We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Ivan Miller. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Ivan below.
Ivan, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Let’s start with the story of your mission. What should we know?
I created Eclectic Shades Magazine to include all. My goal is to cross culture lines and get an understanding of each other to bring us closer. Growing up and Asheville, NC I always had a desire to learn from different cultures. I went to a private school growing up, and at my school we had students from all over the world and it just amazed me as a child to learn from so many different cultures.
In this day in time, it is so important to keep us learning from one another and showing a true spirit of love and acceptance. My magazine Eclectic Shades is the meaning behind the name. I feature those who care about the lives, the art, the music, and everyday lifestyles of different cultures.
Love accepts and includes.
Ivan, 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?
I am from Asheville, NC where I attended a private school, during that time I learned about different cultures. I always had an eye for art. I took photography in high school, was the Chorus President, and also took theater classes. I am also a disabled veteran serving in the US Army for 6 years. While in the military I did get a chance to sing in quartet group. After service I moved to Austin, TX and immediately got into commercial work with K-Hall talent agency, auditioned and performed in stage play at the Paramount Theater called “Precious Lord”, soon after that I started attending poetry slams and started writing and performing. I have published two books of poetry, “Nightdreams and Daymares” and “Love Language”. I was so excited to have my first book signing at Barnes and Nobles. Soon after that, I sung lead in a band called “Soul Sessions” in which we performed the old greats like James Brown, Otis Redding, and many other hits. I always from a youth enjoyed foreign films, which sparked my interest in photography, just from the way they were filmed. I started working with a friend of mine who got me really started in finding my eye in photographer, and from there I was hooked shooting fashion and street photography. I started my magazine Eclectic Shade Magazine to bring cultures and people together soon after that. My goal is all about love and sharing that love through the arts. You can find me on IG @eclecticshadesmagazine, @ivanmiller_photography and my website www.eclecticshadesmagazine.com
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
When starting the magazine, I did everything by myself, teaching myself Indesign, taking all of the photos and formatting the magazine. I also had magazine release party that I put together. After the release party people came to me wanting to join me and form a team. When we started as a team, it was great until the person that I taught took my teachings and left and started her on magazine and left me cold. I was so hurt but I did not give up, it just made me go back to doing everything myself. I continued on and I had put together a fashion show for my next issue. It was a great success. I had to bounce back and continue my vision to spread love and diversity through Eclectic Shades Magazine.
What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?
The mission is to bring different cultures together to learn from each other through art, music, and business. This is how we as a people need to survive. I truly believe in together we stand and divided we fall. Let’s stand
Contact Info:
- Website: www.eclecticshadesmagazine.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/eclecticshadesmagazine and www.instagram.com/ivanmiller_photography
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/ivanmillerphotos
- Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/imiko-millerartist
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/EclecticSMag
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJ-ReABOJb8gFxSHm94NBsw