Andrew Mills is a watercolour artist whose life and work are shaped by a passion for the outdoors. Born and raised in South Africa, he spent his early years surrounded by rich, varied landscapes and colours. He pursued art through high school and later studied graphic design, developing a keen sense of composition and visual communication that informs his watercolour practice.

Travel through the United States and the United Kingdom broadened his love for adventure. Andrew and his wife settled in Scotland, where he spent four years working as an outdoor instructor. In 2009 Andrew and his wife immigrated to Canada with their two children, bringing a wealth of guiding experience and a deep connection to natural environments. On Vancouver Island he worked as an outdoor guide at Horne Lake — instructing rock climbing, canoeing and cave exploration — and in 2014 he became a professional firefighter for the City of Nanaimo.

Andrew’s painting are inseparable from his active outdoor life. He regularly travels to climb, canoe, hike and mountain-bike, using those adventures as direct inspiration for his work. He paints the coastlines, forests and human moments encountered in the wild: sunlight on rock, the worn curve of a trail, figures silhouetted against a vast sky. His watercolours emphasize atmosphere, light and the tactile qualities of places visited.

Based on Vancouver Island, Andrew offers original watercolours and limited-edition prints His work is for anyone who seeks a faithful, thoughtful depiction of the natural world and the stories held within it.