MIKE MILLER | Art as investigation

Welcome to Mike Miller

Here’s an artist’s statement: I need to own the image, to capture and then investigate and alter and ultimately, if I succeed, exalt it. If the end is beauty, the process is not exactly nice. And it’s very straightforward; by current definitions I’m radical in my thinking but quite conservative in my painting.

The works posted here comprise two small collections:

The China group lovingly recalls my short stay in that country to study Chinese law. These paintings are both gently comedic and self-accusatory. I simply didn’t realize how much of an idiot I was until well after I left.

Snapshots paintings are based on old black-and-white photographs, many taken in Williamstown, New Jersey in the 1950s, a few others in Pennsylvania in the 1970s and 1980s. They attempt to express the abuse and rage below the usual pleasing pretention of such memorabilia.

I’m a born Philadelphian: I love Paulownia trees blooming purple along Regional Rail line, the Schuylkill right down the block from me, and Center City at Christmastime. Atlantic City, too; it’s all my territory. I’m thinking now about paintings in pairs: two clumps of bored travelers at 30th St. Station, two avid fortune tellers on the Boardwalk. We’ll have to see how it goes.

Please enjoy.