Approaching painting by way of mark making, John Mills presents a series of compelling paintings for his first exhibition at Rosamund Felsen Gallery, HIGH on SIGNS. In these paintings, gestural lines sinuate around, sometimes emerging into vague shapes, other times into obscure forms, creating a rich schema of marks, symbols and colors - self-contained and relating to each other within the boundaries of the canvas.
Originating from intuitive freeform drawings and emanating from his meditations, the paintings are a translation of these drawings that have been further reflected upon by analyzing the intentions behind his original gestures, while expanding selected forms, and construing into the paintings meaningful colors and additional layers. The paintings materialize from this process until Mills feels a harmony is established. Additional elements, which might subvert this harmony, are sometimes introduced. However, they only serve to generate greater meaning for Mills in the painting as a whole. The marks on the canvases whisper reflective notions in our thoughts while the forms allude to familiar objects in our imagination. The many elements in Mills’ canvases collude, inviting a view into the subconscious as personal interpretations and unique understandings are subtly elicited.