30 Paintings in 30 Days - Day 7

"Rooster 1", 8x10", Acrylic metal gild and oil on canvas, ©VP Miller 

And now for something completely different.

I've had this concept in mind for some time and decided that this 30 paintings in 30 days project would be perfect for experimentation.

I used acrylics, and gold metal gilding and painted with oils over it. I love how the composition really stands out with the gold gilding. My rooster boy really shines!

This is the first painting in a two painting set, they are meant to be hung side by side. I will feature the second painting tomorrow.

Follow @vpmillerart

30 Paintings in 30 Days - Day 6

"Job Well Done", 18x24", Oil on linen, ©VP Miller

This is a homecoming. A private moment. I'm proud to know this couple and the sacrifices they have made for their country. They are wonderful, funny, loving people. They have a beautiful family. Too many times they were service separated. They know it's part of the job. This fleeting moment of being together after so long apart and it's rush of emotions, is suspended in time. 

I've been wanting to do this painting for a couple of years. I started it in watercolor two years ago, but I didn't like how it was proceeding and I put it aside. Then I started painting in oils, and knew that I'd want to do this in that medium but I wanted to make sure that I could do it justice before starting. So I painted other things, with this always in the back of my mind. Sometimes plans change like that. 

Follow @vpmillerart

30 Paintings in 30 Days - Day 5

I can't rush the process and some paintings will take longer than 24 hours. I already love this painting even in it's early stages. I would give a sneak peek, but I'm trying to surprise some folks with the finished product.

I'm one who likes surprises, without any hints. I want to feel the full surprise effect, not a watered down version because someone likes to tease with dropped hints. So you'll understand if I keep this one a secret. :-)

Follow @vpmillerart

30 Paintings in 30 Days - Day 4

"Joker's Wild", 5x5", Linen on board, ©VP Miller

Fond memories of playing poker while my opponent was playing the "knife game". There's something inherently dangerous and sexy about poker, even if you are playing for change.

On a side note, Happy Birthday to my sweet cousin Jen!! She gets younger every year. I have a cheese ball and a wine bottle ready for a visit. xoxo

Follow @vpmillerart

30 Paintings in 30 Days - Day 3

"Subdivisions", 12x16", Oil on board, ©VP Miller

A young girl reaches on her tiptoes to touch a green heart painted in the middle of a graffiti-ed wall. Nations, countries, states, neighborhoods and other boundaries are represented by the heavily outlined shapes on the street wall. All colors, sizes and shapes are interlocked forming a rich pattern until about mid-wall. Underneath the graffiti the facade shows, with a few lettered handles signifying something, maybe fame, to the artists.  Will it remain, or be painted over?

The wall is painted more tightly and realistically than the girl. Her stance is indicated with thick brush strokes, her hair a wild riot of color. She is anchored to the wall by shadow, which melts into the dirty facade. It is a rich visual language, playing symbolism against literalism.

Or it's simply a painting about choosing love.

Follow @vpmillerart

30 Paintings in 30 Days - Day 2

"Lost and Found", 11x14", oil on board, ©VP Miller

Day 2 of my 30 day painting challenge. I found this little horse in an antique shop in Grabill, Indiana while hunting around with my friend Beth during the summer. We were giggling like a couple of kids at some of the finds that we didn't take home. Some are still posted in Instagram.

"Lost and Found" and the carousel horse refer to our childhood selves and dreams. Those things that seem lost or forgotten.

Like Anahitaparsa said...

If you had never jumped from one couch to the other to save yourself from the lava, you did not have a childhood.

Follow @vpmillerart

30 Paintings in 30 Days - Day 1

"All the World's A Stage", 24x36", Oil on canvas, ©Victoria Page Miller

Happy 2015! New year and a happy new beginning! I am excited to begin a 30 Paintings in 30 days project. It coincides perfectly with my goal to create a fresh new series of paintings. I plan on challenging myself and not limiting myself with any preconceived ideas about what I can accomplish. I have a general direction in where I want to go, but I'm also open to surprises.

I hadn't posted this painting yet, and it's perfect to kick off the series. The painting addresses a few things. "All the World's a Stage" alludes to the famous passage in Shakespeare's As You Like It. It also has to do with youth, the power of friendship and the yearning to transform oneself with costume and play.

The carnival holds particular allure, in that it is here today, gone tomorrow. Elusiveness, mystery and the passage of time are all important themes.

The background has passages of thin washes, and also heavy impasto brush strokes in the inky night. The girls are absolutely confident in character and brimming with optimism.

Follow @vpmillerart