Secret to Stormie Mills success revealed

Stormie Mills is one of those intriguing people who demands attention. Thanks to FormWA and Public Perth a few of us were lucky enough to spend time watching him work on a new piece. It was while watching him that I pondered what his secret weapon might be.

Stormie Millls © The Ponder Room

Like all urban or street artists Mills was a master of his essential equipment, in this case ladders, brushes and paint. His paint palate is dominated by black (dirt), white (attempts to remove the dirt), grey (the city skyline) and silver (dreams).

Stormie Millls © The Ponder Room

Mills also appeared to have …

Strong constitution

Anyone who could stand working in front of a blindingly white wall on a 35 degree day has got to have a certain level of fitness, not to mention great retinas. If ever there was a need for industrial strength sunglasses this was it. Factor 210 sunscreen would have been helpful too.

Stormie Millls © The Ponder Room

Passion

Mills, like so many successful artists , started drawing from a very young age, almost unable to recall a time when they didn’t draw or doodle. It’s an inner passion that has to be released as shown in these comments.

‘It wasn’t a career choice; it was part of me, my voice, what I do and something I couldn’t give up even if I tried. This obsession led to refining what I do’ Mills told Chris Osburn in 2008.

‘I still have doubts about myself and what I do and how I do it etc; it’s perhaps what drives me more than anything.’

Stormie Millls © The Ponder Room

‘It’s got to be an obsession, a driving passion.’

‘A friend Reg Bolton told me, when I was having a major crisis of direction and confidence, “love what you do, do what you love, the money will follow”, for me that’s been good advice.’

Focus
As the television cameras arrived Mills kept painting, showing an ability to tune out and focus only on the work.

Stormie Millls © The Ponder Room

An individual style

All of the artists in Public Perth displayed their own unique style, that’s what made the event so fascinating. Mills characters are unmistakable with their air of loss, isolation and insecurity about the battles ahead.

However I may have uncovered a secret weapon

Those of you who follow Mills will know of his companion Beanz. I’m sure he plays a large part in the success as does his family’s support. However on this occasion I became aware of another presence … a mysterious collaborator who appeared to climb the ladder and whisper in Mills ear during a momentary hesitation.

cont …

Stormie Millls © The Ponder Room

Here’s hoping, all of us have a quiet creative genius lurking next to us waiting to step up the ladder with good advice when moments of uncertainty arise.