In the Eye of the Beholder
The artworks of Kellie Miller
Kellie Miller: Mystic Alcea Rosea
As a creative child, full of determination to succeed in a creative world, my sole ambition was to live a creative life and make my living from my creative endeavours. My life has pursued many paths. Those paths crossed, ran parallel, then perpendicular, bent, and tracked in many directions. Ultimately, I have achieved my goal, and life has gotten richer with opportunities that present in many forms.
With that creative child in mind, I always ask how we nurture their spirit and harness their power to remain imaginative and creative throughout their lives. Damping a child's ability to grow their creative talents can impede their development in many areas. Many parents encourage their children to play and experiment, but they often limit this exploration as the children develop. Mainstream educational practices tend to focus primarily on left-brain activities, which isn't the best approach. A creative child is forced to navigate their way in this environment, which in itself requires an innate problem-solving skill. Encouraging creative children to thrive is essential for developing the world's next great thinkers and problem solvers.
Kellie Miller: Symphony
My path has led me to make my artistic practice the heart of my work; beauty is significant in both the art produced and the curation process. Beauty is powerful and not frivolous, but can often be political. Art is critical to our well-being and can be beautiful without being deliberately crude or aggressive. It can convey many messages, but being approachable and inclusive allows it to be shared and enjoyed by many.
My mixed-media approach flows freely between abstract and figurative imagery, with nature often being the central idea. The works must exude hope and optimism while being accessible and tactile. I cherish the abstract art approach because it is not prescriptive and invites the viewer to feel and then interpret the artwork as a whole.
Kellie Miller: The Shape of Water
Travel is a key inspiration and can be as simple as walking, journeying, or visiting other places and countries. Earlier pieces had a more direct correlation, featuring aerial views that combined cityscape and landscape. Recent works use floriography—the language of flowers—to communicate hidden messages (cryptological) in the paintings. An example of the art of cryptological communication can often be found in brides' bouquets.
Curating affords the opportunity of bringing together artworks in space and time. Like creating my art, it is a layered process. It is alchemy when everything comes together, and you create an inspiring environment that surrounds you. The space becomes the canvas; each component is crucial to the finished masterpiece. The intention is to create from the heart, where the most beautiful art arises.
Kellie Miller: Secret Admirer
Kellie Miller: Unfolding