Your occupation, job title, artistic discipline (or very brief description of what you do):

I’m a full-time mural artist. I specialise in hand-painted, large-scale murals which range from residential interior and exterior spaces, offices, schools, and public walls!

What cities/towns have you lived in (or spent more than a few months in) beginning with the place of your birth?

I was born in Tauranga and lived in two homes, one at Pukehina beach with my mum, and the other with my dad on a kiwifruit and orange orchard in Te Puke. After school I travelled to Europe to study abroad in England, and continued travelling for 6 months there. I also lived in Wellington studying a Bachelor of Arts for over 3 years! I’m back living in Te Puke with my family now.

What are the earliest stories you remember hearing? The ones that told you about the world? 

My parents, including my two step parents, have always loved travelling and art, they would tell stories, teach me to paint, draw, play piano, and took me and my siblings to places like Thailand, and sailing to Tonga. From a really young age art and travel are values I hold close. In my early 20s I went out on my own, travelling South East Asia, Nepal, Norway, Florida, and Europe. I explored places, met so many inspirational people, and saw incredible art in all shapes and forms.

What music was present and still memorable from your youth/adolescence? 

Pink Floyd, Morcheeba, America, Steely Dan, Dido. I still listen to them all.

What’s an average day in your life at present?  

Part of why I love what I do so much is that every day is different! When it’s a painting day, I start the morning with coffee and stretching. I get my three boys ready for school and kindy, drop them all off then drive to the mural location. I love that every mural project means I get to travel somewhere new, meet new people, problem solve different aspects of the job, and bring vibrant works of art to life in so many different places and spaces. At the end of the day I cook a meal for my family and we all sit around the table together sharing our highs and lows of the day.

For you as a creative person, who are three influential artists or thinkers?

My Fine Arts tutor at Toi Ohomai – Cherie Sayer. Her support and belief in me – I don’t believe I would be where I am today without her. Various mural artists I follow and am inspired by such as Chera Creative, Alli K Design, and Hanna Daly. All female muralists who are doing amazing things with their art businesses!

If you went away from the Bay of Plenty for a long time and then came back, what are the first three things you would do or visit?  

I would visit my family first, most of them are in the BOP! Then I would go to Papamoa Beach and walk up the Papamoa Hills. Next I would take my kids to the city to see new exhibitions at the Tauranga Art Gallery, check out new mural work on the streets (there is SO MUCH going up around the city right now, it’s amazing) and take the kids to the waterfront and playground.

Looking back at your teen-age self: what one sentence describes that person?

Social, empathetic, sensitive, a sounding board, and always in the art or drama room at school.

What are you planning for 2026 that nobody knows about yet?

An overseas holiday with my family, and my biggest mural yet – to be announced soon!

In one sentence, can you define creativity?

I think creativity is in everything we do. It doesn’t have to be big and obvious, it’s in the little things too – like cooking a meal and presenting it in a certain way on the plate, sitting down and drawing with your child, choosing what clothes to wear, gardening, singing, dancing. It’s all creative expression.

What word of advice would you offer an aspiring creative person? 

It’s not new advice, but I think it’s important – never give up! All artists have highs and lows. I’ve had my share of “unfortunately” emails, mistakes, and quiet months. Keep going and keep creating because you never know what’s around the corner.

Anything else you’d like to tell us about yourself/your organisation?

I hope we can connect! Please reach out with any questions, ideas, to see new work, or just to say hi – murals_bymillie on Instagram.