Reflections

It is that time of year that I take time to reflect. Reflect on how the last year went, what I want for the new year, and where am I on this road filled with art.

What does it mean to be an artist?

I remember when I first started it was very hard to even call or define myself as an artist. Now I wonder what does this label mean? I create. I see things differently. Who decides that your an artist? Do you decide or does the people who view your art decide? Do you let critics decide? curators? fans? friends & family? teachers?

All I know is that I started being an artist as a way to communicate... the same reason I blog... the same reason I paint... the same reason I take pictures... the same reason I create art digitally... the same reason I create DIFFA jackets... the same reason I write... the same reason I draw... the same reason I discuss my art... the same reason I collaborate with other artists... the same reason I show my art... the same reason I think...

... and I dance for the pure joy of it. (the best time when I am alone dancing around my studio).

Before the new year... take a moment and reflect.

I have alot to be grateful for (my health), thankful for (my patrons), angry about (end this war!), love (family, friends, and co-workers), think about (what, who, when, how, why).

P.A.C.E. FORWARD

Copyright 2007 William H. Miller All Rights Reserved

Merry Christmas

A simple message to everyone to enjoy their friends and family during the holidays and coming new year. P.A.C.E.

Camel Rides, Shows & Beach

Here is the picture of Mom & Dad on their first camel ride. Everyone should do this at least once in their lifetime. They took the ride up the side of a volcano in Lanzarot.

Last evening we headed to the Alabama Theatre to see the Christmas Spectacular.

And during a day of shopping I took time out to visit the beach and take some pictures. It was a beautiful day around 70 degrees. Today is more Christmas shopping - coming home to Turkey dinner.

Happy Holidays from Myrtle Beach!



Copyright 2007 William H Miller All Rights Reserved

Welcome Back

Mom & Dad return to the States today on from their cruise in the Mediterrean and across the Atlantic --- I created this image based originally on a cruise ship. I am excited to hear their stories of their adventures. Hopefully a pose of them on camels will be on the blog soon.



Copyright 2007 William H Miller All Rights Reserved

Thought from the city

I started my day out taking a picture of the skyline and the clouds & sun which reminded me of a thought bubble. Later on the same drive to my corporate job, I was at a stoplight and saw a homeless man in a wheelchair on the corner. It made me think about him, obviously the thoughts of him at the start of my day did not leave me when I traveled home. He was no longer on the corner where I saw him earlier that day. It inspired me to create this image from the pictures I took. The city of Houston thinking "Homeless in Houston for the Holidays". If you can give to the Homeless Shelter in your city...and maybe we will can change the thought regarding homeless in your city.

Star of Hope

Copyright 2007 William H Miller All Rights Reserved

Open Sky

The last week, I spent time on planes. It is amazing to fly above the clouds. I often wonder what it must be like to go above the sky into the atmosphere like the astronauts do. It is also that time of year where I make planned time to reflect. December 29th it will be one year since I moved to Houston. As as an artist, it was great because I had the good fortune of finding a artist studio, a great place to live, and I could see my dreams unfolding before me. The year was not without it's delimmas. In many ways it was like starting over. I had to find new places to show my art, I had to find new people who enjoyed my art and to buy my art, and to listen to my inner voice and create. The middle of my year was interrupted by life. My illness caused by my gall bladder was a scary time. It stopped everything. I relied on some from my old Dallas support group, I relied on new friends & coworkers in Houston, and my family. So now it is time to revisit the goals that I was not able to accomplish this year, to use P.A.C.E. (positive attitudes change everything) to set my goals for 2008 and to look into my soul and figure out where I want to land.

Here's to sky full of open opportunities.

Copyright 2007 William H Miller All Rights Reserved

Diffa Jacket Finished

In a previous post I showed you the front of the design of my DIFFA Jacket. This is a photo of the back as it was finished.
My models, Karen - eloquently showing off the front of the jacket.

And Cliff showing of his better side, I mean the backside of the jacket.

Now to see it on the runway in 2008!

www.diffadallas.org

Copyright 2007 William H Miller All Rights Reserved

Cookie Bake 2007

We held the 2007 Annual cookie bake/exchange at the Nursing Rehab Center where Jim has been doing his therapy. We each brought cookies for the exchange and shared them with the employees and residents as allowed.
Armando and I both brought our Diffa Jackets to show. Armando, (aka Miss Puerto Rico) has concerned a jealous competitor would try and pepper spray his jacket.
Not sure who he was talking about !
Unfortunately for the paparazzi.
Here is the group of friends that were together this year.

AC3

This weekend I travelled to Dallas for several reasons. This time of year is usually a period of artistic giving back to the community. In past years I participated in events like Art Rage Us, a art event to support AIDS organizations in the community by giving a percentage of the sales of art to them; The Blue Yule, an artistic Christmas ornaments that ar created and donated and the proceeds go to supprt programs at the MAC (Mckinney Avenue Contemporary), a contemporary art museum; and then Art Conspiracy 3. Art Conspiracy is a event that pulls together the creative muses of music and the arts. For more information see the You Tube video in the previous blog entry. This year was special for me since I now live in Houston. I miss many of the artists that I began to bond with as I developed my art business in Dallas, it is hard to be an emerging artist, and many of the artists that I struggle with participate in this event.

