John Thomas Mills

John was born and educated in England, worked on sugar cane diseases in Trinidad for 4 years, then emigrated to Winnipeg in 1967. A retired agricultural research scientist, he has always been passionate about Agriculture, Animals and Art.

"Agriculture and farm animals are particular interests of mine. Growing up in North Wales, I took for granted the many breeds of farm animals but now most of them are rare and threatened for survival. Manitoba is an agricultural province and for the past 4 years I have been visiting farms, country fairs and other events to become familiar with the scene. My interest in rare breeds of farm animals was rekindled  by seeing them exhibited at fairs and through the activities of Rare Breeds Canada. I decided to help by producing paintings and art cards. I began by painting horses because of their diversity, beauty, dignity and strength then included rare and often spectacular breeds of other livestock. The art cards I send at Christmas time depict rare breeds and recipients often remark on them thus giving me an opportunity to tell their story for survival" Recently John has extended his interest to zoo animals many of which are rare and threatened in the wild.

             Shetland Ewe and Ram                  

John is a Member and former Secretary of the Manitoba Society of Artists (MSA), a Member of the Winnipeg Sketch Club and of Rare Breeds Canada. In 2007, he was awarded the Clifford C. Packer Prize at the MSA Open Juried Show. In 2008, he had his first solo show at the Fleet Galleries, Winnipeg.  In June 2009, he was awarded the Juror's Prize at the MSA Open Juried Show in Winnipeg and in October participated in an oil painting workshop given by Shiela Barnes at the American Academy of Equine Art in Lexington, Kentucky. In 2010, he had a joint show with animal sculptor Mary Lowe at the Fleet Galleries,was awarded second prize in the professional category at the Red River Art Exhibition, Winnipeg, and appointed the first Artist-in-Residence by Rare Breeds Canada.