Today we’d like to introduce you to Brian Mills.
Hi Brian, so excited to have you on the platform. So, before we get into questions about your work life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today.
Painting, drawing, building Hobby Lobby model airplanes with my pops; music, creative writing, almost any version of creative expression and its infinite forms have always been part of my life and upbringing. I never had any real intent to become what can be called an artist, a painter, or a world-renowned creative, but if those first two can turn into a reality then I’ll be damned if we can’t shoot for 3 for 3. Stranger things have happened.
What’s good! I’m Brian Mills, or Freeside Mills. I’m a financial/wealth advisor and artist, who grew up in the south in Texas and Oklahoma (it’s a real state with real people), and I now live in Los Angeles. I went to Princeton University where I majored in Cognitive Psychology and Neuroscience (started with Aerospace Engineering, for some humbling comic relief), and played varsity football there as well. I’ve been in LA around 4 years now, after spending 4 years living in the cultural and artistic mecca that is Philly right after college. It’s been 2 years since the last conversation I’ve had with our great VoyageLA crew here, and a lot has changed! But first, a bit of background on “Why ‘Freeside’?”.
In short, Freeside Mills comes from freeing yourself from the idea that you do, or are not something. From younger years to even now, I’m sure we’ve all heard or even said something close to following in response to seeing a beautiful painting, an elaborate meal, etc: “I could never do that, I’m not [insert adjective] enough for that”, That always bothered me because…says who? Personally, I’ve taken no formal classes, or done anything that would suggest a path that leads to painting or creating art. But the experiment is; freeing yourself from the thought that whatever project or idea you have in your head has to happen right away; Or, that some artists/creators weren’t absolute hot garbage at what they do at some point in their path, myself included; Or that your first attempt has to be just right. Give yourself the freedom to suck at first, to paint/make the same thing a few times, to learn, fail, try something new, YouTube it (it’s not cheating), to still suck at it, but ultimately and most importantly, give yourself the freedom to enjoy your process, your creativity, and the ability to try and express it.
Fast forward to now, about half a decade into taking myself seriously as an artist, and I’ve built a small, but incredibly satisfying art company that allows me to paint nostalgically original, colorful artwork for myself, as well as others. The best part is that the pieces are a reflection of me, and the multiple creative influences over the years. Growing up a young black kid in the 90s South, in a single-father household, I spent a lot of my time embedded in football, in school, or embedded in some book or game.
The creative outlets I had were mostly made up of flooding myself with cartoons, music videos, pop culture, graffiti, album artwork, video games, magazines, books, a 90s kid fever dream basically. Take being wrapped up in these influences as a kid with enough imagination for two, the whatever-it-takes-just-get-it-
Candidly, the process has been completely surreal. And. with the aggressive and consistent encouragement of friends and family, I continue to sell my art, continue to participate in local art showcases around Los Angeles, and continue to create things that younger me would be immensely proud of. It’s corny, but creativity is truly the stuff that makes the world as incredible as we experience it, and being able to both contribute to that and encourage others to do the same is a feeling beyond words.
Separately, thank you, for indulging me and reading. I hope you’re enjoying the journey so far.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Starting your own business, being your own best marketing advocate, generating a genuine following, providing them with the behind-the-scenes process and enjoyment that I personally love, etc. It’s a lot of complex hats to be worn at the same time. At times it’s hard to keep up, and switch to the appropriate one.
I’m admittedly a very old soul, and I’ve struggled to keep pace with the fact that you can find the next best thing and lose interest in something in a second. It’s proven difficult, honestly, to make the art and process into “content” that both attracts potential supporters, and keeps current ones satisfied. I don’t really know what that means half the time. That being said, there’s also comfort in knowing that those that stick around are seeing things that I truly enjoy, and the highs and lows of the process in real time. The hope is that they/you resonate with it in some way.
Catching and capitalizing on inspiration when it comes is difficult as well. I have a career as an investment manager that’s time consuming by itself, and the amount of half-finished and 80% done pieces that exist is crazy. Though this is something I feel a lot of “can I make this my real career?” artists can relate to.
That being said, finding that routine, catching that flame of inspiration and consistency of work, is what has made this whole experience so satisfying. There’s just something that I love about that chaos, and coming out of the other side of this twisted path, with pieces I enjoy, and the support of a growing following.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
As I’ve grown, and “found my vision” within Freeside Mills, the mediums of choice are canvas, longboards/skateboards of various sizes and styles, as well as wood panels for triptych-type installations. Typing that out still sounds wild to me.
Additionally, I use acrylic paint, both standard and aerosol, painters tape, and graphite pencil to try and bring these to life.
They may not look it at first glance, but most if not all of my work is very geometric and layered, with any piece consisting of 2-10 layers. The pieces themselves don’t take incredibly long to make, but working through and planning the layers mentally is a bit of a process (still holding onto that engineering hoop dream). When it comes to this process, I’m very methodical and calculated in placement of different elements of a piece, while trying to still let the chaos of background and color come through.
I’ve become most known for the original works I do on various longboards, the medium I started with. That’s since graduated to working with triptychs and other wood installations, but recently the boards have made a real effort to become a staple again.
In terms of what sets me apart from others, I’ll leave that to you. I will say that I pride myself on never running away from a new challenge, new style, or way of bringing a piece together, and taking whoever wants to tag along with me. I love opening up the process. When a personal piece or a commission is done, everyone has participated in the layering, the issues, the rough drafts, the final reveal, all of it. Those pieces forever have a story that others feel they played a part in. And I love that.
Who else deserves credit in your story?
This list is crazy, so I’ll keep it short. I have my family and friends to thank. Without them, this wouldn’t be something I’d even fathom. Thank y’all, so much. I appreciate your never questioning my goals and receiving my ideas with nothing but “go do it then” and support.
Thank you as well to whatever small following this thing has cooked up over the years. I hope it’s been enjoyable, at the very least, to see where this takes us.
We’re just getting started.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.etsy.com/shop/FreesideMills
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/freesidemills/
Image Credits
Jim Donnelly
