Melissa Miller Artist Bio – Miller’s current work explores the intersection of abstract expressionism and avant-garde calligraphy. Juxtaposing big, bold, buxom brushwork with lyrical, minimalist, line work in nuanced color palettes. She paints in layers of under and overpainting. One can see the evolution of the painting by noticing the texture and underlying brush marks veiled in washes. “I try not to over analyze the elements of the painting but rather respond by using reduction and the miracle of happy accidents to develop into the final composition. I am an action painter, and it shows up in the movement and spontaneity of the brush work.” Melissa Miller (b. 1969, American) finds enchantment in the unknown and sees beauty in the middle space, between the polar extremes of life, in the “grey areas”. “My technique comes from my approach to living. I try to practice responding to the present moment rather than reacting and trying to control the outcome.” Miller started painting in oil at age 4 under the tutelage of her Auntie who was a professional painter. During High School she went on to study drawing and the foundation of art at Parsons School of Design. Her early inspiration was sparked by her exposure to architecture and interior design. She explains, “My mother was an interior designer and during my teenage years I would tear out photos of beautiful architecture and design elements from her ‘Architectural Digest’ and ‘A+D’ magazines. I was fascinated by modern and brutalist architecture as well as minimalistic interior design. That was the beginning of my love for exploring bold contrast and minimalism.” She went on to study at Hobart and William Smith Colleges where she majored in Art History and Studio Art. Miller says, “I remember the first time I saw abstract expressionism paintings, specifically the work of the New York School of painters. Looking at Franz Kline’s work for the first time literally took my breath away.” The 1950’s Abstract genre influenced her early style of painting where she expressed herself in a monochromatic palette focusing on dynamic brushwork and tension between positive and negative space. Post College, Miller moved to New York City where she worked in the Advertising industry for 25 years as a TV commercial producer. Miller says, “I worked at my advertising job by day and painted in my apartment by night.” Her second biggest influence came during an extended film shoot in Tokyo where she was exposed to the work of the Bokujinkai, a group of avant-garde calligraphers from post war Japan. “Seeing Inoue Yuichi’s paintings ignited my passion for large scale abstract calligraphy.” After a successful 25-year career in advertising Miller decided to step away and focus on painting full time. “It had taken years to build up the courage to break out on my own. The tipping point came one day when I heard someone say, ‘Doubt kills dreams faster than failure ever will’. I knew it was now or never, so I took the leap of faith and quit my job. I was ready to nurture my creative talent.