Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Rob Mcmillan. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Alright, Rob thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?

One of the most meaningful projects I’ve worked on involved a close family friend, Elizabeth Taylor, no, not the famous actress, but a strong, elderly Scottish woman who was visiting Canada for what would be her final time. Her health had been declining, and she had recently lost her husband. She had come to see friends and family one last time, though none of us knew just how serious her condition was it turned out to be terminal.

While out with family, she suffered a fall and was taken to the hospital. When I heard about the accident, I immediately went to visit her in the palliative care unit, preparing myself for the worst. But to my surprise, I found her sitting up in bed, asking me, “I hear you can draw! Would you do a picture for me?” She told me she loved owls.

I agreed, but on one condition: that she would get well enough to return to Scotland. To my astonishment, she checked herself out of the hospital and boarded a British Airways flight back home.

Knowing that time was short, I got to work immediately. I spent 48 hours straight creating a detailed drawing of a snowy owl, its wings spread as it landed on a stump in the forest, with snow gently falling in the background.

I made sure to send the artwork to Scotland, both by mail and email, so she could see it before she passed. She did get to see it, and the drawing now hangs with her family as a cherished reminder of her.

The experience of knowing that I was able to bring her such happiness in her final days is a feeling I can’t quite describe!

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.

Hi, I’m Rob McMillan. I studied at Sheridan College and the Ontario College of Art (OCA), and art has always been a major part of my life. I’ve always been drawn to how art can evoke powerful emotions, and I especially enjoy creating animal and abstract pieces. With over 30 years of experience in painting and drawing.

I take pride in my attention to detail and in the process of bringing a design to life. The best part of my work is seeing the reactions it gets. My goal is simple: if I’m not completely satisfied with the result, I know you won’t be either. I’m dedicated to getting it right, no matter how many revisions it takes.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

One of the most fulfilling aspects of creating art is witnessing the reaction it brings out in my clients. There’s something truly powerful about seeing the emotions unfold as they experience the piece. I’ll never forget the time I created a portrait for a colleague as a gift for his wife, honoring her late mother. The reveal was filmed, and when my colleague shared the video with me, the response was beyond anything I could have imagined. As she opened the box, her surprise was overwhelming, and the tears started flowing, as she took in the portrait. It was an incredibly moving moment, and I felt so grateful to have created something that brought her and their family such joy.

The portrait now hangs in their dining room, allowing his wife and daughter to remember their mother every time they see it. Being able to share a piece of myself through my art and knowing it can have such a massive impact on someone’s life is an experience I’ll always hold close. It’s also rewarding to know that my work has the ability to shift people’s perspectives, to change how they see a moment, a memory, or even what art itself stands for. Those experiences are truly one of a kind.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

At first thought, one story does stand out. In my years of experience a lesson in both resilience and knowing my limits. I was once asked to create a portrait of a client’s late pet, but there was one major challenge, there were no reference photos to work from. As an artist, I always strive for perfection, and without seeing the pet, especially its eyes, I felt it would be nearly impossible to capture its likeness accurately. It was a tough moment because saying no to a client is always difficult, but I knew I had to stay true to my strengths.

Despite the challenge, I decided to give it my best shot and created a portrait based on the client’s description. Even though I felt uncertain about the outcome. To my surprise, when she saw the piece, she was absolutely thrilled and overjoyed, in fact. That experience taught me a valuable lesson in adaptability and understanding. It reminded me that art is subjective and that sometimes, the emotional connection a person has to a piece outweighs its technical precision. This experience really hit home the importance of staying true to my craft.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.mcmillansart.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mcmillansart/

Image Credits

Kevin and Sheryl photography – via instagram