We caught up with the brilliant and insightful EMILY MILLER a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi EMILY, thanks for joining us today. It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.

When I was in my senior year of high school, I had really began pushing my business, Emily Miller Arts, and wanted to pursue it full time. While all my friends were applying to college, I was at a crossroads. Do I apply to college and go because that’s what everyone, especially my parents, expect me to do? Or do I follow my heart and my dreams and go full throttle on my business? To most, this seems like it would be a difficult decision, but for me, I didn’t even have to think twice about it. Telling my mom I didn’t want to go to college was no problem, she has always been a very creative person and wanted me to follow my heart. My dad was a little more difficult. He was set on the fact that you need a degree in your back pocket, especially for “plan B”, a plan every single person thought I should have. After months of convincing, and missing literally all my deadlines to apply to college, we made a deal. If I could prove to him within a year that I can make this art thing work, I’m off the hook. He fully believed in my ability and supported my every move, as did my mom. It’s funny, the reactions adults give a kid when they say they aren’t going to college. “You need a degree for the future, this may not work out you always need a plan B.” I never let this get in my head or make me regret my decision, because A, I completely disagree, and B, it made me want to work harder and prove them all wrong. I have, and will always, stick by the fact that if you pursue something wholeheartedly and put your everything into it, you cannot fail. Most saw me not going to college was a risk, especially not having an established business under my belt yet, but it was the best decision I have ever made. I am 18 and I am selling my art to clients worldwide and expanding my business at an exceptional rate.

EMILY, 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 an 18 year old artist born and raised in Miami Florida. Growing up, I always preferred arts and crafts over video games, and doodling over paying attention in class. Entering my first year of high school, I took her first art class and fell in love. In between playing varsity water polo and modeling, I knew art was the path I wanted to follow. During quarantine, I decided to take the time to explore my newfound passion, and from that point forward, it flourished. I started by doing custom pieces for my friends for $50 – $100, and I am now selling my art to clients worldwide. Upon graduating high school, I took the non traditional route and decided against college. My art career was taking off and I proved to my parents that I was hard working and determined enough to make it as a professional artist. This journey is still just beginning. This is my second year selling my artwork and I have completed 3 solo gallery exhibitions, 3 satellite art Basel events, 2 art festivals, and two group shows. This is only the beginning of Emily Miller’s career, and it is growing quickly. I am most proud of my drive and work ethic. My main message now and moving forward is to prove that you do not have to be a certain age to follow your dreams, and you don’t need a degree under your belt to be successful. Life is what you make it, and if you have a passion, pursue it. My work is greatly inspired by the human body, specifically the female body. I love to incorporate a story into each subject I paint through the body language and use of color.

We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?

Social media can be a huge factor these days in the success of a small business. Because I’m young, I really understand social media and I more or less grew up with it through my teenage years. I decided to start by focusing on two platforms, Instagram and Tik Tok. I constantly upload content and make sure to really show my personality to set myself apart from the rest. It is so important to follow current trends and really push your brand. It is never too much. I can post the same video three times on tik tok, one video might get 100 views and the second might get 100 thousand views. Consistency is key. Staying up to date with trends is key. And most importantly, show off the part of yourself and your business that you want everyone to remember you by.

In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?

Art is expensive, you can never expect everyone to be able to buy your original work. In this case, the best way for society to support artists is to follow them on socials, like their content, and share it with their friends. By doing this, the algorithm will push the content to more and more people who will hopefully do the same.

Contact Info:

• Website: emilymillerarts.com
• Instagram: emilymillerarts
• Other: tik tok: emilymillerarts