Category: Mass Ave Starbucks Show

“This lively and dynamic painting summons the viewer to explore his own energy of creation and posturing. Seeking self-awareness, the figure in Beginning of Something Organic is unafraid to confront the ways we present ourselves to our world(s). The figure invites you: “Pose in a mirror. Watch your reflection from different angles but always see the true nature. Acknowledge the Battle of Perception.” In a safe, warm arrangement of natural hues and organic, stirring shapes, this painted creature allows for the paradoxes of self—the outer shell we display in our daily, mundane interactions and the inner, sacred sanctuary of identity, both of which coexist seamlessly.” -Interpretation by Heather John

Artist Statement:

I hold this piece up at different angles every time I view it. It’s a perspective piece. The figure sitting in a chair, not quite human, not even quite animal, shifts on a stool to pose – it tries to please to viewer but instead is a bit awkward and perhaps even a bit unnerving.

Medium: Watercolor
Art Dimensions: 7″x9″
Frame: 11.25″X13″
Gallery Framed and Matted
Certificate of Authenticity Provided at time of Purchase
Price: $260.00

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“In this beautiful array of flesh and shadows, Miller captures a mysterious transformation. The subject is straining to change without losing its many layers of self, which range from freshly-born nuances to decaying, unnecessary appendages. The shadows of the jagged earth below the figure are contrary to the bright, golden hue of the sky, suggesting an element of hope in this work of fearful but brave (perhaps even necessary) revolution, conversion, and formation. Nurturing a call to empathy and reflection, Miller’s work incites the viewer’s mind to consider with compassion the inner struggles and humanity of each individual drop in the bucket of humanity.” Interpretation by Heather John

Artist’s Statement

In my life, I had been fortunate to not know much death. Not until my early thirties did I experience the death of a very close relative. The pain one experiences is unlike any other in life. It’s a raw feeling – like you’re emotionally turned inside-out. But we must come to terms with the inevitable – we all must die. Death is natural. If you’ve experience the loss of a very closed loved one, you may be particularly empathetic with the turmoil this piece produces.

Ironically, this painting brings me peace. It’s a reminder to live life to the fullest.

Medium: Watercolor and Charcoal
Art Dimensions: 10″ x 15″
Frame: 16″ x 21″
Price: $310 (matted & framed)

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“The rough edges and soft lines of the main figure of Sprout evoke a sense of organic mayhem, while the strictly geometric shadows remind the viewer of its firm place in this flat world. The blurry, rough background of this work suggests a place of chaos, while the angular subject anchors itself in shadows with the intention of creation, perhaps in spite of the coarse and bleak elements of its environment. The playful growth on the top of the cubist figure’s head evokes an element of joy in trepidation, careful exploration under duress, and extending the barriers of self to create something new. Something tiny and timid, but something unique. Something that might eventually bring color to a colorless void.”

Medium: Charcoal
Art Dimensions: 8.25″ x 9.75″
Frame: 13.5″ x 14″
Price: $205 (matted & framed)

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“The minimal palette of this work highlights the artist’s interpretation of isolation. The line between an object with emotion and a creature with a mechanical purpose is blurred. The environment of Figure suggests a corner or a turn in a hallway, indicating that the action of the work might hinge on a decision, while the central focus remains on a subject that seems to be eternally waiting. Waiting for a purpose or a permanent home—and perhaps the two concepts are opposite sides of the same coin. The negative space in the background of the composition invites the viewer to imagine what this figure/object might be longing for or what activity it could be suited for, as the humanity of the central figure feels fragile but determined.” Interpretation by Heather John

Medium: Watercolor
Art Dimensions: 15.5″ x 10.5″
Frame: 20″ x 16.5″
Price: $305

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“Evoking a parade, a chaotic whirl of flesh and motion highlights the similarities in what is organic but still mechanical. This vibrant work is an evaluation of the flesh as machine and the machine as something familiar and intuitive. On an apocalyptic horizon, in the Nowhere Land of the future, animal, man, and machine morph into more than the sum of their parts in a dervish of celebratory life—animation in a landscape where there might otherwise be none.” Interpretation by Heather John

Artist’s Statement

Inspired by paintings by famous artists like Rene Magritte, Salvador Dali, and Pablo Picasso, I wanted to illustrate the suffocating effect stress has on my own body and mind. This surreal and somewhat cubist painting illustrated how structure surrounding a man can also be the source of great chaos. The animals and organic shapes juxtapose the structure – as if to say “nature of human stress response also is not helping.”

Medium: Watercolor
Price: Not for Sale

“This charcoal work is a study of introspection through a stream of consciousness, free-form approach to sketching. Presenting a sentiment of objectivity and self-reflection, this piece personifies the calm mind reaching for reason. Symbolizing an acknowledgment of the unknowable, Miller’s drawing can be interpreted as something unnerving or it can inspire a visceral sense of curiosity. The simple pose of the subject’s face reflects a moment in time, when the viewer can relate to the artist’s search for clarity in identity, which he recognizes as a confluence of both circumstance and choice.” Interpretation by Heather John

Medium: Charcoal
Art Dimensions: 9″ x 10″
Frame: 13.5″ x 14″
Price: $210

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“This highly personal painting showcases a dichotomy of emotion—placid exterior juxtaposed with existential angst, the passion for productive thought, and the subject’s effort to contain his awareness of self and environment. Colors range from realistic flesh tones to extremely raw and pulsating. The symbolic, angular lines dictate a range of constructive ideas, while the inner turmoil of the subject is shown as pure, without geometry. A close-up view into the inner world of this subject inspires a feeling of discomfort, but also intimacy and intrigue.” Interpretation by Heather John

Medium: Watercolor
Art Dimensions: 9.5″ x 7.25″
Frame: 15″ x 19″
Price: $325 (Matted & Framed)
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