We recently connected with Abigail Chase Miller and have shared our conversation below.

Abigail, appreciate you joining us today. Are you happier as a creative? Do you sometimes think about what it would be like to just have a regular job? Can you talk to us about how you think through these emotions?

This is an incredibly viable question that I tackle with on a regular basis. Although my creative journey has been an overall exciting and fulfilling one, if I could do things over, I would. I was at a my niece’s wedding a few years ago. My sister’s friend asked me to talk to her creative daughter about what I would do if I were in her shoes as a young artists and getting an undergraduate degree in college and beyond. My advice to her was to always enjoy making art as a creative outlet, but using your time wisely while in college getting a degree that was anything but artistic. I suggested getting a degree in the medical field or the legal field or in a field that could benefit her as a viable money making career. This way when someone pays you for your work, you have the potential of making a lot of money per hour. I also believe studying anything but art would make her a more well rounded person.

In my opinion those of us that are creative will always create. Extending the mind to be shaped in as many ways as possible, that is the secret. If you are lucky enough to be able to go to college to focus in a field that will get you ready for your future career and future self, choose wisely. If your natural art abilities will ultimately lead you into supporting yourself financially, all the power to you. The creative field is not for the faint of heart when it comes to supporting your life style.

Abigail, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

Growing up in New York City, surrounded by the vast world of art and culture, it was natural for me to gravitate my focus on the arts. I was captivated by all of the various artists’ work I would see on a regular basis at art museums around New York.

I have a degree in interior design and I worked in the industry for a while. I paid my way while earning my associates degree at Parsons by working in the field of interior design. Art was my life. While working in the field, I knew that I wanted to master painting, but I was not sure how that could lead into a viable career for me. At some point while I was raising my children, I worked diligently mastering my painting techniques. Then I started doing commissioned work. I started a business where I created murals and custom paintings for clients. My favorite thing to create for my clients is custom art work, which has eventually led into my pet portrait and people portrait business. Once I earned my MA in Sculpture from Savanah College of Art and Design, I increased my depth of knowledge beyond painting. Still, my favorite medium is Acrylic on Canvas. My favorite place to paint is at my dining room table.

What I am most proud of is my keen understanding of how to use color and design a well balanced composition. I can visualize a space and tell someone exactly what they need to fill a wall to bring an interior design concept together.

On May 17, 2024, from 7-9 pm is the opening reception at Gallery 1740 in Atlanta of a group art show featuring 6 artists including myself. The show is called “The Language of Flowers”. There will be food and live music. No need to make reservations. Also, starting in early June, Pit Power Pose, a painting I created, will be duplicated and displayed on banners hanging from light poles around midtown Atlanta.

My work has been featured in private collections and public installations and galleries both nationally and internationally as well as publications like ARTS ATL, Voyage ATL, Barnstorm Journal, and Tampa Bay Magazine.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

The most rewarding aspect of being an artist for me is the confidence I have that I have mastered something in my life. Being able to paint is natural for me, it is like brushing my teeth and washing my hair. I can mix colors to perfection without even thinking about what I am doing. it is almost like the painting gods are guiding me. There is such a power in being able to have an experience, see something or feel something, then react by putting it on canvas or paper. I have loved filling my home and other peoples’ homes with my creations. Being able to look at the wall around me and see my artwork fills my heart and soul with so much joy. Painting has been great therapy for me as well. Painting has also taught me discipline and helped to shape my personality. Mastering one’s art is like no other feeling in the world!

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

I have many goals and missions driving my creative journey. I enjoy challenging myself to grow and evolve in my work. I have been through many different phases in my creative journey.

While getting through graduate school, my mission was to create work based on the concept of how we sugar coat things in society to do things and value things that we should not prioritize. My work for two years came from that place. Once I completed graduate school, I continued to make work based on my every day life going on walks outside and appreciating the world around me, then I created series of work from different times and places to emerge as series. My goals and missions change on a regular basis.

At one point during the pandemic, I wanted to master portrait painting. I created many portraits for many people. It was a way to get through a tough time in my life, by making special work for other people. I am interested in creating series of works around different themes. For several months, I created work around a zebra theme. That work became a section on my website with a story going through it about why zebras are such awesome animals. Then I created different series around flowers and colors. A gut feeling is always driving me to create. I am not someone who ever runs out of ideas. I have so many ideas, it is difficult for me to stop, ever.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.abigailchasemiller.com
• Instagram: abigailchasemiller