A Creative Genius: Thais Mills

                                                                      By Jason Calbos

        Thais Mills is a American painter with an international following. From the beginning it seems that she was destined to pick up a pen, paintbrush and a unique way of looking at things. Whether Thais is going to a poetry reading or having coffee with the some of the biggest names in the entertainment industry she's always on the move. Thais began to rebuild her life after Hurricane Katrina with the opening of the smash hit website LipServiceInk.com - This was coupled with the highly anticipated arrival of LipServiceInk.com LIVE (April - June), an open-mic / book drive series where donated bookmarks or books was your admission. Her first series took flight in 2010, inside the lavish cozy supper club of Hip Hop Icon, Mia X in her hometown of New Orleans. It was one of her greatest joys to go back to her roots. Thais has done it all with her poetry, her oratory skills and now her painting. Although her painting has always been there it is now being pushed to the forefront. Thais` artistic ability is quite evident. I had the honor and privilege of sitting down with the creative genius recently.

JC: Thais, first off thank you so much for taking time out of your busy schedule to sit down and letting me delve into the mind of a creative genius like yourself.

Thais: It's an honor to speak with you Jason, I'm such a fan of your INK. I've followed your writings on your website every week so I know this is gonna be fun. Let's goooooooooooooooo !

JC: I want to congratulate you on all your successes. It appears everything you touch blossoms. Please do tell what have you been working on as of late?


Thais: Thanks so much for that Jason, I try really hard.. (( I mean realllly hard )) Currently I'm excited about my 2011 Spring Collection of Original Canvas on www.EnticingObjects.com and having my poetry featured on 3 mainstream radio stations in Baton Rouge, New Orleans and now in Chicago. I've never been to Chi`town so knowing my poems are on their airwaves just makes me blush.

JC: In reading about you it seems your life has been "star crossed" from the beginning. You have even given a nod to that. What do you make of your journey in life so far ?

When my parents divorced my mom moved next door to Sally Ann Roberts, one of New Orleans most popular New Anchors. I was only 9 but in awe` of her style and grace. She was so nice to let me tag along. It was an escape from what my parents were going through. I knew then talking to people about their dreams was a dream of mine. The first time I used a computer was at her house. I'll always be grateful to her putting up with the lil chubby kid who'd knock on her door everyday after school. Fast forward to now and its still overwhelming. I know I'm nowhere close to where I desire to be yet but,  I'm at peace with everything thats transpired. My passion and patience run neck and  neck -  I'm just enjoying the ride, stopping to smell the flowers.

  

JC: Did you ever imagine your life  this way when you were younger?


No, never but I always found fun ways to make money. From selling Lemonade door to door, to starting a babysitting club at 12. I actually got my first writing gig at Sally Ann's house by accident. After being told by my college professor I couldn't write for the school paper due to my English grade being less than a C, I was pissed. I came home  to notice Ms Sally was having a dinner party... so I walked in , started  talking to the nicest lady about the same  column idea rejected by my professor. She just happen to be the editor of a local news paper. Still blows my mind...

JC: You are quoted as saying the following about former Essence editor Susan L. Taylor " Her voice is like velvet and being in her presence changed my life. " If you could please tell us how and why it changed your life. 

She was so mellow but potent all at the same time. Essence has always been one of my favorite publications and meeting the lady who'd greet me at the front page all those years just overwhelmed me. She looks directly in your eyes when she talks to you. It's as if you've met her before and it's so sincere. I was only 15 when I met her but it still feels like yesterday.

JC: Another huge event in your life was that fairy tale night when your did your first poem recital in the company of some elite entertainers. Tell me, if those nights had never happened the way it had would we still be sitting here ? 

I started a business in college centered on poetry. I'd written over 3000 poems by then and wanted to make money doing what I loved.  I already had a weekly open mic but wanted to be frisky with it and move it outside the club... To bring the feel of an open mic to private locations. " Da` Poet's Tree " offered Private Poetry Readings, Special Event Hosting and Personalized Poems. I went around to hotels, restaurants and more. It was amazing and opened doors for me to read for some potent people. That small business enabled me to do some pretty big things so " NO " we wouldn't be sitting here.... lol ( good question, I'd never thought about it like that )

JC: Your enthusiasm to share you passion for reading has sent millions of free bookmarks all over the world for children & adults. Tell us why you are so driven to get the message out about reading?

My dad would read to me every night. When he did I'd feel so safe and smart at the same time. I'd close my eyes and morph into what ever location was within the pages. It was like traveling in my mind. Growing up  I'd be the girl to pop open a book at the club if Id get bored. After Katrina I found myself reading more. Books were in every room of my house and it hit me. I want to meet more people like me. If you love to read then you'd love a free bookmark and the rest is " herstory " lol..

JC: In 2005 Hurricane Katrina hit and destroyed your life's work as well as New Orleans. You ended up taking all your efforts and putting them online. I want to know what truly drove you to pick up the pieces when so many of your friends and family simply walked away ?

