Artist bio and artist statement
Artist bio
Born and raised in the area known as the Quad Cites - a group of cities on the Mississippi
River, bridging Illinois and Iowa - Miller grew up enjoying pencil drawing, painting, sculpture
and later, stained glass work. Working in the advertising and marketing field, Miller was
fortunate to be in the business of "being creative." She developed her skills in design,
copywriting, photography, and set design. The last few years she has focused on a
combination of her passions - a love for fiber and contemporary art. Married with one child,
she lives in eastern Iowa and continues to pursue outlets for her work throughout the country.
Artist statement
By using a mosaic technique, I feel I give expression to the things I see in the world. Even with
all of today's imperfection and chaos, I seek out beauty and grace in the everyday. I believe
there will always be an amazing balance between confusion and hope -- and I want the
viewer to feel that connection through my fragmented images.
Artist bio
Born and raised in the area known as the Quad Cites - a group of cities on the Mississippi
River, bridging Illinois and Iowa - Miller grew up enjoying pencil drawing, painting, sculpture
and later, stained glass work. Working in the advertising and marketing field, Miller was
fortunate to be in the business of "being creative." She developed her skills in design,
copywriting, photography, and set design. The last few years she has focused on a
combination of her passions - a love for fiber and contemporary art. Married with one child,
she lives in eastern Iowa and continues to pursue outlets for her work throughout the country.
Artist statement
By using a mosaic technique, I feel I give expression to the things I see in the world. Even with
all of today's imperfection and chaos, I seek out beauty and grace in the everyday. I believe
there will always be an amazing balance between confusion and hope -- and I want the
viewer to feel that connection through my fragmented images.
| What is fiber mosaic art? |
| All rights reserved. Each original work is protected by copyright and belong to the artist. Designs may not be reproduced or copied. |
My process *More art at bottom of page!
Mosaic art is centuries old and originally created using ceramic, stone or glass tesserae.
Used for decorative purposes, mosaic work can be found worldwide. My fiber mosaic work
reflects traditional mosaic design but is created with fabrics. Each fabric is chosen for color,
texture and appropriateness to the subject. All pieces are hand-cut and individually pieced,
therefore, no two finished designs are identical.
In the piece shown below, I first completed a drawing of the subject. During this stage, I also
drew each individual mosaic piece. The design was redrawn onto a transfer medium and
fused onto my fabric choices. Next, I did the cutting and piecing, using my original drawing as
guide. During this step, I may change or add new fabrics if I feel a piece needs it. After all
pieces are in place, the final ironing was done before being mounted for framing. This piece,
"Coat of Many Colors", took over 30 hours to create.
Mosaic art is centuries old and originally created using ceramic, stone or glass tesserae.
Used for decorative purposes, mosaic work can be found worldwide. My fiber mosaic work
reflects traditional mosaic design but is created with fabrics. Each fabric is chosen for color,
texture and appropriateness to the subject. All pieces are hand-cut and individually pieced,
therefore, no two finished designs are identical.
In the piece shown below, I first completed a drawing of the subject. During this stage, I also
drew each individual mosaic piece. The design was redrawn onto a transfer medium and
fused onto my fabric choices. Next, I did the cutting and piecing, using my original drawing as
guide. During this step, I may change or add new fabrics if I feel a piece needs it. After all
pieces are in place, the final ironing was done before being mounted for framing. This piece,
"Coat of Many Colors", took over 30 hours to create.
