Everything from Shane Miller’s dreamy landscapes to his proficiency in the nuances of oil glazing techniques is imbued with his passion for painting. “I had a watercolor teacher in high school who taught me things like composition and techniques — like how to mix blue in the foliage for distance and yellow for the foreground, or how to use shadows to anchor objects,” Miller says.
His lifelong focus on painting theory fuels his growth as an artist, which helps his work stand out in a field of talented contemporaries.
Often depicting nostalgic American wilderness, Miller’s landscapes simultaneously appear not quite of this world. This effect is a reflection of his process, which relies on memory and imagination alone.
“I read a lot of fantasy novels and love world building in general,” Miller says. “There’s something exciting about creating from nothing, which is why I don’t use references when I paint. I want my work to feel like a distant dream or memory for the viewer, so they feel an emotional connection with it.”
This approach has served Miller well, as his work has consistently garnered the attention of influential figures within the industry.
“I was selling a few pieces and really trying to establish myself when I met Paul Polycarpou, the CEO of Nashville Arts magazine. He offered to critique my work, so I brought him half a dozen pieces,” Miller says. “He started to give me a bunch of feedback, then after a few cycles he introduced me to the curator at The Rymer Gallery.”
Miller’s work is now represented by Bennett Galleries Nashville and a number of other galleries across the Southeast. His growth as an artist over the past decade has been a result not just of his discipline on the canvas, but of his ability to apply that discipline off the canvas.
“By 2016, I had begun to build up an Instagram following to sell my work. I had some friends with larger followings who posted for me, and sometimes I would do some art trades,” Miller says. “That was definitely a big factor for my being able to paint full time.
“Direct to consumer sales really keeps everything going,” he adds. “A lot of artists don’t really think about the business side of things, but literally 50 percent of the work is going to be admin.”
Miller’s marketing savvy can serve as a valuable template for all aspiring artists, but the defining feature of his work will always be his deep-rooted respect for the craft.
“When I look back at my work over the years, it’s definitely changed and evolved, but I think the overarching theme has stayed the same,” Miller says. “It might seem like it’s just painting landscapes, but the technical aspect of painting is limitless.
“Think about what can be achieved over the course of a full career as an artist, from a technical standpoint. There’s something really beautiful about that pursuit.”
@shane.artistry
