Mobile Photography & Art – ‘Intimate Interview’ with Deborah McMillion from Phoenix, Arizona, United States

I wanted to be, I thought, a fashion Designer. I designed, for hours on end, clothes for paper dolls … and the furniture, and the room, and the landscape, and … maybe I should have been a set designer?

When I was 6, the local TV show for children (Virginia’s WAVY) had a paint an Easter egg contest. It was blues and greens in wave shapes. I won 1st Prize/Grand prize: a blue ribbon with a wipe-off colouring book of … Trucks! My phone call response was: “thank you very much, but do I have to color this again?”

‘Mermaid Enlightenment’

Besides the usuals (babysitting), my first real “job” was in a fabric store. The manager did not want me. She put me on commission then took every sale away. The owner did not want to lose her manager, so I quit. I got a job in ASU’s business building on campus. I ran the Address-o-graph machine and mailed their magazine. I also illustrated the magazine with produce, housewives, cattle, cotton, and men with briefcases for three and a half years. So, technically, a graphics art gig.

I went to what we call Public (government sponsored) School. 

Both. In university, I had a teaching major in Fine Art, with a minor in Medieval and 19th century literature. After graduating, I taught school formally about 3 months.

‘Truth’

When I lived in Coolidge, the National endowment still had rural artist residency programs. Andrew Rush is a master printmaker in intaglio. Andy was generous with his vast knowledge of printmaking. He was also the rare artist that would freely share his own techniques with his students, knowing that any technique he came up with would look different if I used it—and I might take it one step further. I worked with Andy for four years.

Another significant collaboration was a fellow artist. We set ourselves the goal of each creating a portfolio of twenty good pieces to show to galleries—because that was the wisdom of the time. She finished three urns, took them to an interior design gallery in Tucson, and got in! “Three urns?” I asked, “Just three?” “What are you going to do if they want more?” “Make them!” she replied, confidently. “Instead of being mad, take your small framed etchings, make an appointment, and I’ll go with you.” She literally held my 26 year old hand in her 22 year old one walked me into the gallery. They took and sold all four. Thank you, Leigh. I had three solo shows that year, in the best little galleries, all because of you.

Joe: “I still have a problem. I have a brain cloud.“

  — from “Joe and the Volcano”

This is what I tell people, except the few I must. I swim 15 laps a day and do 30 to 45 minutes stationary bicycle just to stay where I am. My “brain cloud” is no joke—it’s a real disease—but I don’t want that label to define me. Even when it’s meant with all sincerity and kindness, I can hear the pity in every “so, how are you doing?” I just want to create art: “brain cloud” 

‘Odyllic Force (Brain Cloud)’

Neither. Both. You have to be able to do the work; but you have to be hungry enough to pursue it, and not give up.

Off and on. I would do my due diligence, researching each the candidate on the ballet right down to the judges, propositions, etc. But I didn’t consider myself “politically active.” That all changed in 2015. Things could go very badly if one simply gives up.

‘Justice’

The tools that I use are beautiful. I take care of them and I cherish them. If I will no longer use them, I would prefer someone who will feel the same take them, buy them etc. I have what I want.

Getting the latest iPad and pencil. Not the biggest.

‘Part of the Scenery’

Home, around the table, having good food and good conversations with friends.

To pour my art into as many containers as possible. To bring back “lost relatives.” I find everything I need from these blurred, tiny, photos in antique store bins.  “This is who I was” becomes “who am I this time”.

‘The Chester Effect’

Time, tick tock, tick tock.

‘The Librarian’

The best friends that I’ve had for such a very long a time, and the newer ones I hope to keep.

People who never forgive—who hold grudges—and turn away love so they can nurse that grudge. 

“What’s with the bu….derrière?”

‘Canals Of Mars’

All my childhood books and drawings that I carefully stacked for our move out West, that my mother left behind “for lack of room.” 

Climate change. How many 100 year floods does it take for people to stop and say, “what the hell?” Oh, and stop getting your news from one source.

Sometimes.

‘Little Dead Girl Goes Walking’

I will say I tried living it like 10.

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‘The Dreamsicle Transformation’

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