Gallery • 8 Photos

Sara Patterson

For Tyrone senior JoDee Mills, her art represents freedom and a way to express herself visually to the world.

“[My art] is something that I can really make my own. Usually, when I am in the process of a piece I find a meaning to it halfway through and sometimes I change my sketch and make it something totally different,” said Mills.

Mills has been passionate about creating art, particularly drawing, and painting, from a very young age.

“It is something that I’ve always done and it now just comes naturally to me every day,” said Mills.

Mills has taken art classes from Tyrone High School art teacher Eric Feather all four years of high school.

Feather said he has seen Mills’ art develop over the years and spoke proudly of her accomplishments.

“JoDee has a rare initiative for new ideas and imagery. She works very well independently. She’s a very motivated individual and never stops,” said Feather.

Of all the pieces she’s created, Mills doesn’t have a favorite, but she is proud of one recent oil painting that she did in October of last year.

“All of the pieces I’ve completed have different meanings which stops me from choosing my favorite,” said Mills.

Mills calls the piece “Sour Site.”  She is excited to put enter it into the 2023 art show.

Another piece that Mills created a couple of years ago is familiar to any student with classes in the vocational wing.  Mills was the lead on the mural outside of the agriculture classroom that depicts a stylized corn field with deer and raccoons.

This year Mills has been excited to be able to explore oil painting in more depth.

“I’ve only used acrylic paints before and the thought of oil paints kinda scared me. I was nervous to start a project using them because I didn’t want to ruin something that I wanted to succeed on. Once I used them and learned how different they were, I was shocked at how much I liked them. It is an art piece I am most proud of so far this year, “ said Mills

Mills says that her favorite style is realism. She appreciates details and likes to spend time observing and recreating the fine details of a subject.

“I fell in love with the details and concepts of the pieces in this style,” said Mills.

Mills doesn’t plan to pursue art as a vocation, but she said she plans to continue it as a hobby.  After high school Mills plans to go to college and major in accounting.