Interview
Marnie Miller
Marnie Miller, often recognized as "Art by Marnie Miller," is a dynamic and passionate Texas artist whose creative journey began in the heart of rural farm life. Raised miles away from the nearest house, Marnie's profound connection to animals and nature shaped her artistic sensibilities from a young age. One pivotal childhood event etched itself into her memory and steered her towards a life of art: a harrowing attempt to rescue a feral cat with her brother, Jeff, led to an injury that confined Jeff to bed for months. During this period of forced stillness, Marnie discovered the transformative power of art as a means of connection and expression. Deprived of the wilderness and their usual primitive adventures, Marnie and Jeff turned to making things - sculpting with salt dough and clay, building model airplanes, and drawing.
These creative explorations laid the foundation for Marnie's lifelong devotion to art. Her brother's recovery and resilience mirrored her own growing artistic spirit, sparking a fire that would never dim. Marnie's work is a vivid reflection of her eclectic experiences and boundless enthusiasm. She sees the world in a spectrum of colors, sounds, and textures, where every element of life is infused with artistic potential. From cooking and gardening to sculpting and welding, Marnie lives and breathes art, seeing beauty and inspiration in the everyday and the extraordinary alike. Her portraits are more than mere representations; they are deeply personal studies of her subjects' lives, personalities, and stories. Marnie's fascination with eyes - whether in animals, people, or even trees - reveals her desire to connect with the essence of her subjects. Her admiration for charismatic and rebellious figures, both historical and contemporary, infuses her work with a sense of cultural commentary and personal reflection. Unconstrained by formal art training, Marnie revels in her creative freedom, using unconventional methods and materials to bring her visions to life. Her process is as fluid and evolving as she is, each piece a unique manifestation of her ever-changing self. The result is an honest, raw, and magnetically engaging body of work that invites viewers to see the world through her unfiltered, vibrant perspective. Marnie's artistic influences are as diverse as her experiences. From the timeless masters like Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, and Van Gogh to contemporary icons like Frida Kahlo and Banksy, she draws inspiration from a wide array of artists and styles. Her travels, both as a civilian and a soldier in the United States Air Force, have exposed her to art from around the globe, further enriching her unique approach. Today, Marnie's art can be found across the United States and in 16 other countries. Her work has been featured in Hollywood movies, political campaigns, presidential museums, veteran flight museums, and numerous charitable organizations. As a featured artist for Interior Design Firms, various fund raisers and other platforms, Marnie continues to inspire and connect through her vibrant creations. Art by Marnie Miller is more than just art; it is a celebration of life, love, and the boundless possibilities of the human spirit. Marnie invites you to join her on this creative journey, where every piece tells a story and every moment is an opportunity to make the world a brighter, more beautiful place.
What is your background and how did you start your journey in the art world?
“Although my art direction had many influences, one early moment in my life stands out as the "it" factor. At age 5, my older brother and I attempted to rescue a stray cat roaming behind the barn. We both had big soft hearts and living as farm raised children, miles away from the nearest house, we had a natural connection to animals and the wilderness. He and I attempted to rescue a feral cat, alone and afraid. With thoughtful plans of a warm blanket and a bowl of milk, we were eager to swaddle and love it. Our advances provoked the wild animal to defend itself, focusing most all of its attack on my brother's face. Such a beautiful face with dark olive skin, black hair and ice blue eyes. The cat severely wounded Jeff's face and almost took one of his eyes in the frightened frenzied attack. Through sheer terror, we managed to fight it off and free ourselves. With bloody clothes, face torn to bits and gut wrenching screams, my mother threw us in the car for a high flying, front seat, fast and furious trip to the hospital. My brother spent more than nine months recovering from the attack and missed an entire year of school due to complications associated with cat scratch fever. Because he was under strict orders for quiet bed rest, the days of splashing in the creek, riding bareback and climbing trees were put on hold. The need for a clean, clinical environment at home left us without animals, insects, reptiles or outdoor calamities.
