Meet Milan Finnie | Artist / Designer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Milan Finnie and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Milan, how has your work-life balance changed over time?

I work as a visual artist and a freelance graphic designer. Although they’re two independent industries, I treat my relationships with people the same. Most of the projects I’ve worked on have been catalysts for new friendships, and those unique connections have assisted me in maintaining the rhythm of my career. Because I put myself into the projects I complete, the relationships I build are genuine.

All this to say that my work life is my personal life, they’re interconnected. Some connections come more naturally than others, and the ones that have come most naturally lead me to similar ones. Yes, sometimes the projects are more about an objective than building a friendship– but I have learned, both in the art and design industries, that the energy of the people collaborating on a project influences the outcome of that project. If there was a sense of flow and connection throughout the project, it’ll show through. If there was lack of communication and respect, that can also show up in the final product.

A lot of this is about showing myself. I don’t believe we have to hide behind professional masks, personally. My work may change and I might shift directions, but I trust that if I show myself, the connections and opportunities that are meant to come will arrive.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?

Primarily I am a pyrographist. That means that I use heat to burn art onto heat tolerant surfaces. It’s also called wood-burning, but I don’t just burn wood– I also burn leather, cork, etc. This medium has lead me to other natural and tactile mediums. Most recently I’ve started to experiment with plaster, and am planning to carve into it the same way one would carve into wood. I also dabble in watercolor, and have used it to create a color pallet for graphic design– so I paint a full page of splatter paint in one color, scan it, and then use pieces of it in Adobe Illustrator.

My art and design work is like my life. It ebbs and flows and twists and turns, and for this reason, I’m always excited for what’s next. I’ve recently allowed myself to be the thread between the many art forms I work with, and I have found that the consistency within all of my work is rhythm.

In my pyrography artwork, there are rhythmic patterns that I use to enclose spaces or emphasize specific elements. In my watercolor pages, there are splatters that are done by rhythmically splashing color onto a surface. In the murals I’ve done, I incorporate symbols and repetitive patterns that are meant to inspire grounding and connection to primitivism. When I (discreetly) dabble in music, the music I mix is rhythmic– inspired by the African diaspora.

I would like for people to know that my work is about rhythm. We are all in a sort of rhythm in our lives– and that doesn’t always mean that it’s predictable or that the rhythm remains the same. It can change pace, and each time it does, other people and circumstances that are in our same rhythm become more apparent and valuable. For each project I do, I like to get to know who I am working with so I can respond to their rhythm and deliver something that feels right.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.

I love this question. This is so hard in San Diego because things are changing so frequently. Honestly, when my friends are in town we typically just hang around and do what feels good– but if I did build an itinerary…

I’m from IB, so the day they arrived, I would take them to the very south end of Seacoast Drive where the beach is empty, bring a blanket and a speaker and watch the sunset. Maybe afterwards we would walk along the estuary, then head home to cook something warm together, eat and watch a quality film.

During the week (pre-weekend):
Restaurants– D-K-Che of IB (my favorite place for juice and a sandwich in IB), Underbelly of North Park, Donna Jean (my favorite vegan pizza spot, the Widow pizza is HEAVENLY), Awash Ethiopian market/restaurant, Bar Kindred, Taste of the Himalayas, Hayes Burger of Barrio Logan, Casa de la Tlayuda in Tijuana, Mamut Cerveceria in Tijuana, Los Alejandros of North Park (that shrimp burrito has me stuck, they season with bay leaves. BAY LEAVES!), of course, my favorite food truck, Shawarma Guys, and Island Spice.

Sigh Seeing- Mural Hunt, dad’s back yard, the estuary path, all of the shops in Barrio Logan (specifically Agevco, Beatbox Records, Brujixs Del Barrio), graffiti in the underpasses and tunnels by some amazing SD artists, the Chula Vista Marina, the Balboa Park natural reserve, the spot at the top of Paradise Hills where you can see the whole city lit up at night, OB’s farmer’s market on Wednesday nights, Prohibition Bar for Blues Night.

