According to Graphic Excursions: American Prints in Black and White, 1900-1950, published in 1991: "Mildred ("Dolly") McMillen (1884-1940) was one of the printmakers who made Provincetown, Massachusetts, a thriving artists' colony between the world wars. McMillen's views of Provincetown exhibit a simple charm that does not depend on picture-postcard attractiveness. McMillen was born in Chicago and attended the School of the Art Institute of Chicago from 1906 to 1913. Traveling to Europe the following year, she became a part-time student of Ethel Mars in Paris and later worked at the Academie Colarossi. The outbreak of World War I brought many artists back to the United States; McMillen was among them. She settled in Provincetown and absorbed influences from the many active artists there. She exhibited a block print in the First Annual Exhibition of the Provincetown Art Association and continued to be active for many years."