Art Gallery - Collection of Originals

One of a Kind - Oils, Acrylics, Altered Art, Papers, Metals, and Found Objects

All Art Gallery works are original, signed pieces by artist, Janie Mills. My works are full of symbolism and expression with meaning to me. My gift to the viewer is to stimulate and evoke a personal emotion that speaks to them. Sometimes that emotion comes as a surprise to them. At times it insists on reaching into the dormant corners long ignored but refusing to be forgotten. Acknowledging the past's influence on the present, my wish is to bring you a message of hope that through the past there is healing in the present. I have been told that I haven't given up the healing profession as a nurse at all. My profession in healing now just involves using a different medium. If that be true, then, there could be no greater pleasure than to offer this gift.

* Please click any art image or it's description for more detail. Although all works are original, similar works may be requested by commission.

"Left Behind" This painting depicts an old vintage bike leaning against a red outbuilding at Full Circle Retreat in Viroqua, Wisconsin.

"Full Circle Respite"

An oil painting of a portion of the little Full Circle farm house in Viroqua, wi. Click title of painting for more info.

"Breathe Outloud" An original oil painting by Janie Mills. 16" x 20" x 1" stretched canvas - unframed.
After dormancy, Mother Nature and Me, a Mother, showing our true colors to each other. Both laying ourselves out there in full view, naked- wondering if anyone would really notice.

"Not all eyes possess vision" - Original oil painting by Janie Mills. 30" X 30" X 1 1/2" gallery wrapped canvas, unframed.

This painting speaks volumes to me. It is a challenge to myself to hone in on the gift of seeing with eyes closed - only using other senses. Intuition rarely fails.

"Leaving a Fragrance" Original acrylic on canvas by Janie Mills - 9" x 12" x 3/4" unframed.

This painting is my depiction of a simple gift of fragrance left in a cup for me each morning by my husband. The cup and saucer is Nannie's (My husband's great grandmama) china- in all it's glory-with it's chips and stains. We do not save it for special days, we use it to make every day special. We do not store it up in safe-keeping, for, we only have today. Read my blog entry here for a personal insight to leaving the gift of fragrance as well as the inspiration for this piece.

"Daddy's Hail Clouds" Oil on canvas - 16" x 20" - * SOLD* -

This original oil painting is in honor of my loving Daddy. I have many memories of him staring out the back window of our Texas home, saying "Those clouds have hail in 'em". He always knew when the crops that sustained his family, were about to be totally wiped out. All we could do was hold our breath and pray. To this day, I have never developed the knack for knowing when hail is coming.

This piece is one I regret having let out of my own gallery collection. It is impossible to recreate the emotion.

"Petunia Blaze" Oil on canvas - 16"x20"x1 1/2"

I painted this pot of petunias En Plein Air in our backyard. The color was so vibrant with the sun casting a stunning shadow.

Tin Nichos as Shrines or Altars

"I carry you with me" - Sunburst Nicho I altered this little tin nicho, about 3 3/4" tall, into an impressive shrine or altar as homage to mothers everywhere. Inside it's glass, operational door, is an image of a Madonna and child from a vintage prayer card, and an inscription with "I carry you with me". There are crystals and beads attached by wire, as well as a luminous star hanging from the bottom. The latch is wrapped with silk ribbon to soften the rusty/verdigris, patina finish. The back has a loop for hanging or may also be placed on table top. Back is signed by artist, Janie Mills.

* We are always happy to customize a special shrine to your specifications.

If you prefer to make your own shrine, click here for options in unfinished nicho.

Tin Nicho Shrine - The Gift of Birth This tin container (2 1/2" x 3 3/4" plus 3/4" filigree)was altered into a sweet shrine as a homage to the gift of birth. The front image is of a Madonna and Child framed with Dresden gold foil paper scraps. The lid is hinged and opens with a vintage amber rondelle bead. Inside features the image with a snippet of the word "birth" along with it's definition taken from an old dictionary. There is a vintage gold colored heart charm and umber beads suspended at the top. Dried hydrangeas are sprinkled within and are surrounding the word "gift". A gold color metal filigree finishes the top and hides a wire hanger. The word "Mother" is decoupaged at the top.

Wire Dress Forms as Artistic Sculptures

"Perfect Coming and Going" - wire dress form Original, paper, wire, dress form designed by Janie Mills.

My thought for this design was as a homage to women who feel they must look perfect, but, all the while may feel something totally different underneath. Miss Perfect, Coming and Going, is wearing a paper gown as a thin veil to cover a protection of wire undercarriage. The dress is adorned with gold crowns and French script. Gold-flecked, wedding tulle is consciously cinched tightly at the waist with a crystal and pearl vintage earring. The back features a dainty vintage posie, silk ribbon, and white feathered wings. Underneath is an altogether different scene. There, you discover a page of an old medical illustration of Aphrodite's body depicting her "regions of insanity"- i.e.region of crime & selfishness, energy, combativeness, love of power, spirituality, seat of the soul, etc. A very unique, one-of-a-kind, statement!