Steve that art was to be his future.
Steve seeks to recreate reality in his art. The challenge to depict what exists fascinates Steve, who does not care for abstraction. He believes that viewers cannot judge what they cannot recognize. Only when viewers know what they see can a painting influence their per-ceptions of the real. If, in portraying reality he can
spark a reaction in others, Steve has done what he set out to do.
I am trying to set a mood, to give the viewer a sense of space and time," Mills says, "rather than make a strong statement. I am still trying to discover myself, and must know myself better before expressing deep |
philosophical ideas. I'm 27 now and hope by the time I'm 50 to know myself well enough to paint what could one day be thought a masterpiece. All my paintings are exercises to that end." Although drawing on his imagination for his pictures, Steve also relies on photography to aid his memory, mentally editing his slides, moving things around, changing colors, and adding and deleting details.
Realist painting calls for very intense work and great care for detail. Steve does most of his work in the studio, but he points out that an artist who sticks to his studio can become too sys-tematic. Steve feels the need, at times, to emerge into the fresh air, to mingle with others. |
