Joe Mills

I am a full-time elementary art teacher and part-time freelance illustrator. I specialize in Chicago themed illustrations. What started out as a way to pay homage to my home after a move to Australia has turned into a mild obsession to find as many unique and creative ways to illustrate the City of Chicago. My other specialties include typography and calligrams. A calligram is a word or piece of text in which the design and layout of the letters create a visual image related to the meaning of the words themselves. For an example, see this example from my portfolio. While I do have specific strengths, I am open to any number of illustration and design opportunities. I have over 15 years of experience using Adobe Illustrator. Please be sure to look at my full portfolio.

Clients
Bank of America Chicago Marathon
Chicago History Museum
Chicago White Sox
Choose Chicago
Chicago Reader
Illinois Marathon
DePaul University
Lollapalooza - C3 Presents
826Chi
Vocalo Radio 91.1
ICM Properties
North Shore Convention & Visitors Bureau
WBEZ 91.5
Do312

Commissioned Work
If you are interested in illustration or design work, please contact me for a quote. Each illustration is priced depending on the size and scope of each project. You can email me directly at joemills1(at)gmail.com.

Where to Buy
My work can be purchased at my online store or at the following locations:

Andersonville Galleria – 5247 N. Clark St..
Raw Edge - 4757 N. Lincoln Ave. - 1943 W. Division St. - 520 N. Michigan Ave. (North Bridge)
Judy Maxwell Home - 1349 N. Wells St.
Art Institute of Chicago
ChiTown Magpie - 6443 N Sheridan Rd
Standard Goods - 235 Washington St. (Naperville)

Prints in custom sizes and colors can be ordered through Colbert Custom Framing & Printing. They are located at 1283 South Naper Blvd. in Naperville.

Shows
”Lettering from Chicago” - Artist Loft at Andersonville Galleria - July 3 to 25, 2020 (Solo Show)
”Calligrams” - St. Xavier University - August 26 to September 17, 2019 (Solo Show)
”Pop Portraits in Pandemic: [p]3” - August 14 to September 17, 2020 (Group Show)
”The Art of Slice” - Galerie F - September 27 to 29, 2019 (Group Show)
”Record Store Day” - Galerie F - April 12 to 28, 2019 (Group Show)

Press
Midwest Living December 2017
Bank of America October 2017
Chicagoist Jul 18, 2017
Chicagoist June 13, 2017
The Reader November 23, 2016
DNAinfo January 26, 2016
DNAinfo November 6, 2015
DNAinfo October 29, 2014
DNAinfo September 12, 2014
DNAinfo February 28, 2014
DNAinfo December 13, 2013
Wicker Park Bucktown Insider’s Guide November 5, 2013