About the Artist

Lori Miller was born and raised in the Quad City area of Iowa and Illinois on the Mississippi.  A graduate of Marycrest College in Davenport, Iowa, Miller has developed her unique style and is largely self-taught.  Working in this media for over twenty-six years, she continues to explore new techniques. Currently, her work incorporates fabric and metal, rock or other found objects. Many of these mosaic compositions feature an interpretation of geological shapes and relationships. These abstract works capture the beauty found in natural formations and the effect of natural phenomena or man-created residue.

 

 “Why fabric?  I embrace the variety fabric provides in color, texture and form. Just like a traditional painter, I work with my medium to explore subjects and communicate ideas. Fiber offers texture to a work and adds an exciting dimension.  Over the last several years, I have been fascinated with incorporating even more texture to my work by using repurposed materials - junk I may find on the ground or perhaps a beautiful minutia of nature.

 

Years ago, I combined my love of fabric with my experience in creating stained glass work. I created my mosaic style by taking a subject and drawing out each individual mosaic to develop a pattern.  As I matured with that process, I moved to working organically without a precise drawing, instead cutting each piece as I develop the work. Time-consuming, but the final work is highly detailed and allows me more painterly options in shadowing, texture and form.”

CV

Lori A. Miller (b. 1960) is an Iowa artist, educated at the former Marycrest College, Davenport, Iowa. She is passionate about the mosaic style of art creating her own interpretation using fabrics. Miller teaches classes in her technique and regularly gives presentations for art groups and area high schools. Her work is part of the permanent collections of both individuals and commercial institutions. Miller’s work is also included in the permanent collections of Carl Sandburg College, the University of Iowa Hospitals and Trinity Medical Center (UnityPoint).

Shows/exhibits/galleries:

Naperville Art League, Naperville, IL 2024

Project Art at University of Iowa Hospitals, 2023

Gallery of Contemporary Mosaics, Chicago, IL 2021

Muscatine Art Center, Muscatine, IA 2020

GALEX, Galesburg Civic Art Center, Galesburg, IL 2019, 2018

“Les Petites” show at Bereskin Gallery, Bettendorf, Iowa 2019

Quad City International Airport gallery, Quad City Arts, Moline, IL 2018

MidCoast Gallery West, Rock Island, IL, 2017, 2018

MidCoast Bucktown Gallery, solo show, Davenport, IA, 2012, 2015

Illinois Central College, solo show, Peoria, IL  2015

Iowa State University, Sloss House, 2014

Quad City Arts, “Reigning Cats and Dogs” exhibit, Rock Island, IL - 2013

Iowa Arts Council, Agricultural Art exhibit, 2012, 2013

Quad City Arts, “Contemporary Women” show, Rock Island, IL, 2012

Project Art at University of Iowa Hospitals, Iowa City, IA, 2013

Scott County library, Eldridge, IA, 2011, 2024

Kansas City West Wyandotte Public Library, Kansas City, KS, 2011, 2013, 2023

Shirley Stiles Gallery, Westwood City Hall, Westwood, KS, 2011

Kansas City Main Public Library, Kansas City, KS, 2009, 2017, 2018

Quad City Arts, “Interpretive Dance” exhibit, Rock Island, IL, 2008

FIGGE Art Museum, faculty exhibition, Davenport, IA, 2007

Quad City Botanical Center, Rock Island, IL, 2007

MidCoast Fine Arts, MidCoast Gallery West, Rock Island, IL, 2006, 2012

MidCoast Fine Arts, Adler/River Center gallery, Davenport, IA, 2006, 2009, 2011

Venus Envy, Davenport, IA, 2006, 2008, 2010, 2012

Quad City Arts, “The Artist in You”, Rock Island, IL, 2006, 2009

Riverssance Fine Arts fair, Davenport, IA, 2003-2005

Rock Island Fine Arts Exhibition, Rock Island, IL, 2004

Left Bank Art League spring show, Moline, IL, 2002-2004

DeWitt Fine Arts Festival, DeWitt, IA, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2017

MidCoast Fine Arts, I wireless center, Moline, IL, 2004, 2007

Maple City Fine Arts exhibition, Geneseo, IL, 2003, 2007, 2009

Reher Gallery, Moline Public Library, Moline, IL, 2003

MidCoast Fine Arts, Centre Station Gallery, Moline, IL, 2003, 2010

Nomadix, Davenport, IA, 2000-02

Art in the Park, Clinton, Iowa, 2001, 2004

WaterFront Gallery, LeClaire, Iowa 2000-01

Beaux Arts Fine Arts fair, Davenport, Iowa 2000-01

Other highlights:

2024 - Naperville Art League, "Perfect Imperfection: honorable mention, Naperville, IL

2023, 2021, 2018 – Outlander fan convention instructor, Davenport, IA

2018 - Piece added to Carl Sandburg College permanent collection

2015 - CASI Professional Category, overall first place

2014 - Maple City Art Show, Geneseo, IL, 2nd place overall award

2013 - CASI Professional Category award

2013 - Cloth, Paper, Scissors magazine, artwork included in article

2013 - Iowa Arts Council - Agriculture in Iowa - 1st place

2012 - Iowa Arts Council - Agriculture in Iowa - 2nd place

2009 - Athena Businesswomen's award "Artist of Choice" Quad City Chamber of Commerce

2007, 2003 - Maple City Fine Arts, Geneseo, IL

2005 - "The Creators" segment, WQPT-TV, QC Life and Times

2005 - “Art with Mr. I” video segments, Ralph Iaccarino

2001 award, Festival of Trees, Creative category

2001, 2004, 2010, 2013 - Paula Sands LIVE television appearances

Education:

B.A. Mass Communications, Marycrest College, Davenport, IA (summa cum laude)

A.A. Scott Community College (summa cum laude)

Memberships/affiliations:

Member, American Craft Council, 2001-04, 2013

Member, Left Bank Art League

Certified Marketing Director (CMD), International Council of Shopping Centers

The Art Collective, Quad Cities

Previous related professional experience:

Marketing Director for General Growth Management, Minneapolis. This included visual design, displays, graphic materials and advertisements. I also worked at two malls (Chicago and Minneapolis) to assist in the visual design and displays for these centers’ grand opening events.

Copywriter for Bandag, Inc., Muscatine, Iowa. Editor of Bandagram (dealer publication) responsible for publication layout, editorial copy and some photography.

Silver Oaks Communications, Moline, Illinois. Sales/client relations, production coordination, copywriting and photography assistance. For several years, I worked exclusively on The HON Company account, coordinating projects, copywriting and numerous photo shoots where I acquired props, set styling and photography assistance. Other projects included Deere Pavilion interactive kiosk scripts, Alcoa showcase displays, numerous manuals, brochures, videos and web site scripts for the U.S. Arsenal.

Teaching Experience:

Online Teaching Assistant, Ashford University, 2010-13

Adjunct faculty for Scott Community College 1998

Adjunct faculty for Clinton Community College 1998

FIGGE Art Museum – ongoing adjunct faculty to current Area classes for art groups, high schools

Quad City Botanical Center

Taught for several years as an aerobic instructor at two health clubs

Sunday School and VBS teacher, Our Savior Presbyterian Church, LeClaire, IA