John Mills

HIGH on SIGNS

June 7 – July 5, 2014

John Mills

Installation view.  2014

John Mills

Identity Crisis.  2013

Oil and graphite on canvas

30 x 30”

 

(JoM14 5)

John Mills

Minefountain.  2012

Oil on canvas

20 x 20”

 

(JoM14 6)

John Mills

Mass Reduction.  2013

Oil on canvas

78 x 78”

 

(JoM14 7)

John Mills

Tasty Frieze.  2014

Oil and graphite on canvas                            

54 x 54”

 

(JoM14 8)

John Mills

High Anxiety.  2014

Oil and graphite on canvas

78 x 78”

 

(JoM14 9)

John Mills

Wonder Valley.  2013

Oil and graphite on canvas

36 x 36”          

 

(JoM13 03)

John Mills

Modern Kiss.  2014

Oil and graphic on canvas

78 x 78”

 

(JoM14 10)

John Mills

Shock & Awe.  2014

Oil and graphite on canvas

36 x 36”

 

(JoM14 11)     

John Mills

Gentle Land.  2013

Oil and graphite on canvas

36 x 36”

 

(JoM14 12)

John Mills

Installation view.  2014

John Mills

Capitoline Hill.  2013

Oil and graphite on canvas

36 x 36”

 

(JoM13 04)

John Mills

MD 20/20.  2014

Oil on canvas

78 x 78”

 

(JoM14 13)

John Mills

Creation Dome.  2014

Oil and graphite on canvas

78 x 78”

 

(JoM14 14)

John Mills

formfountain.  2013

Oil on canvas

78 x 78”

 

(JoM14 15)

John Mills

Maidstoned.  2013

Oil on canvas

54 x 54”

 

(JoM14 16)

John Mills

Installation view.  2014

John Mills

Happy To Be Here.  2014

Oil and graphite on canvas

30 x 30”

 

(JoM14 17)

John Mills

Peanut Gallery.  2014

Oil and graphic on canvas

48 x 48”

 

(JoM14 18)

John Mills

LA VIDA LOCA.  2014

Oil and graphite on canvas

48 x 48”

 

(JoM14 19)

John Mills

Googlehorn.  2013

Oil and graphite on canvas

78 x 78”

 

(JoM14 20)

John Mills

Forum of One.  2013

Oil on canvas

20 x 20”

 

(JoM13 01)

John Mills

fried fountain.  2013

Oil and graphite on canvas

36 x 36”

 

(JoM14 22)

Press Release

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.