Simon Mills

Simon Mills: Watercolour Painter

"With an aim to produce transparency in watercolour paintings rather than the opacity of oils, my goal is to remain strong with obvious brushstrokes and technique, focusing on painting the Port Adelaide metropolitan area as it undergoes a major change in its development.
Simon Mills watercolour artist

I hope my work represents the port area found in South Australia and life from my childhood and adult scenes with the tugboats and old boat sheds. I particularly enjoy the challenge of applying the technique of using striking contrasts of light against backgrounds of dark and architectural lines that impact the viewers' sense of design in daily living.

From these busy shipping and construction districts, I paint to bring an appreciative response to the peace and rest of the area; the serenity that is created by a vacant workspace or a weekend drive to the port. Here we find the cloud-draped gray or blue skies, brown-rusted iron, slipways and aging boat hulls amidst the new construction derricks. I hope that I can improve my appreciation for the medium of watercolour to become even bolder in my presentation of light and shade that draws people into the work.

I will improve and learn as a skilled artist. I will continue to record snapshots of every day life in a format that attracts more people to watercolour art. I am increasingly gaining more satisfaction as I begin my journey to master the medium as a watercolour painter."

Simon Mills

"Armed with a passion to draw and encouraged by creative parents – his father an art director in film, television and theatre – Simon began at the age of seven to develop a precious understanding of design, materials and colour with Ruth Tuck. At the age of fifteen, he honed his skills with tertiary studies in fine art. This culminated in establishing himself as a professional artist at the age of seventeen working in Rundle Street Studios, as one of three artists on a major joint exhibition held at the Adelaide Festival Centre and the Sydney Opera House.

Working alongside scenic artists in theatre, film and television he continued to refine his skills working in large format using acrylics and oils.
This was combined with an interest in architectural drawing and design. It’s from this background that he began to translate and cultivate his skills in watercolour and studied with watercolour artists Arthur Phillips and John Orlando Burt.

His works are meticulously executed with a strong use of colour and a delicate playfulness with light and shade. He emphasizes sound design elements and drafting that encompasses a direct technique using very little pencil foundation. The result is an infallible sense of place that allows the viewer to absorb themselves completely within the works."

Cathy Drew BA VA, MA.

Exhibitions

Norlunga TAFE 1985
Adelaide Festival Centre 1987
Port Adelaide 1987
Jackalope studio gallery 2009
Sala 2010
Art at the Hart 2010
Royal Adelaide Show 2010
Port Adelaide Rotary 2009

Government Collections
Government House Adelaide
The Adelaide Festival Centre

Academic

2009 Water Colour study – Arthur Phillips
Central School of Art
2009 Water Colour study – John Orlando Birt
One-on-one study
2008 Water Colour study – Arthur Phillips
Central School of Art

2008 Water Colour study - Arthur Phillips
Art Gallery of South Australia
1991 Certificate in Interior Design and Lighting
Marlston College of TAFE
1986 Advanced Certificate in Fine Art
Stanley Street North Adelaide
1985 Prevocational Certificate in Graphic and Commercial Art
Noarlunga College of TAFE

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