Interview

Written By Editorial Team

Geoffrey Miller

Geoff Miller is a celebrated multi-media artist, born, raised, and currently residing and working in Upstate New York. Miller began his artistic career focusing on photography, intrigued by the abstraction of architecture, its role as living sculpture and questioning how these spaces influence our collective psyche and the greater social cohesion of communities. As the convergence of color and texture became increasingly more principal to his photography, Miller experimented between processes and mediums. Honing in on painting, he explored the role that color can play in communication, specifically, can color in and of itself be used as a vernacular. Miller’s current work is decidedly expressionist: abstract bordering on non-representational, intending to convey human emotions rather than a discernible subject, leaving the intent and meaning subjective to the viewer.  Miller holds a degree from Siena College and attended The Fashion Institute of Technology, The Arts Students League, and kept a studio in Milan, Italy where he attended open studio classes, produced work in preparation for private showings and was an active part of the art and design community. Miller’s work is held in private collections in both the US and Europe, with his large-scale paintings hanging in corporate collections. Actively sought after for private commissions, he has been exhibited in Italy and New York, with an honorary exhibit held at his alma mater.

 

What is your background and how did you start your journey in the art world?

“I was born in Albany and raised in Clifton Park, New York. I have a Bachelors Degree in Marketing and Management from Siena College and attended The Fashion Institute of Technology, The Arts Students League, and kept a studio in Milan, Italy where I attended open studio classes.

As a child, I was exposed to art and music through my family and my father, taking constant trips to Manhattan museums and galleries. I always had a camera in one hand and a crayon in the other. The view finder was my window on the world and a scrap of paper my soundboard. I snapped pictures and made colored marks in equal measure. As I grew older, I was intrigued by the abstraction of architecture, its role as living sculpture and questioning how these spaces influence the collective psyche and greater social cohesion of communities. The convergence of color and texture became increasingly more principal to my work.

Honing in on painting, I explored the role that color can play in communication, specifically, can color in and of itself be used as a vernacular. My current work is decidedly expressionist: abstract bordering on non-representational, intending to convey human emotions rather than a discernible subject, leaving the intent and meaning subjective to the viewer. In my ongoing series, ‘Tropius,’ I explore visual deficits set against the longstanding principles of the Bauhaus. Reduced to perfunctory tenants of color, surface and architecture, I create works that inhabit the passage of time. Like a rusted beam left over from decades of neglect, I reimagine architectural elements and artifacts to create rich and emotive compositions that are complex in their layered and painterly style.”

What inspires you?

“Everything in one sense or another. Inspiration isn’t limited to one thing or idea. It is all around us. The power of color in Painting Caravaggio power of chiaroscuro. Nature, emotions, anger and emotional response.”

What themes do you pursue? Is there an underlying message in your work?

“Exploring the role that color can play in communication, specifically, can color in and of itself be used as a vernacular. Exploring the role that color can play in communication, specifically can color in and of itself be used as a vernacular. A dynamic medium to express how we feel. The expressive qualities of color are so powerful that they can create instant emotional reactions in people. Jimi Hendrix used colors to describe sound. Dissecting the ideas of color It is open to interpretation. The difficulty with words is how people interpret them. Do colors have the same problem? I leave that decision to the person looking at it. The expressive qualities of color are so powerful that they can create instant emotional reactions in people. My paintings blend strong colors, varied textures, and emotive expressions in order to explore the complexities, challenges, and contradictions within everyday life. Taking my experiences as inspiration, I strive to create a visual experience that speaks to life’s multifaceted and layered nature. My works, while firmly rooted in my kind of personal perception, strive to bridge the gap between reality and fantasy. The paintings I make are the fruit of an eclectic life that delves into art, politics, music, and culture. By combining these elements in my artwork, I strive to create images that both reflect an individual life experience, as well as conveying it to wider audiences. Ultimately, my artwork seeks to capture a moment in time, imbued with color, texture, and emotion that will create a lasting and impactful connection with the viewer. Color, texture, and emotion are key elements of my artwork which I use to create visual narratives themed around my life experiences. Through my art, I express the full spectrum of emotions I have felt throughout my life. I believe that art can communicate the unique and diverse experiences of a person’s life in ways that no other medium can.”