At first that seemed almost impossible for we two adventure seekers. We were so very poor and didn’t have TV or gaming systems. Back then, we still had a rotary phone party line and the internet didn't exist. A piece of paper and a pencil became a tiny spark in my own evolutionary progress and the raging creative fire that has engulfed my spirit like a volcanic glow. Art became the way. The way to survive it all. It was a way to share and connect, while escaping the world all at the same time. During his illness, we were fortunate to have little distraction from the art of making things. Our day to day challenges ranged from modeling salt dough or clay and building model airplanes to pencil drawings, stick castles and wood carvings. From the edge of his bed, with every new art technique and creative realization, we sorta figured things out. With a big brother thump on the head and a playful push to try again, competition and sibling rivalry was the perfect encouragement for a sassy little "I can do it myself" country girl, like me. My brother more than recovered from the incident. He grew to such a gorgeously handsome young man, 6'5" tall, All American College High Jumper and an amazing husband and father today. The never ending path of experiments, trials and inventive ideas is what I believe started this snowball in motion. Since the very beginning, art in its many forms, has been the physical manifestation of my rebel nature and failure to conform.”
What inspires you?
“I was born different, quirky and passionate about everything! My journey has been a long series of creative stepping stones, dark tunnels and turbulent seas on the scenic route toward a certain raw, unfiltered self awareness. I am literally inspired by everything. I taste food in color and the wind sounds like music to me. I see music in strange layers of color like colored glass pieces laid over the top of one another, creating the feeling of music. I don't do anything that isn't about art. I open a book and smell its musty vintage pages. That smell creates a art piece in my mind with individual flow, color, intensity and pause. I don't comprehend one minute of a life that isn't consumed with the genius of creating freely. From cooking and gardening, to sewing, sculpting, building, welding or chasing farm animals here at the studio- it’s all art. The way the air flows in and out of our lungs is art but the most fascinating artform will always be loving. Whatever or whoever it is; to love it with all you are is making fine art, unforgettable art and I think sharing my art is sharing love. That's what it's all about isn't it? I know it's your interview so you don't have to answer that.”
What themes do you pursue? Is there an underlying message in your work?
“Instinctively, I am drawn to anything with eyes! Animals, reptiles, birds, people and trees. I personify everything around me so I pursue lots and lots of adventurous art projects. People and their expressions are my favorite things to study. I love the charismatic, rebellious, legends of the music world. I love the characters famous people play and I also love the face behind the characters. When I'm working on a portrait, I ask intimate questions and study many, many things about the subject, not just what they "look" like. I try to create a certain feel for the person, their taste in music, food, hobbies, relationships and talents. I love the vintage iconic super stars that literally change our culture, our future and our chaos. You know the iconic names that mark history, Jimi Hendrix, Dolly Parton, Jesus Christ, Ronald Reagan, Taylor Swift and/or Old Yellow. The underlying message in my work is pretty simple. This life we live here in this body on Earth, this is just an amusement park for the soul. Live like it's supposed to be fun! Even the scary rides and ridiculous junk food. Live like you mean it. We can make the world a brighter, more beautiful place. Warm the space wherever you stand and bring those around you out of darkness with the art of your smile. The human voice has such a kind, gentle invitation. The rare art of voices gives the universe hope. So be you. Be real. That’s what I'd like my art to say.”
How would you describe your work?
“After years of depression, failures and half hearted attempts at being "normal," I decided to forgoe my repulsion for every day reality and escape the monotony of day to day nonsense. This is my life, right? If I'm going to screw it up, I'm going to do it with style, my own style. There's just no place in the heart of an artist for crazy talk about things like reality and responsibility. To a child, it's just nonsense and our creative genius is the child inside that refused to grow up. So, I let her play. I chase dreams on canvas, dance in the rain and make the story of the world we live in really fun to tell. I use non-conventional methods and weird tools to bring my art to life and bare my untamed soul. Having had no professional art training, I believe I have total creative freedom not limited by textbook definitions or compromising guidelines.
