Urban Alchemy
A new series of paintings that I am currently working on.
Oil, acrylic, watercolour, gold pigment, charcoal, graphite, animal bones, tools, automobile parts, nails, screws, modelling paste, gel mediums, angle iron on 3/4 inch sanded plywood.
These art works range from 40 to 150 lbs in weight. I use large amounts of oil paint in the final stages. They are very thick and should be seen in the flesh, and will take several years to dry.
I have completed over 200 drawing studies, completed 4 paintings, and still have 6 works that I am exploring. Reluctantly I refer to them as paintings, but they are more like 3-dimensional, sculptural collage paintings.
In this new series, titled “Urban Alchemy”, the human form is compositionally interconnected with socioeconomic structures and architectural landscapes, serving as a metaphor for the profound impact of society on the individual soul. Each work delves into the industrialization of humanity, depicting the internal struggle within social and economic frameworks, where the modern world challenges our spiritual essence and disrupts our innate connection to the self. Themes of social impact, injustice, and the erosion of fundamental rights resonate throughout, igniting discourse on issues like Truth to Power and governmental overreach, while the tension between traditional and modern aesthetics evokes a powerful dialogue on autonomy and societal transformation.
Drawing inspiration from modern aesthetics, Afro-Cuban abstract expressionism, and the rebellious spirit of graffiti culture, these artworks blend elements of postmodern deconstruction with traditional craftsmanship, reimagining mechanical components, animal bones, and urban landscapes in an abstract, expressionist manner. Influenced by the cubist period of Pablo Picasso and the anti-conformist ethos of graffiti, this series fuses artistic innovation and social commentary. Through deliberate use of high-quality materials in a raw, primitive style, the paintings convey themes of rebirth and liberation, where angst mixes with emotion and order grapples with chaos, reflecting the complexities of the human experience in the modern age.
Live Love Art
Patrick John Mills
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Here are a few of my favorite videos:
How to Oil Paint Abstract Paintings: composition, painting tips, painting techniques, color theory.
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How to Paint a Landscape Painting - Artist: Patrick John Mills: Painting Techniques, Color Theory
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Color Theory - Oil Painting techniques - Abstract Artist Patrick John Mills
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Live Love Art
Patrick John Mills