How would you describe your work?

“Static. In my work, I explore the profound relationship between color and communication, focusing on how visual impact shapes our perceptions and emotions. Color is more than mere pigment; it serves as a language of its own, capable of conveying complex narratives and evoking visceral reactions. Through the deliberate interplay of hue, saturation, and textures, I aim to create an immersive experience that invites viewers to engage with the artwork on both an emotional and intellectual level. Texture plays a crucial role in this dialogue. The tactile quality of paint - whether it is smooth and glossy or rough and impasto - adds depth and dimension, enhancing the way color is perceived. I experiment with proprietary materials and layering techniques, allowing colors to interact and transform, creating a dynamic visual tension that captivates the eye and encourages contemplation. My artistic practice is rooted in the belief that color can transcend barriers, fostering connection and understanding among diverse audiences. Each piece is a conversation, a bridge between the artist and the viewer, where the vibrancy of color and the richness of texture coalesce to express shared human experiences. In this way, my paintings become not only a reflection of my inner world but also an invitation to others to explore their own narratives within the vivid nonobjective imagery I create. Through my exploration of color and texture, I hope to illuminate the power of visual communication and inspire a deeper appreciation for the emotional language of painting.”

Which artists influence you most?

“Everything! Architecture. Color. The early High Renaissance and Baroque periods (1500 - 1520), exemplified by Caravaggio’s masterful use of chiaroscuro, and the renowned drawings of Leonardo da Vinci. The powerful sculptural work had a powerful impression on. The invention of oil paints in the 15th Century, which allowed a greater use of brushstrokes and could be reworked while still wet giving artists the ability to create new depth of textural variation in their work. The power of Goya’s etchings and the development of the printing press Rchter The blending of colors in Monet’s water lilies Renoir’s. And the painterly style of of Impressionism. The invention of photography and printing. Degas and Paul Sérusier’s (1869 - 19410) use of color to express feelings and Bernard’s abstraction. The art of poster making from the end of the 19th century abstract expressionism of Pollock Rothko and Motherwell. I am influenced more by the past world of art from renaissance from sculpture to architecture. The colors of rusting and dirt, of time.”

“In my work, I explore the profound relationship between color and communication, focusing on how visual impact shapes our perceptions and emotions.”

What is your creative process like?

“Mostly discovery and play, exploring how materials can act together But something doesn’t necessarily have to have a meaning and some things are created on whim and don’t always have to have intention or meaning, it goes both ways. When I show someone something I’ve been working on and they ask what is the meaning and I tell them there is none they don’t believe or understand that creation can be play. It kind of annoys me when people insist my work has to mean something or it isn’t art, this I do not agree with.”

What is an artist’s role in society and how do you see that evolving?

“The artist’s role in society is not necessarily required but can be used to create a larger awareness about the state of the world or particular issues. I created a painting of the war torn Ukrainian flag in 2022 as a reaction to what was happening and hoped to create awareness of the suffering and destruction. The painting was seen by someone at the Ukrainian Cultural Institute and I donated it to them for their annual fundraising gala from which I donated all the money to a fundraiser I helped initiate for displaced children. I am now making prints of the painting which are available through my website and through the institute, and all the profits from the sale go directly to the fundraiser to raise more money.”

Have you had any noteworthy exhibitions you'd like to share?

“There are so many! I was recently at the Neue Gallery in NYC of paintings from Klimt and Schiele. There is an Alvin Aliey exhibit at The Whitney which was very beautiful. But even hanging around the JP Morgan museum library or the fifth floor at MOMA. The galleries in Chelsea and the lower east side I am in the process of trying to create an art space in Saratoga Springs involving contemporary local artists and immersive sound exhibitions I am working on, trying to make art more relatable and fun. I’ve had exhibitions both in the United States and Italy. I have worked with the Laffer Gallery in Saratoga Springs as well as small exhibitions in Milan and a special exhibition of my photos at my alma mater. I have worked with several corporate businesses in both the United States and Italy.”

 
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