Joy Mills

Artist Statement

The aspect of Sumi-e Brush Painting that most calls to me is its meditative quality — the link between the breath and the brush.  Sumi-e holds the premise that mistakes are not possible and therefore no corrections are made. Whatever is drawn is a perfect record of the moment. But, if we choose, we simply begin again.  Overall, the aim of Sumi-e is to capture the spirit of a subject using the fewest brushstrokes possible. I think of Haiku poetry as a literary equivalent to SUMI-E painting.

Over the decades, Joy has taught and used a wide range of media. Her Master of Fine Arts degree was awarded for her life-size figurative paintings done with acrylic paint.  She has taught both watercolor and graphic design for Pima Community College and began teaching Sumi-e for community classes in 1996 for the Desert Museum and Chinese Cultural Center. Since then, Sumi-E has remained her primary focus.  Her work has been recognized nationally with special awards from the Cooperstown Art Association, the Sumi-e Society of America, and a purchase award from the Rocky Mountain National Watermedia Exhibition.  Joy has taught periodically at the Drawing Studio since 2009.