An Interview with Visionary Local Artist Patrick John Mills

By Patrick John Mills and Albert Lightstone

This season we had a spectacular array of plays in addition to a slew of multitalented artists displaying their work in The Spotlight Gallery of the Janigan Studio. To finish up the year, we are pleased to have renowned artist Patrick John Mills showcasing his breathtaking work which is a reflection of both his talents and the ongoing battle he is having with a terrible affliction.

In order to prepare for this interview, I had perused a number of his videos on YouTube. I must say that it was truly fascinating to watch him at work.

He took time out to discuss with us his journey and his work to date.

Where are you from?
My mother’s womb. I am not trying to be a joker with this response. My mother was my first country. And it was her emotional umbrella that hosted me.

What did you study?
My father was a product of his generation. So with the tools of his love, he guided me towards studying civil engineering. I was very gifted in mathematics and physics, but just because you are good at something does not mean that you can do it. My father died of a heart attack during the summer after my second year of studies. And I found myself falling into art.

How did you end up in Ottawa?
My first wife had family who lived in Ottawa. After Isabelle was born, we moved from London, England, to be closer to her family.

When did you realize that you wanted to become an artist? Did you study towards that goal?
I did not wish to be an artist. It was something I resisted and resisted. But I found myself painting 40 hours a week every week for three years. So that paintings kept piling up. When I completed my university degree at Concordia (with a major in Childhood Studies), I moved back to Vancouver. I got a full-time job for a few months. And quit that. I decided to accept being an artist. So I started painting 70 to 110 hours a week for the next two years. I figured if I was going to be successful as an artist… I’d better develop my skills.

You mention in one of your videos that you lived out west on “skid row” before moving out to London and living in Covent Gardens. Tell me please about the journey and how it influenced you an artist.
I was living with my sister. But her marriage fell apart leaving me in a pretty compromising situation. So I found a place I could afford – $500 per month. I lived a block from Main and Hastings. I had never done drugs, never smoked a cigarette, never even tried coffee. So I was pretty naïve to life on skid row. Oddly I loved it. I found an acute sense of freedom that was intoxicating and liberating. I also met some really interesting individuals who were raw and most kind. I do not think living on skid row influenced me much as an artist, but rather more as a human being. The fragile nature of life made me very aware of how delicate we are.

I sold 14 paintings one week and moved to London, England. I missed nature. I had a willow tree in Richmond that I loved very much. That tree was a friend to me. I spent time painting five canvases over a two-month period. When I moved to London I was surrounded by buildings and more buildings. I missed my willow tree. So I did a series of paintings titled Willow World. They were large, modern, abstract paintings with approximately 25 delicate layers of oil paint. They were well received and I won some awards and managed to purchase a property in East London.

How did you end up back in Canada?
My daughter was born and I wished to raise her in Canada. This was a difficult decision. I was only 32 years old. My career was doing well as an artist. We sold our belongings and returned to Ottawa mortgage free. We had enough money to buy our 3-bedroom house, 2-bedroom apartment, and studio without a mortgage.

You have an art factory in Renfrew and a studio. What’s the difference?
I purchased an old foundry / factory that used to make manhole covers in Renfrew. It is a 10,384 square foot building. The property has five lots of land on the main road of Renfrew. There is a duplex house, an attached building at the rear of our home that has been converted into an art supply store. There is a 1,500 square foot warehouse that is an exhibition space and show room. The main building is still under construction, but I anticipate renovations will be completed late spring, early summer of 2024. It will be the largest independently owned non-government-funded art space in Canada.

How do you divide your time between the two?
I am a very hard-working individual. My time management is very disciplined. My level of involvement in my life is very focused. I have been painting for 31 years. I have thousands and thousands of paintings. I have sold over 5,000 works of art. So I wished to create something more than paint on canvas.

I wanted to create an economic ecosystem that is interactive with the community that celebrates creativity and connection. The Art Factory main building will host the arts… painting, dance, music, film, poetry, theatre, comedy, wellness, art classes, events… anything that brings people together to celebrate art and the human soul. I find the time. But it is taking a lot longer and more work than anticipated. Not to mention money. I have spent approximately 1.2 million dollars. Soon it will be completed and this vision will be shared with art lovers. But in short… I find the time. It is important. I believe in this vision. The heart beats with a little extra red blood when there is passion involved.

Is there a story behind one of the paintings displayed at the OLT?
There is always a story behind each painting. For me – a painting is a window to your soul. Every painting is a self-portrait of your emotional landscape.