Rodney Murrow

Bio

I'm entering my sixth decade of life and feel, in many ways, that I am finally learning to live; certainly, I am continuing to learn. The magic number '60' arrived coincidentally with my birthday in the year 2009.

A native of Woods county, Oklahoma, I left my 'home-land' for several years to pursue advanced education and to begin my teaching career. Luckily, I was able to return to my alma mater in 1983 and have been 'at home' since that time. My roots go deep in the red earth of northwest Oklahoma (yes, even in years of severe drought). I'm the sixth of eight generations of my family who have lived and died in Woods county, many of whom were living here in Oklahoma Territory in the years before Oklahoma was admitted to the Union, November 16, 1907. Great-grandparents on both sides of my family tree came to Woods county as homesteaders during the Run of 1893, when the Cherokee Strip was opened for settlement. One homestead remains in the family and was identified as a "Centennial Farm" in 1993, the 100th anniversary of the Run of 1893.

From my first Kodak Brownie Starlet (127 film) to my newest camera (Nikon D40), I have enjoyed 'taking pictures' for most of my life. Most photos seem to fall in the category of 'snap shots,' but I continually seek a higher lever of creativity and artistry in my work, with varying degrees of success.

The description of Utata as a 'tribal' community is an accurate one and I'm enjoying my participation with the tribe.