Art Gallery - Collection of OriginalsOne of a Kind - Oils, Acrylics, Altered Art, Papers, Metals, and Found ObjectsAll 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.
"Revealed" - Original oil painting by Janie Mills - * SOLD* - 
"Left Behind" This painting depicts an old vintage bike leaning against a red outbuilding at Full Circle Retreat in Viroqua, Wisconsin. 
An oil painting of a portion of the little Full Circle farm house in Viroqua, wi. Click title of painting for more info.
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.
"Peony's Bow" - original oil - 8"x8"x1 1/2" canvas
I painted Peony's Bow after a storm came through and weighted the large heads to the ground in submission. It was an attempt to preserve their beauty for just a little longer. I wrote about Natures Power in a post on my art blog
"First Rose" - Oil on canvas -12"x16"x3/4"
I captured our first rose of the season in this still life. I placed the single stem in an old apothecary bottle to enjoy the simplicity of its grandeur.
"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
"Love Springs Eternal" - Tin Nicho or Shrine
This tin nicho, or shrine is designed in the traditional cross shape container, measuring 6" x 9". The glass front is hinged to open from the bottom, up. There are 3 separate compartments inside. I choose a vintage Italian Holy card of a Madonna in adoration of a rose that appears to have sprung up in the midst of nothing. I couldn't keep from thinking about how many times I have been surprised at finding beauty in the midst of what might have been viewed as ruins or despair. Following the rose symbol, I remembered some dried roses I had hung in the rafter in my studio from a bouquet that I couldn't bear to discard. With the baby's breath, a wash of bees wax and a sprinkle of glass glitter, I knew that the rose would now be encased for a loving memory. The milagro hearts, dripping with more bees wax seemed perfect for both the small compartments. I cut metal filigree to embellish each of the 4 points of the cross. After attaching, they were then painted with bees wax. There is a metal loop for a hanger on the back, but I added another option for hanging with the ribbon. The ribbon is composed of old lace taken from a wedding veil, pink,vintage baby blanket binding and a newly hand dyed silk ribbon. The back is signed, Janie Mills.This beauty is gonna be hard to part with. *Click title for pricing.
"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. * Sorry, this piece is Sold. But,I am 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. *Sorry - Sold! -
Shrines
Shrine - "I Dream You Run"
I made this shrine just for myself. It encapsulates a constant dream I have about our daughter who went to heaven at the age of 2 years. She left a body of limitations for one that walks on clouds, one that runs among flowers, and even one that lifted her with wings to fly!!!!!! An old worn out doll leg is centered in the glass front, box. The quotes on the silk ribbons read "I dream you walk", "I dream you run", "I dream you fly". The shrine and a photo is suspended and carried in a metal bird's mouth. This shrine I shall keep, but I am happy to make a special one from your specifications.
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!
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