We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Amy S. Miller. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Amy S. below.

Amy, appreciate you joining us today. What’s been one of the most interesting investments you’ve made – and did you win or lose? (Note, these responses are only intended as entertainment and shouldn’t be construed as investment advice)

The best investments I’ve made have been in education. I’ve learned that I am one of those people that just loves exploring and learning how to do things whether art related or not. It all becomes tools in my toolbelt. So whether it’s been foundations laid in formal education or the YouTube video I watched on how to change the cabin air filter in my car, it has all a valuable investment in myself.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I feel like my work reaches into so many different facets and disciplines which makes it hard to outline everything in a handful of words. Regarding my oil paintings, I have a degree in interior design and have my EDAC certification in the application of evidence-based design in the building of interior environments, particularly in healthcare environments. I find this greatly influences and informs technical and creative choices I make in my narrative paintings. Having learned to manage anxiety and depression from an early age, my work now explores my own power to reframe narrative and reclaim memories. Dynamic compositions of animals and figures in hyper-romanticized worlds gain personal meaning during my creative process, yet they maintain an ambiguous narrative reflective of an interior world which leaves space for another individual’s interpretation of my work.

I also do a lot of illustration work such as book illustrations and whimsical stickers and notecards featuring creative puns. This work is largely about spreading joy and bringing smiles to people’s faces. I also love doing custom work such as pet portraits, murals and anything that involves creative problem solving.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

I had to unlearn that it’s nearly impossible to make a living/ have a career in the arts. In general, our education system tends to pigeon-hole students on perceived aptitudes. I was a “high achiever” in school and while I wasn’t discouraged from creative endeavors the career possibilities in those fields weren’t given. I was highly encouraged towards classes and careers in medicine, engineering, law, business, etc. The fact of the matter is, the arts contribute around a trillion dollars to the US GDP. That is more than fields like construction, transportation, mining and agriculture. It took me two lay-offs to learn that job security, even in “practical” fields, is not guaranteed. It wasn’t until several years later that I realized at every turn of my life I was making or creating something and creating was what I truly enjoyed doing. I have found the possibilities in the arts are continually growing and that there are so many ways to acquire and apply knowledge, and skills. Pair that with passion, determination and a strong work ethic and success will follow.

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

Not to over simplify, but best way to support us is to buy our work. Whether it’s a physical work of art or a ticket to a performance, your purchase shows your support on multiple levels. It not only reinforces that you see in value in our work, but also in our ability to create it. Beyond that, needs are different for every creative and can change over time, so just ask us. Maybe it’s an introduction or connection we need to make. Maybe we just need your presence at an event to encourage us. Maybe we need you to share and like and comment on our social media posts so the algorithms will show our posts to new audiences. Tell us you believe in what we are doing.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.millerartcreative.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/millerartcreative
• Facebook: https://facebook.com/millerartcreative
• Linkedin: https://linkedin.com/in/amy-miller-art-creative/
• Other: https://tiktok.com/@millerartcreative