Meet Sean Mills: artist, painter, designer (he/him)

We had the good fortune of connecting with Sean Mills and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Sean, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
What was your thought process behind starting your own business? I wanted to create something to address the needs me and my friends always faced. They say you should only become a Director if you can’t help it. Likewise, I keep feeling like SOMEONE should be doing what I am trying to do. To say it simply, I want to provide more chances for artwork in Atlanta. Those chances include showing artwork, sharing artwork with your community, and eliminating as many barriers as possible. The barriers of cost, access, and labor shouldn’t hold us back the way they usually do.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I always drew and went to school to learn how to paint. While learning how to paint, the world offered me the world of Digital Media which was reshaping the way we make and share images. Using what I had learned, I designed posters, calendars, and various advertising images for some major sports brands. As that market changed to also include video and motion graphics I moved to Atlanta to write about the art scene and learn what was going on here. Things changed once again, and when the various publications I wrote for were similarly evolving, I began using my knowledge as an art instructor naturally became an art advocate, as well. All the while, I kept painting almost everyday but now selling a painting, article, or winning a grant all feel equally valid.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If my best friend were willing to indulge my tastes, I would start with getting off at The Arts Center Station. We can scratch a few bucket list items off at once: The High Museum which is Atlanta’s best consistent bet among tourist traps. Just across the street is the MODA, Museum of Design Atlanta, it is a great compliment to the High with less square footage but a great curatorial board. We could possibly walk to see SCAD or the center for Puppetry Arts, but I’d rather take my guest to the Beltline next. The Beltline can mean all around the center of Atlanta, but for me the area near Auburn street is the coolest to walk. I’d let them pick anyway along the area that looks good for lunch. However, I’d try to schedule it so we end up at a DRINK AND DOODLE event at ABV Gallery. We have to take another stop in the Krog Street tunnel, which is very cliché but it’s cliché for a reason. Check out the graffiti, then check out the amazing murals. Finally, we would end up at the Ponce City Market, where I steal a couple of plays I learned from others: I have heard that actors working in Atlanta will go on a pub crawl sampling various dishes from different restaurants before we have a drink in the formerly members only speakeasy style bar near the roof. There are lots of great places in the West Side Art District, there is the Marcia Wood Gallery, and The Atlanta Contemporary, but we can’t do it all in one day. Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I owe a lot to Stephen Churn, a friend who I met through Maker Faire Atlanta. His non-profit I AM COLLEGE provided a key inspiration for me to start YES, MAAM. He let me shadow in as he brought his program to schools in the Fourth Ward and gave me insight to his own process. Thanks to him, I realized it really was to begin things and accomplish things with nothing else besides your passion and the faith of your peers rooting for you.

Website: http://www.seanmillsartist.com/

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Twitter: https://twitter.com/SeanMillsMedia

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