Johannesburg South mourns beloved artist and teacher Ina Millman

Johannesburg’s south has lost one of its brightest lights with the passing of Ina Millman, a much-loved artist, art teacher, mentor and proud daughter of the south.

Ina passed away on October 27, 2026, leaving behind her devoted husband, children and grandchildren, and a community she touched in countless ways.

A passion for art from an early age

A Mondeor girl through and through, Ina grew up in the area, attending Mondeor Primary School before matriculating at Fakkel Hoërskool in 1971.

She later earned her BA degree at Potchefstroom University for Christian Higher Education in 1974.

Although art was always her calling, her journey had a few detours. Her father initially felt she was too clever to study what he called ‘airy-fairy art’ but Ina’s passion could not be put aside.

From a young age, she knew what she wanted to do. In fact, she sold her first painting, a little impala, at just three years old.

She eventually found her way to the art world, attending workshops and learning under some of South Africa’s respected artists. Her dedication, natural talent and willingness to keep learning helped shape the accomplished artist she became.

Working confidently in watercolours, oils, acrylics, pastels and mixed media, Ina developed a distinctive style inspired by nature, everyday life and above all, the magic of sunlight. She had a special ability to capture the way light transformed an ordinary scene into something extraordinary.

Her paintings travelled far beyond Johannesburg, finding homes in Australia, New Zealand, Germany, the United States, the United Kingdom and Canada. Her work was also exhibited internationally, including at the Del Bello Gallery in Toronto, Albi in France and the IWS Cafe Gallery in Kosovo.

Her achievements included numerous exhibitions and awards, with her first solo exhibition at Yapanis Gallery in July 2006 proving a great success.

More recently, her first-place achievement in Cheryl’s International Watercolour Society’s ‘Paint a View’ online competition was another proud moment in an already remarkable artistic journey.

More than an artist

However, Ina’s greatest contribution may well have been the people she inspired along the way.

Based in Kibler Park, she opened her home and her heart to artists of all abilities, teaching regular classes, hosting workshops and organising art holidays.

She believed that everyone had creativity within them and encouraged her students to look beyond what was immediately in front of them.

For Ina, painting was much more than a skill. It was a way to connect with life, nature, and the world around her. She once described it as a healing and energising experience, a quiet place where she could become completely immersed in her work.

Her love for art remained strong even through difficult personal challenges. After being diagnosed with large T-cell lymphoma, she faced an aggressive course of treatment, which forced her to take a year away from painting and teaching. The illness also affected the use of her right hand.

Yet, with remarkable determination, she began painting again and looked forward to welcoming students back to her classes. Her return to the easel reminded everyone how much art meant to her.

In September 2024, she also opened the Wakkerstroom Art Gallery, another exciting chapter that she shared with her devoted husband, Tim, and her twin granddaughters, Cassidy and Ayla.

A legacy that will continue to shine

Since news of her passing, heartfelt tributes have poured in from friends, former students and fellow artists.

Members of the Jozi South community remembered her as a beloved ‘Jozi South Treasure’, with a warm and loving nature.

Fellow artist Johann van Heerden captured the feelings of many when he wrote: “Thank you for your beautiful art. Your soft, loving nature and beautiful artist soul will never be forgotten.”

Watercolour Art Southern Africa also honoured her contribution to the art community, celebrating the beautiful and varied body of work she leaves behind.

For Johannesburg’s south, Ina was more than an accomplished artist. She was a neighbour, a teacher, a friend and an inspiration.

She shared her knowledge freely, encouraged others to follow their creative dreams and brought people together through a shared love of painting.

Her passing leaves a space that will be difficult to fill, but her legacy will live on in the paintings treasured in homes around the world, in the students who discovered their own artistic abilities under her guidance, and in the beauty of everyday moments she taught others to appreciate.

The South has lost a special gem, but the light Ina so lovingly captured on canvas will continue to shine for generations to come.

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