Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Rachel Miller. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Alright, Rachel thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?
I’ve worked a lot of jobs, and I know a lot of people don’t like their job but I was really suffering. What made it more frustrating is I knew more artistic and creative jobs were available but I at that time I couldn’t find one that fit me. In 2020 I decided that I was going to try selling my artwork anyway. I would get on YouTube after work and watch hours and hours of videos. Then I started my Etsy. I tried to get in on ‘the selling digital products’ bandwagon that everyone was on at that time and because the market was so saturated by the time I started I got swallowed up by the competition. I may have sold 5 things, thanks to my family and friends for those sells. You would think after that I would have given up but no after I’d dipped my feet in I wanted to see how far I could go. After a few setbacks and pivots, I’m still going today.
Rachel , 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?
Hi! My name is Rachel Miller also know as R.M.Miller Art. I am a semi self taught illustrator with an emphasis on cartoon/anime style. I grew up around anime and fantasy elements and I always had a love for art so I smashed them together and my art style is the result. I’ve always been interested in arts and crafts from a young age and now I get to share this particular interest with others. I started selling paintings early as high school but I didn’t get serious about it until 2020. I was working in retail and I wanted to leave. I knew I could sell my artwork but I didn’t know the ins and outs of business, I still don’t but I have a better grasp of it now. After some setbacks and a necessity move I learned about markets. I’ve been selling my art(art prints, stickers, coloring books and an art book) in and around Jackson, Mississippi for a little over a year now. My 1 year anniversary was on July the 16th of this year. Selling in markets has really been my gateway into letting people know who I am and what I have to offer.
I am a stereotypical artist/introvert so selling things face to face with people was terrifying at first, but I knew I needed to do it. Now I’m so happy that I did! I’m still a very small name but I’ve accomplished so many things since that first year. I got a mini grant from the Mississippi Arts Commission, I’ve been able to make an artbook showcasing some of my favorite digital artworks.
I am very passionate about representation for odd and quirky Black girls, because I am one. When I was younger I noticed the things that I loved and the way I looked never really fit together, so I made it a mission of mine to marry the two. Now a days there is way more representation for Black women that love anime and fantasy and I’m glad that I have tiny foot hold in that.
What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?
Taking art seriously is one of the most important things that society as a whole can do. None of the disrespectful actions that have been taken against art recently would be happening if people just took art seriously.
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?
I love being able to envision something in my mind and in a matter of hours have it on a page. I also love being able to take said thing on that page and with the click of a button be able to share it with anyone.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://rmmiller489.wixsite.com/rachel
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kokejin/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rmmillerart/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@r.m.miller
- Other: https://koji.to/RMMillerArt
Image Credits
R.M.Miller