When the chest pumping drive to create something is fighting to spread its wings, the power to too strong to bridle with any type of formal right or wrong. There is a very real and profound honesty in my work that seems to call people by name and council your every question, reason and qualm. I try to make others feel magnetically connected and fondly familiar from the very first introduction. I am mesmerized by color, texture, pattern and depth. I am consumed by the chaotic mountains and valleys of everyday life. My art screams that I live my life, I'm not just walking around pretending to breathe. While immersed in a creative work, I find peace in my heart while the rest of the world simply fades away into soft white noise except being a mom. When I'm painting, in my mind, my children are small, still at home and I can hear them laughing. I'm sure that sounds corny, but as a Southern Mama with three adult kids, they showed me real art. That’s the really magical thing about art, no matter who created it, no one person ever owns the intimacy of art. The soul of a piece belongs to any person who stops to consider its magic, take it all in and feel its connection.”
Which artists influence you most?
“Having traveled all over the world both as a civilian and as a soldier in the United States Air Force, the list of artists that have influenced me most is so varied and widespread, it's really hard to narrow down. I bought a piece of tribal character art from a 7 year old boy at a garage sale and it's one of my very favorite pieces of all time. He didn't sign the piece but his soul is there and he seemed like an old soul with a rare and beautiful gift. His art piece hangs over my bathtub and to me and my relaxation time, his green and gold tribal warrior brings so much to my world. As far as art history goes, I've been to Rome, Paris, Greece and many other countries and seen the chapels in first person. Gosh, how do I choose which one's move me the most. Of course, I love all the great artistic heroes in history but to name a few that stand out and really move me, of course Leonardo da Vinci, Michaelangelo, Picasso and Van Gogh but then there's Frida Khalo and off in another direction, Banksy. I love the strokes of Egon Schiele and beguiling pleasures of pigment and hue provided by Henri Matisse. I'm influenced by everything and everything is art.”
“I'm influenced by everything and everything is art.”
What is your creative process like?
“My creative process is all over the place depending on the piece. I start with a design concept or "map" if you will. I decide what I'm going to do but then it sorta creates it's own life after that. I research everything from it's history and evolution to the way people respond to it. I sketch it and sometimes add texture like sand or metal flakes, epoxy or fabric. I use all kinds of paint, ink, wax, crayons, cosmetics and even dirt to make my art. I use bones, feathers, rock and leaves to create texture, patterns and feel. My creative process is completely free and evolves as I work. It's completely different for each piece as I am a new and improved version of myself every single day. What I painted yesterday influences what I paint tomorrow, but they are not created by the same artist. Who and what will I create with the new me I evolve to tomorrow? Oh what fun to imagine.”
What is an artist’s role in society and how do you see that evolving?
“Artists in all their many shapes and forms from painting to music and cooking; we are the keepers of creativity. I believe that we artists go to great lengths photographing and recording our overwhelming existence . Artists carve out the detailed essence of our common shared humanity. Artists record historical events and that puts us in the moment and gives the moments meaning. Artists challenge tradition and conventional thought. We introduce new perspectives and help to mend and merge cultures. Artists not only share values and contribute new ideas for understanding life, they bring people together in such a beautiful and unfiltered way. I believe that society has always kept a profound role for the soul of an artist. The artists role is truly one of the most critical roles in society. Creativity and inspiration run hand in hand. They're meant to be worn like a Superman Cape.”
Have you had any noteworthy exhibitions you'd like to share?
“Currently, this little Texas artist has original artwork and prints all over the US, in all 50 states and 16 other countries. We have Art by Marnie Miller being used on the set of Hollywood movies, political campaigns, presidential museums, veteran flight museums, Christian Organizations, the Make a Wish Foundation, Hospice Feature Artist, Celebrity Golf Tournament Fund Raisers, children's art therapy, Interior Design Firm Features and more. Come by the online stores for a visit. Bring some friends and family with you. I love friends and family. I hope you'll be sure to follow my creative journey. I've got great big things coming and it's going to get fun so I hope you'll be a part of this adventure with us.”
Website: www.artbymarniemiller.com
Instagram: @artbymarniemiller
