Hi! I’m Brian Mills, known as Freeside Mills, and I am a self-taught, mixed-media artist based in Los Angeles. Thank you for taking a look at my work! The aliases “Freeside” or “Free” originally came from giving myself grace (a lot) when trying, and failing, in learning new ways to create, and hoping that creating the way that I do - “Free” of any self-inflicted constraints - can encourage others to at least try. This is all part of the process of enjoying, and leaning into whatever creativity you have.

This is reflected in my work, where I use a diverse range of artistic techniques, themes, colors, and mediums that I’ve learned to use or work with over time. The idea is that there is no medium or style that can’t be learned with enough attempts, allowing yourself be terrible at first, and a lot of patience.

Regardless, the experience gained while trying is invaluable.

My current work is embodied through installments of intentional “Color Shows”

These Color Shows use a single color or color palette, and I use those colors to create 9 to 12 unique, mixed-media pieces. When color is a constant, the challenge is how do you curate a unique series as a whole, that is cohesive, but also make each piece unique on its own?

As a simple background - I’m a 90s baby, born and raised in the South; An athlete, a nerd, who loves sports, pop culture, music, cartoons, and art.

The artwork I currently make pulls from these influences and styles, and I hope you’ll join me in seeing how my artistic style and expression continues to grow and develop.