This is a piece done by friend, Michael Sowiecki.

This is Sarah Jane working on her usual Photo CD of Art Conspiracy piece.

My friend, Robb Greenhoe, created this piece. His work and my piece were both by the same woman.

Robb's Partner, Al Glover created this piece.

Here are some more pieces, Jennifer Morgan's Bird & Leopard piece almost broke the $700 price point during the auction.

The next three images are my 3 favorites. This is done by friend, Erica Felicella, who was also the Art Coordinator for the event.

This piece was a favorite because of the words. It was done by comic book artist, David Hopkins. I tried to buy it but had to stop myself when the bidding reached $200.

This was another favorite and inspirational. It was created by friend, Jim Frederick.

Jim has had a year filled with complications and has been in and out of the hospital, rehab centers, and has been currently during rehab at the nursing home & rehab center called the Madison on Marsh. I brought Jim his 18"x18" board to see if he would be up for creating some art during the planned visit for the annual cookie exhange with his friends. He was excited and up for the challenge.
Like the other artists' he created his piece in under 3 hours. He used store bought kids paints, a cup, a knife, his sleeve to create the finished piece. On the back he wrote his signature statement - "I can only do what I can do"

I was able to deliver his piece to the event before the last auction. I and others were emotionally moved to have his participation. They started the bidding for his special piece at $100, it was the last piece auctioned that night and it sold to collectors of Jim's work for $250. The money raised for this event when to support St. Anthony's Community Center. They serve over 800 children in the community and put emphasis on after shool arts & music programs.

This was my finished piece.

Copyright 2007 William H Miller All Rights Reserved. All artwork pictured Copyright of the respective artist noted.

What is Art Conspiracy?

Selling Art

I checked on my art at the Bering & James box show and when I arrived I was delighted to see the RED DOT.

All these pieces were bought by the same couple for their staircase. My piece is the large vertical piece in browns in the center of the cluster.

This weekend was also the Winter Sale at Winter Street Studios, and several of my pieces sold at this event as well. What makes it even better is developing the comarderie with the other artists and meeting new patrons who appreciate your art.
Mom & Dad left for Spain today to board a cruise of the mediterrean for 3 weeks. I will talk and see them again at Christmas. I expect to hear great stories and pictures of them on camels.

Copyright 2007 William H Miller All Rights Reserved

Happy 70th Birthday Mom!

Here is you at your high school graduation! You are celebrating a new type of milestone today! 70 years --- (they say it's the new 50)!

You raised two imps! Somehow - you wouldn't know we were such angels from this picture!

You taught me about creating art, and putting it on the street for everyone to see (and buy!). It must have made an impression on me.

Allentown Art Festival in Buffalo, NY in the 60s

Showcasing the Dot Miller art collection.

And then another of my favorite pictures. Happy Birthday Mom!

Copyright 2007 William H Miller All Rights Reserved

Busy Days & Nights at the Studio

This is the front of my DIFFA jacket this year. The event will be held in February 2008. This year's theme is The Cinema of Life. I created this jacket based on my favorite movie the Wizard of Oz. The front is all done with sepia tones, digital photos from the movie and the words: fortune, twister, HOME, far far away.


I created some smaller works in the studio getting ready for the next weekend's Winter Sale at Winter Street. These pieces will all sell for under $100. This piece is called "The Dance" and is 9"x12".
This piece is 12"x12", and it called Urbanscape"
This piece is 8"x10" and is "Untitled".

This is a three pieces that can be sold seperately or together. Each one is 4"x5". The reminder me of the book "The Little Prince" and the planet with rocks.



Copyright 2007 William H Miller All Rights Reserved

Leftovers

Today I spent time getting back to creating. I created in the studio, I created at home on the computer, I created my idea for the Diffa jacket, and I created my spirit.

It was a good day to myself. I am looking forward to some reading, some movies, and some turkey.

Copyright 2007 William H Miller All Rights Reserved

Happy Turkey

Happy Thanksgiving to All My Blog Readers!

I give thanks for your continued interest in my daily adventures in the world of art and life.

Thank you
Billy

Black Tie

This past weekend was Black Tie in Dallas. My friend, Karen, was looking very fabulous! You go girl!

ViaColori and the rain

ViaColori, the street painting festival, started out dry.

Beginning sketches started the morning off.
Colors were bright, the skies were cloudy.








Direct Energy was the sponsor for my 10'x10' square. It benefitted the Center for Hearing & Speech.

Filling in took time between taking plastic on and off. This is what I was able to accomplish on Saturday.
It is a Bronco Rider.
This is my sketch.

The piece is protected as I could make it with a plastic tarp, cardboard, and duck tape. Tonight it is raining hard. I wonder what it will this might look like tomorrow, and even if we will get to finish the pieces. Either way it is alot of fun to meet the other artists and see the streets come to life as a living art gallery.

And yes, my parents finally got there luggage. Uncle Skip & Ina came to visit and even negiotiated the heavy Houston traffic a few times.

Copyright 2007 William H Miller All Rights Reserved