chelko-Mielko Gallery. When Chelko made a move to Atlanta to
pursue abstract art, Tom stayed on in Nantucket. He established
The Mielko Gallery, in a unique, Nantucket shanty, where fishermen
once stored their nets. Mielkos highly successful gallery
continued for 35 years and became a historic Nantucket landmark,
the oldest gallery on South Wharf.Mielkos quintessential Nantucket
beach scenes established his signature style, very quickly winning
the artist awards and collectors from every part of the world. His
more prominent collectors include publisher and art collector, Malcolm
Forbes; Presidents Ronald Reagan and Bill Clinton; actress Jane
Seymour, singer songwriter, Donna Summer and former General Electric
CEO, Jack Welch. His work has been included in the collections of
the Smithsonian and the Santa Barbara Historical Museums.
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