Weekend – Farmer’s Market in IB, Farmer’s Market in Little Italy, Art walk in Barrio Logan, Soul Sunday, Playas de Tijuana, Music Box if there’s a good show happening, Sweetwater Bridge for a photo shoot, Sunday Dinner at Dad’s house.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?

There are so many people I could name that contributed to my creative journey. I will name a few.

I want to thank my father, Gaidi Finnie, for always encouraging me to stick to what I love. When I was younger, he used to say that if I’m going to try something, I had to do it for at least one year. I didn’t understand why until later. There are some things that you will only find appreciation for with patience and dedication. This encouraged me to never throw my hands up and walk away, but to see the value in something and make a careful choice to stick with it or change directions.

My mother Lady Alicia Hamilton, who has been the voice in my ear telling me that I am amazing and will do amazing things. Sometimes I joke with her, saying “You’re just saying that cause you’re my momma!” to which she cheerfully responds, “I’m saying it because it’s true!” In my lowest moments, she has been my therapist, spiritual advisor, my best friend, my critic, my idea bank, and most of all, my reminder of all the glorious women who have come before me. Thank you, Mommy.

I would also love to thank my brother, who has been my partner in crime, my trusted source for true feedback, my greatest inspiration to always be true to who I am, the person who knows what words hit me the right way. He has always been my hero and always will be. If you haven’t met Paris Finnie, you really ought to.

Next, I’d like to thank Linda Franklin. We have had many versions of our relationship– and each phase served a purpose. We are now in the space where we can talk as friends, and when I steer too far away from my values, she calls me out and reminds me that I have work to do on this planet. There have been many calls at all hours of the day, for ideas for art supplies, crises when I question whether I’m an artist or a phony, and, sometimes, just asking if I can come to her house and lay under the eucalyptus tree with a blanket and recharge. Nomatter the circumstance, I am forever grateful for every way she has offered her love to me.

A list of family members who have seen phases of my evolution, good, bad, and ugly, and have shown me love in just the way I needed: Aunt Cathy, Devon LaRay Hamilton, Joi Simmons, Joey & Silvia Finnie and the WHOLE family, Bonnie Finley, Jeff Kirking, Edi Shifrin, Kathy Kilman, Del Scott, Joshua Finnie, Jasmine Finnie, Desiree Franklin, Jessica Franklin, Mimi & Jaleea, Aunt Chery, Roxanne Girard, Ed Nesfield.

A list of mentors who have seen my enthusiasm, craft, and potential, and made space at the table for me: Tre Borden, Professor Housefield, Cesar Torres, Jess & Dan @ SD Urban Timber, Mr. Fred Moore, Clarence Cuthbertson, Makeda Dread, Professor Matthew Lechowick, Yessenia Hulsey, Jorge / NestMurals, Kemi Talabi, John Brooks, Brian Goodin, Bernie Fishman, Jenell Gilyard, Jessa Ciel.

A list of friends who have seen me through all of my evolution and held me accountable while also offering guidance and tips when I needed it: Kirstin Green, Sierra Holter, Bridget Campos, Angie + Wes, Asante Sefa-Boakye, Camille Locke, Carmen Mason, Ricardo Arriaga, Selam Fikre, Maryliz + Arturo, Matthew Bridges, Alicia K. Hall, Stephen W. Love, Pooja Shinde, Ra Henderson, Anyce / Chanel Obey, Cozette Ellis, EVERYONE at Hayes Burger Barrio Logan, Ramel J Wallace, Benji Huerta, Nathan Goodrich, Adam Sutherlin, Eboni Gwendolyn, Nikia Sunchild, Haja Abydara, Jona Brizueña, Catherine Sirotkin, Izzy @ Artreach, Immie Suwichapanit, Brandi Coley.

*Whew* There are so many more. This is just a few. Thank you to everyone who gave my light when I lost my way and gave me warmth when I needed it. I hope I have given you the same, and I plan to continue.

Instagram: milan.finnie

Image Credits
Credit for the full children’s mural photo goes to Chloe Moya with ArtReach San Diego