Mixed media
I am a Sunshine Coast hinterland artist working mainly in watercolour, gouache, pastel and charcoal. My work ranges from figurative and portrait pieces to surreal scenes and landscapes, often inspired by real people, local characters and places I’ve travelled. I’m particularly drawn to emotion and story – wrinkles, expressions, body language and small symbolic details that hint at a life lived. After receiving strong encouragement for my work, I began exhibiting recently and am now developing larger, more expressive pieces for upcoming exhibitions in the region.
Media
Watercolour, gouache, pastel, charcoal, ink and some acrylic
CONTACT DETAILS
Name: Barbara Mills
Phone: 0413 498 136
Address: 59 Foxtail Circuit, Mountain Creek Qld 4557
Email: gbmills12@bigpond.com
More about me
I came to exhibiting later in life, after a long-standing love of the creative world. I’ve always been drawn to visual expression – from fashion and styling to photography and quietly observing people – but only in recent years have I given myself permission to fully pursue painting.
I work across watercolour, gouache, pastel, charcoal, ink and acrylic often combining media to create mood and atmosphere. My subjects range from portraits and figures to surreal imagery and landscapes. I’m especially drawn to character and emotion: the lines of an elderly face, the stance of a lone figure, or symbolic details that hint at a deeper story. Many pieces are inspired by real people and places – local identities, travellers, street characters and scenes from my journeys in Australia and overseas.
Although I am relatively new to the professional art world, I bring a mature eye, a strong sense of design from my interest in fashion, and a sensitivity to light and composition influenced by photography. Encouraging feedback and awards in local exhibitions have motivated me to develop larger, more expressive works and to keep extending my practice and reach through opportunities like Arts Connect Inc and Open Studios.