Piecing process from early stages and then nearing completion
Exhibits, shows and commissions
List of exhibitions
CASI, Davenport, Iowa 2008 - solo show
DeWitt Fine Arts Foundation, Opera House, DeWitt, Iowa 2008 - solo show
FIGGE Art Museum, Davenport, Iowa, faculty exhibition 2007
i wireless Center, Moline, MidCoast Fine Arts, 2007 - solo show
Quad City Botanical Center, Rock Island, Illinois 2007 - solo show
Maple City Fine Arts, Geneseo, Illinois 2007
Left Bank Art Gallery, 2006-2007
MidCoast Fine Arts, Gallery West, Rock Island, Illinois 2006
MidCoast Fine Arts, Adler Theatre, Davenport, Iowa 2006
Quad City Arts, "The Artist in You" 2006
Venus Envy, Quad Cities, 2006
Rock Island Fine Arts Exhibition, Illinois 2004
MidCoast Fine Arts, The Mark of the Quad Cities, Moline 2004
Maple City Fine Arts, Geneseo, Illinois 2003
Reher Gallery, Moline Public Library, Illinois 2003 - solo show
MidCoast Fine Arts, Centre Station Gallery, Moline 2003
Borders, Davenport, Iowa 2001- solo show
Art fairs
Riverssance Fine Arts fair (juried show), Davenport, Iowa 2003-2005
Left Bank Art League spring show (juried show) , Moline, Illinois 2002-2004
DeWitt Fine Arts Festival, DeWitt, Iowa 2004, 2006
Art in the Park (juried show), Clinton, Iowa 2001, 2004
Beaux Arts (juried show), Davenport, Iowa 2000-2001
Galleries
Quad City Arts gallery, 2005-current
Left Bank Art Gallery, 2005-current
Four Hands online gallery, 2004-current
Artists and Authors, Perry, Iowa 2004
Nomadix, Village of East Davenport, Iowa 2000-2002
WaterFront Gallery, LeClaire, Iowa 2000-2001
Commission work
Trinity West Campus, chapel, Rock Island, Illinois 2005
Numerous private individual commissions
List of exhibitions
CASI, Davenport, Iowa 2008 - solo show
DeWitt Fine Arts Foundation, Opera House, DeWitt, Iowa 2008 - solo show
FIGGE Art Museum, Davenport, Iowa, faculty exhibition 2007
i wireless Center, Moline, MidCoast Fine Arts, 2007 - solo show
Quad City Botanical Center, Rock Island, Illinois 2007 - solo show
Maple City Fine Arts, Geneseo, Illinois 2007
Left Bank Art Gallery, 2006-2007
MidCoast Fine Arts, Gallery West, Rock Island, Illinois 2006
MidCoast Fine Arts, Adler Theatre, Davenport, Iowa 2006
Quad City Arts, "The Artist in You" 2006
Venus Envy, Quad Cities, 2006
Rock Island Fine Arts Exhibition, Illinois 2004
MidCoast Fine Arts, The Mark of the Quad Cities, Moline 2004
Maple City Fine Arts, Geneseo, Illinois 2003
Reher Gallery, Moline Public Library, Illinois 2003 - solo show
MidCoast Fine Arts, Centre Station Gallery, Moline 2003
Borders, Davenport, Iowa 2001- solo show
Art fairs
Riverssance Fine Arts fair (juried show), Davenport, Iowa 2003-2005
Left Bank Art League spring show (juried show) , Moline, Illinois 2002-2004
DeWitt Fine Arts Festival, DeWitt, Iowa 2004, 2006
Art in the Park (juried show), Clinton, Iowa 2001, 2004
Beaux Arts (juried show), Davenport, Iowa 2000-2001
Galleries
Quad City Arts gallery, 2005-current
Left Bank Art Gallery, 2005-current
Four Hands online gallery, 2004-current
Artists and Authors, Perry, Iowa 2004
Nomadix, Village of East Davenport, Iowa 2000-2002
WaterFront Gallery, LeClaire, Iowa 2000-2001
Commission work
Trinity West Campus, chapel, Rock Island, Illinois 2005
Numerous private individual commissions
Artist publicity and appearances
North Scott Press article, February 20, 2008
The Observer article, February 16, 2008
"The Creators" segment, WQPT Public Television, 2005
"Art with Mr. I" segment, educational video with Ralph Iaccarino, 2005
Quad City Times article, May 12, 2005
Artwork used for Blue Christmas Hop!, The District, Rock Island, 2006
Quad City Times article, December 3, 2006
Paula Sands Live appearances 2003, 2004, 2007
North Scott Press article, February 20, 2008
The Observer article, February 16, 2008
"The Creators" segment, WQPT Public Television, 2005
"Art with Mr. I" segment, educational video with Ralph Iaccarino, 2005
Quad City Times article, May 12, 2005
Artwork used for Blue Christmas Hop!, The District, Rock Island, 2006
Quad City Times article, December 3, 2006
Paula Sands Live appearances 2003, 2004, 2007
Images above (left to right)
Top row: 'Red Daisy' ($95), 'Happy Swinging Dog' ($45), 'Star Heart' ($30), 'Reaching 5' ($165),
'Leaves and Vines' ($80)
Bottom Row: (all from fruits and veggies series- $25 to $45 depending on size) 'Big Banana', 'Blueberry Box',
'Teacher's Apple', 'Fat Bottomed Pear', 'Crop of Carrots' and 'Red Hot Chili Peppers'
Top row: 'Red Daisy' ($95), 'Happy Swinging Dog' ($45), 'Star Heart' ($30), 'Reaching 5' ($165),
'Leaves and Vines' ($80)
Bottom Row: (all from fruits and veggies series- $25 to $45 depending on size) 'Big Banana', 'Blueberry Box',
'Teacher's Apple', 'Fat Bottomed Pear', 'Crop of Carrots' and 'Red Hot Chili Peppers'
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