Steve Miller

Art has always been a big part of my life. When I look at a piece that I have just finished, I sometimes can’t believe that I did it. I thrive on that feeling and it makes me want to create more. I am inspired by the nature and wildlife of the Kane area and my little house in the woods, both conducive to creating art. The creative process may involve pictures taken by me or may arise from my imagination and interpretation of what I observe in nature or every day life.

Although I draw in a realistic manner, the creative process may involve photos and arises from my imagination and interpretation of what I observe. Besides nature, I do custom work and love drawing antique cars, homes and barns. When doing custom work, I meet with my client to understand what is being requested and to gather facts and information. Often the client wants to recreate a scene or event from the past and I seem to have an uncanny talent for adding things to the work that may very well have been there but weren’t conveyed to me by the client.

Some of my work comes from my imagination or memory and getting “in my zone”. I always lay out my image with focal points on mat board or drawing paper (acid-free) by sketching shapes and proportions. After the sketch I work from top to bottom in drawing the details. Sometimes I add color using pastels, colored pencil or watercolor. I also work with pen and ink. Then I carefully mat and frame and install wire for hanging. I work multiple pieces at any given time.  I am self taught and was drawing pictures before I learned to write. Some of my first real art efforts were airbrushing vans, motorcycles. I attribute my success as an artist to the encouragement and support of the original Kane Art League twenty five years ago when I felt I wasn’t good enough.