Local artist showcases his talent

 

JohnMills1John Mills, a native Neosho artist, displayed his artwork during Fine Arts Week and throughout the month in the Longwell Museum located in the Elsie Plaster Community Center. An artist reception was held Feb. 15 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Mills also demonstrated how he creates an oil painting using chiaroscuro and other elements to art students on the final day of his exhibit’s showcasing.

“I learned a lot from his uses of different light sources,” said Mason Eberle, freshman biology major. “What impressed me was how quickly he was able to paint the picture and how he used light to make a dull setting into something with energy.”

Formerly the owner of Mills Park Centre, a family furniture and mattress store which closed in 2013, Mills has dedicated his time to his artwork. He has won awards at the ArtCentral Membership Show and at the Maple Leaf Festival Paint-Out, both held in Carthage. Mills also welcomes commissions of his artwork.

Mills features his philosophy on art on his website saying, “From super-reality to total abstraction, each artist puts himself into his medium. For me, I am intrigued most by realism and impressionism, striving to use the artistic freedom to combine the two in my work. Whether it is a still life or portrait in the studio or painting on location, en plein air, each presents a compelling challenge and I hope my patrons are drawn to linger upon my art.”

For more information on John Mills, students can visit his website at www.johnmilsart.com.