Every home
has a story.
Original watercolor portraits of the homes people love, drawn and painted by hand from your photographs.
Currently booking November and December — October is fully booked.
Craftsman bungalow
No digital prints. No watercolor filters. No AI generated artwork.
Originals on paper
Recent House Paintings
Each painting is created individually by hand, so architecture, landscaping, color, linework, and level of detail will naturally vary from house to house.
Tap a painting to see it up close
A house, reimagined
From House to Painting
Watch a house come to life in watercolor — color blooming across the paper in seconds. A taste of the transformation; your finished painting is always drawn and painted by hand.
Meridian-Kessler
About the Artist
I studied painting at Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers University, then barely touched a brush again for three decades — aside from the occasional doodle — until recently. My paintings combine pen line with watercolor wash, all done by hand. I simplify where it helps the composition, while keeping the character of each house recognizable. I picked the brush back up because I love the charm of these homes and the special meaning they hold for their families. Each one has its own character, much like the people who live there.
Outside the studio, I work in tech as an experience designer and I am a Master of Social Work student. I serve as a suicide prevention counselor with The Trevor Project, and I currently support Udruga IKS, an international NGO, contributing research, grant writing, and impact analysis.
This started as a Meridian-Kessler project. I moved to the neighborhood a year ago and fell in love with it — the tree-lined streets, the old houses, and the warm, fun people here. Offering house paintings as commissions is a recent idea, so this is still a bit experimental — but the interest has been far greater than I expected, thanks in no small part to the neighbors who encouraged me to share this work.
Four steps
How It Works
Send Your Photos
Submit a few clear photographs of the house and tell me about any details that are especially important to you.
I Review Your Request
I review every request and aim to respond within 2 to 3 business days. I’ll confirm the scope, price, and timing before you decide to proceed.
Confirm the Commission
If you decide to proceed, payment in full reserves your place on my easel. You then approve the pencil drawing before any paint goes down, and you're fully refunded if it isn't right.
I Paint Your House
I draw and paint your house by hand and let you know when the original is complete. Optional cards and prints can follow — more on that below.
Original artwork
Commission Pricing
Each commission is an original physical watercolor, and I accept a limited number at a time.
A larger 16 × 20 format is on its way — easel runs for that size will be strictly limited. Ask early if you're interested.
Shipping and applicable sales tax are extra and confirmed before payment.
9 × 12 inches
Standard commission
$200
11 × 15 inches
Standard commission
$275
16 × 20 inches Coming soon
Large format — limited easel runs
$450
Every commission includes
- Original hand painted watercolor
- Physical artwork on watercolor paper
- One house per painting
- Created individually from submitted photographs
- Minor visual cleanup when appropriate
- Unframed
- Full refund until you approve the drawing
- Indianapolis delivery or pickup included
- Insured shipping available at cost
Payment and my guarantee
Payment in full reserves your place on my easel. Before any watercolor touches paper, you receive a private link with the pencil drawing of your house to look over and approve. If at that point it doesn’t feel right to you, or if for any reason I can’t complete your painting as promised, you receive a full refund, promptly and without fuss.
I’ve had a couple of recent issues where I put hours into work that people never followed through on, so this new policy protects both of us.
Have something else in mind?
Choose “Something else — let’s discuss” in the form for a smaller piece or another special request. We will agree on the scope and price before either of us commits.
Questions
Frequently Asked
After your painting
Turn Your Painting Into More
Once your painting is complete, it can also become personalized cards, stationery, and small art prints to keep, share, or give. You don’t need to decide now. Add-ons can be ordered after your painting is finished or anytime later.
Optional cards and prints are reproductions of your finished painting, created only when you request them.
Folded Greeting Cards
5 cards $20 · 10 cards $35 · 20 cards $60
5 × 7 folded cards featuring your artwork on the front. Blank inside. Envelopes included.
Flat Art Cards
5 cards $15 · 10 cards $25 · 20 cards $45
5 × 7 heavyweight flat cards featuring the artwork on the front. Envelopes included.
Deckled Mini Prints
1 print $10 · 3 prints $25 · 5 prints $40
Small reprints of your painting on textured paper with a softly torn edge — called a deckled edge — for a warm, handcrafted feel.
Keepsake Collection
Collection $35
Five folded greeting cards, five flat art cards, and two deckled mini prints, hand-tied with baker’s twine.
All three pieces, together in one collection.
Order From an Existing Painting
Already have a Johnny Mills painting? Your digitized artwork can be used to create cards and prints anytime.
Request cards or printsNo obligation
Request a House Painting
Share your photos and preferences, and I’ll review your request. I’ll confirm the scope, price, and timing before you decide to proceed. There’s no obligation to purchase, and no payment is collected with this request.
I'm now booking for November and December. October is currently booked. You're welcome to send a request for a future commission, or share a smaller, different, or special idea for us to discuss.
I aim to respond within 2 to 3 business days.