Both the Milans were fascinated by art as children. John's mother encouraged his natural ability to draw; he received his first set of paints from one of his mother's friends. Elli was never without a piece of crayon; as a result her mother was always discovering pieces melted into her clothing after going through the wash.

John was born in California but spent most of his childhood in Hawaii. Elli was born in Washington and moved to Hawaii as a teenager. There the couple met soon after, while Elli was still in high school and John was "beach bumming". Deciding early to make a career as an artist, John enrolled at the Douglas Anderson School of Art in Jacksonville, Florida. Eventually Elli came east and attended the Savannah College of Art and Design in Georgia. John soon joined her.

After Elli was finished with high school they moved to Athens Georgia to study at the University of Georgia. It was in this small, but vital city that the couple developed personal styles and began showing their work. After graduation they moved to Atlanta. The couple worked independently producing paintings and graphics. It was a busy if not hectic period and with the arrival of their first child the couple moved to Phoenix Arizona. The couple has had a life long love affair with Greece. many extended trips to the mainland and the islands have given both of them inspiration that is reflected in their artwork and life.

The Milans create their paintings together. Elli works on the paper or canvas first. She applies the primary surface and then with a random elegance lays down collage paper and various fabrics. These are then covered with a dark stain. The piece is then passed to John and he applies the paint. Both oils and acrylics are used as well as various gels and glazes. His paintings respond to Elli's surface but he also moves to his own rhythm.

The overall effect is a cohesive jumble. The aggressive yet calculated layers of paint and fabric create a bright and playful scenario.