We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Pj Mills. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Pj below.

Hi Pj, thanks for joining us today. Are you happier as a creative? Do you sometimes think about what it would be like to just have a regular job? Can you talk to us about how you think through these emotions?

I couldn’t be happier living and working as an artist in Miami, as opposed to New York where I started making art. But I also I have a regular job or rather business that I started years ago when I first moved here. However, I do not want to discuss that business here. Unfortunately today, I can’t just give this business up because my clients now depend on me. (It is also very lucrative.) So I now live in these two worlds where neither side ever meet or even know about each other. “Art’nicks” don’t really respect you if you are a working stiff because it sort of shows a lack of commitment to art. On the other hand my clients are a very high security and private people that do not want to know anything about artists because “artists live artistic lifestyles and are not to be trusted.” So I just go back and forth within these worlds keep my lives to myself. Throughout the day I slip into the two sides of myself that are rather comfortable; but sometimes I think…. “How crazy is this?”. “Yes, it is, but I love it.” One time a client of mine told me she and her husband were out on the net and came across my artistic website. They liked my work but were upset they weren’t told of this part of my life. Artists on the other hand would probably not ask about how I met my financial needs out of insecurity and politeness. Oh well.., as Muddy Waters once said: “I live the life I love and love the life I live.” LOL

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers

Art or rather Painting I should say, came to me very very early in life. However later, when I decided to go to school I studied everything but art. This went on for a long time until I couldn’t take it any more. (a third year in college. Opps!) I switched majors and studied painting. Then I went to graduate school at Cornell where I could concentrate fully on painting. When I got out of graduate school I met a dealer that really liked my work but I still needed a job. My only option was get famous real quick before rent was due or teach at a university. Teaching wasn’t a good idea at all. So I started a business that allowed me ample time to work as an artist. Today, I work with a couple of galleries and try to get included in as many museum exhibitions as possible. Museums take more risks than galleries because sales do not pay their rent, so to speak. Galleries take chances too but that is another story. So I just work as hard as I can painting every day and doing everything to get my work out there. Although, art making may be just another business like every other manufacturing business in the world….. your are still the chief cook, waiter, and dishwasher. But knowing everyone in the world also helps too. LOL

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

The best part of being an artist is also the worst part. I’m not talking about being creative, making things pretty, or even making a living at it. I’m talking about saying something about yourself or world that is profound and sheds light on something greater that the statement itself. It’s also about being true to yourself and your statement no matter the cost. Unfortunately, I don’t think this is a one shot deal. (Perhaps for some artists.) For most artists this becomes a life long journey and the road is seldom scenic. It’s like looking for a needle in the haystack except you are not always sure what the needle looks like. You just have to find it.

: Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

I don’t know if there is a mission or goal. Making paintings a visual journey that tells a story. In my case the story is about myself but in a language that I don’t know if anyone speaks. Few people care to learn the language because the language of art is so very simple yet it seams like Chinese. In the end, if I lined up all the work I’ve ever done; the good, the bad, the ugly…. That would be my life. Hopefully, the jury is still out on this.

Contact Info:

• Website: pjmills.info
• Instagram: pjmills101

Image Credits
/Users/pjmills/Desktop/Screen shot 2017-02-25 at 10.11.49 AM.png PM.png/Users/pjmills/Desktop/29060361_1797951623840551_7916966494299223402_o.jpg