When the storm came I went from writing for some of the best publications in New Orleans to being in Houston with no house to come back to. I was determined to reach all my readers who'd supported my columns in New Orleans. I wanted to keep in touch with old friends as I met new ones. Living away from home for the first time I figured www.LipServiceInk.com would be a great place for my mom and family to pop in and see what I was doing in Houston. I just wanted to let people know I was still here and Katrina took my home but not my passion to write, interview great minds and paint.

JC: Through that time of rebuilding what  kept you going?

About 2 weeks after the storm I lived in a Holiday Inn here in Houston. I was sitting on a bench outside the hotel in tears. I only had 400 in my account, no clothes, no business cards to reach out, no pictures of my life just nothing... I held my head in my hands and cried for all to see who walked passed. My dad sat across from me and said..

                  " Thais everything you need to succeed is on that bench with you. "

No one was on the bench but me. It hit me then this was the determining factor of my career and if I wanted it NOW was time to get it. In a new city with NO business connects. Just me, my INK and my paintings.I refused to feel sorry for myself and began to live again after sitting on that bench outside the Holiday Inn.(Thanks Dad)

 JC:  Where do you get your inspiration from as an artist?

I taught Creative Writing at a local Summer Camp to 6 year olds all through high school. From time to time I'd help out with Arts and Crafts and fell in love painting with the kids. Doing simple fun pieces was the most refreshing experience ever. At 16 I started taking my entire Summer Camp check spending it at the art store. I'd send some of my pieces home with the kids and it caught on. Moms of the kids would buy em` and it caught on with frends, family.. My poetry name was " Enticing " ( was " nThaisn " - just an N on both ends of my name.. People would call my pieces " Objects.. So at the age of 18 when I stopped working at the Summer Camp I brought the dot com www.EnticingObjects.com so people could still find my art... And here we are 12 years later -

JC: You have lived in New Orleans since you were born. What's the one thing as an artist that you see most people take for granted who visit here ?

The history and raw culture of the city. There's more to us than just  the French Quarter and bars that is open 24 hours. Even though that's cooler than ice cubes we stand for so much more. I always hope tourists  dig deeper  than the locals  so as not to  a get bird's eye view of New Orleans not the locals.

JC:  When I see beautiful canvas pieces like (Jaiden's or Alyse's) on www.enticingobjects.comwonder where you draw inspiration from ?

I name my pieces after people I love and admire. Jaiden is named after the daughter of a a radio great ( Frank Nitti of New Orleans ) - I grew up listening to him and felt connected to his happiness when his daughter was born. Her favorite color is yellow so I painted in her honor. Alyse is named after my sister. She's a firecracker of energy and so strong. I used bold colors to express just how powerful she is in her own fly way.

 

JC: Abstract art is more unrestricted in its designs and development. Do you have a vision in your head of what you want when you start or do you let the painting paint itself ?

No. I don't think about it at all and I don't use paint brushes. I like to get my hands dirty and connect with the piece. Sometimes I paint an entire piece with my eyes closed or in the dark. It's like I'm bonding with the paint as if we'll always have the moment in time when no one was around.

JC: Instead of strictly sticking with canvas you have moved into office art and my personal favorite, Couture Magnets. Why didn't you stick with just canvas ?

Just to be different. I figured.. " Yeah you can hang up a Canvas, but what about your fridge or desk... " I wanted to give artistic expression to all areas of the home / office.

JC: What is the one art medium that you want to master above all else ?

I'm forever a student of art in all mediums so dabbling in each medium is something that tickles my (art) fancy..

JC: What's your perfect day?

Waking up before the alarm, when the house is still  quiet. Dangling my hand feeling my dog's cold nose on me telling me good morning......sliping on some old tights and big comfty shirt, grabbing some bread, walking out to my bike, putting the bread in my bike's basket and riding to feed the ducks. Then come home shower - tweet - write - paint - all while smiling with the ones I love. I live a very simple quiet life and I wouldn't have it any other way.

JC: If they made a movie of your life who would play you ?

Kim Dale, she's a thick savvy up and coming actress and I like her energy.

JC: If you could have any three guests for dinner living or dead who would they beand what would be on the stove ? 

Obama, Oprah and You ( of course I adore your writing style) . I would definetly be cooking gumbo.

JC: What's one thing no one knows about you ?

I have the same purple hair scarf that I've been putting on head and going to bed with for over 10 years. Also, I have this one simple animal print night gown I call 'Cheetah Girl" that was only 6 bucks but its so comfty I can't part with it. I look like a rerun going to bed at least 4 nights out the week.. lol.. Its the only thing I evacuated with for Katrina so when I wear it --- it's as if I'm back in New Orleans and the storm never happen.

JC: Finish this sentence please, " The one artist who always inspires me is...?" 

Janetha Richard. A Visual Artist from New Oreans. Her pieces are amazing and she's such a go getter with a fun way of getting her art to the masses. I love ya Janetha !!

JC: Thais I want to again thank you for your time. Please feel free to check out Thais's artwork at EnticingObjects.com and her Literacy Movement www.LipServiceInk.com  Thais can be found online at Myspace, Facebook and Twitter. Thank you Jason. I'm such a fan and it feels good to sharing my story with you. Let's hug !!!!