Photo by James Kamuf
Hidden Treasure Waterfall,
Wolf Creek Pass, east of Durango, CO

Selected Biography

As an artist I deepen perception and awareness physically, psychologically, and philosophically through form, gesture, iconic symbolism, the natural world and adherence to an ever-present overlay of generated and sustained order.  As I labor I embark on a journey to a mysterious world I know only once I arrive. The works inform each other and convey the process of showing complex experience in a single spontaneous yet carefully orchestrated and delicately balanced moment.

1972  Born in Bigspring, Texas, Edwards AFB, to Mary lou Drummond and Jay D Milstead. Early life spent in various locations throughout the southern and western United States including California, Arizona, New Mexico, and Alabama.

1977  Family moves to Vicenza, Italy. Strongly influenced by Italian language and culture. Traveled throughout the country including the first of many visits to Tuscany. Impressed by Pompeian ruins and emperor Hadrian’s gardens.

1981  Family moves to Clovis, New Mexico. Culture shock. Memories of dust storms, tornados and red dirt life on the high desert indicate strong environmental impact. Summers spent in southern Colorado.

1984  Family moves to Oslo, Norway.  Introduction to Socialist culture. Art influences include Norwegian figurative sculptor Viggeland. Environmental influences include the midnight sun, cobalt mines, never ending forests, sailing and many forms of skiing and snow and glacial survival.

1988  Family moves to Kalkar, Germany adjacent to Cleve near the Rhein River. Significant exposure to northern European religious wood statuary and medieval art and architecture.  Many visits to the cities of Amsterdam, Cologne, Paris, Brussels and Copenhagen provide exposure to many historical and contemporary art forms. Attended the International School of Düsseldorf in industrial region of Nordrhein Westphalia.     Lenbachhaus...

1990  Solitary move to Munich, Germany to attend University of Maryland.  Many visits to the Lenbachhaus where Kandinsky and Der Blaue Reiter collections are housed and the Neue and Alte Pinakothek and Glyptothek to study Classic Greek and Roman sculpture. Independent tours to Egypt to study art and history and Russia to study Russian literature and art. Traveled extensively throughout Poland, Czech Republic, Austria, eastern Spain and Greece.
Received AA from University of Maryland, Munich Germany.

1992- 1993- Attended Studio Art Centers International in Italy for painting and drawing. Studied renaissance, baroque, romanesque and medieval art and architecture. Traveled to London to study painting at Wimbledon School of Art in Wimbledon, England. Extensive exposure to modern, post-modern and contemporary art in London.  

1995- Moved to United States to complete education at University of Arizona, earned BFA in painting, drawing and printmaking and BA in Art History, magna cum laude.

1998-2001  Developed interest in landscape design and botany of the desert and mountain regions of the Southwest. Received certification from Permaculture Drylands Institute.

2002-2009  Art conservation specialist in oil painting for Fraser Giffords Art Conservators. Book illustration for University of Arizona Press.

2004  Rekindling of personal interest in drawing and painting through The Drawing Studio.

2006  Earned teaching certification for Drawing Fundamentals from mentor Andrew Rush at The Drawing Studio, Tucson, Arizona. Commenced study with several acclaimed Tucson based artists to learn approaches to art and teaching.

2006  Artist in Residence at Petrified Forest National Park.

Currently a practicing freelance artist, artist in residence attendee in Arizona and Colorado and drawing and painting Instructor at The Drawing Studio in Tucson, and Patagonia, Arizona.

For contact information, see Events page.