Internationally collected artists John and Elli Milan have a unique creative process. They create their paintings together.
John and Elli met in Hawaii when they were young. They both wanted to be artists, so attended Savannah College of Art and Design, then University of Georgia, where each received a Bachelor of Fine Arts in painting. Soon they were working independently, developing their personal styles, and showing their work in local galleries, but they dreamed of working together.
Today, that dream has come true. Collaborating, they create art neither could create alone. John and Elli explain, “The Spirit of God inspires our work and allows us to create together and maintain a unified vision.” The end result is aggressive and spontaneous layers of paint which create a bright and playful scenario that is interwoven with hints of narrative.
They travel often to Greece, which inspires their artwork and life. Contemporary buildings built around old ruins, and the visible layers of history, have become a metaphor for how the Milan’s see spiritual transformation within themselves and the people around them:
Like these ancient cities, our lives are complex; as we grow and progress the new slowly replaces the old, yet we are often nostalgic for our old self, rather than looking forward with great expectation to our destiny.
The Milans and their four children live in Queen Creek, Arizona, where they have a home studio that is open year round. They are exhibited in galleries and private collections in Canada, Europe, the United States, Philippines, and Dubai.
Village Frame & Gallery is proud to offer works by John and Elli Milan in our gallery. To see these works in person, visit the Gallery Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m., or by appointment.
