mildred jarrett

Donelson, Tennessee

Mildred “Millie” Jarrett is a Tennessee artist, who works primarily in oils and acrylics, to create engaging works of modern, abstract and representational art.  One of Nashville’s premier abstract artists for more than two decades, Millie’s work transcends the boundaries of contemporary and traditional.

Millie began her art education at age fifteen.  She later went on to study at The University of Tennessee, Middle Tennessee State University, and Volunteer State College earning an AFA from Watkins College of Art and Design.  As a young woman she began selling encyclopedias door to door to supplement for art supplies.  This necessity turned into a career in sales management which led to her becoming an international trainer for sales and motivational speaker.  Her numerous experiences in world travel lead her to recognize the diversity of peoples and their art is greatly reflected in her work.  Usually there is no subject matter except emotional feelings that surface from her many past experiences. 

“I strive to make my work edgy, with multi-layered surfaces of revealing contradictions such as:  high-energy movements versus passive quietness; disarray versus order; and fully embodied color versus subtle and seductive somberness.  These dualities involve the conscious and the subconscious.  My goal is to create signature works making a conscious effort toward a balance of deliberate decisions coupled with the sheer joy of painting impulsively.  This personal manner of expression is challenging, self-revealing, yet obvious to the viewer.”

Want to hear more about Mildred? Check out the video interview from when she was our Artist of the Month!