From living on the streets to acclaimed artist

AS a youth, he failed art in high school. Now, at 47, graffiti and street artist Stormie Mills reflects on how he turned his greatest passion into a lifelong career.

Artist Stormie Mills opens up about how he changed his passion for graffiti into a lifelong career.

AS a youth, he failed art in high school and lived on the fringes of society. Now, at 47, graffiti and street artist Stormie Mills reflects on how he turned his greatest passion into a lifelong career.

Growing up in Perth in the ’70s, I was a solitary child. My parents emigrated from Wales when I was three and we moved around a lot. I went to nine different schools, so my brothers and I were always “the new kids”.

I spent a lot of my time drawing; I was more interested in making art than going to school. Despite my passion, I failed art in high school. Back then, being an artist wasn’t a career option. Now, if someone asked you what you wanted to be, I think you could say an artist. When I was growing up, it wasn’t a real job. And I think, in a lot of respects, it isn’t: it is a life and a passion.

It’s taken a lot of work to get to where I am today. When I came back to Australia after living in Europe in my early 20s, I lived in an [abandoned] warehouse in East Perth. I had this romanticised notion of living on the street. Of course, the reality was less pleasant. I used to go to the train station every morning and pay a dollar to have a shower before going to work running community art programs. Nobody knew the circumstances I was living under. I thought that way of living seemed a lot freer.

‘In Your Own Space’ by Stormie Mills for his new To the Moon and Back exhibition.

The hardest part of being an artist is the self-doubt. A lot of people let their own demons erode their confidence, and get discouraged or give up. It takes a certain kind of stubbornness or focus to become successful.

I still don’t consider myself a success; I always feel like I am trying to make it. I’ve had successful exhibits and what I believe are significant works, but I am still working towards something. Being able to help other people achieve their goals has become important to me. I was a kid who fell through the cracks of the system. I couldn’t have done what I have without the people who supported me.

Looking back, I never could have imagined my life today. My work has historically been about isolation and loneliness – those emotions I felt as a child. My latest collection, To The Moon And Back, was inspired by space and continues that theme of isolation.

I have had conversations with people about what they want to do when they retire. I’ve never even contemplated that as a concept. Why would I retire from what I absolutely love doing? If I keel over with paint on my hands, I’ll be happy.

STORMIE’S TIPS FOR ASPIRING ARTISTS

1. Love and cherish the people who support you. Without them, everything is so much more difficult.

2. Be polite. No one wants to help someone who’s rude. It’s easier not to be.

3. Don’t be afraid to fail. It can be better than succeeding because you learn from it.

Originally published as From living on the streets to acclaimed artist