Meet Dee Miles | Photographer and Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Dee Miles and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Dee, how has your background shaped the person you are today?
I grew up in Tennessee mostly. I started playing the piano and later the violin at a young age. I have always loved music. Then I picked up the family camera in my early teens and loved taking photographs. My parents were always supportive of my love for the arts. In college I gravitated to music and art classes and was always around creatives.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I have created something for most of my life, whether it be photographs, drawings, yarn arts, sewing, painting. I love it all! I have been focusing on art full time for the last 9 months. My eye catches details to photograph, something that may be missed, but that is beautiful and needs to be seen. This favorite quote sums up what I hope to convey in my artistic creations:
The answer must be, I think, that beauty
and grace are performed whether or not we will or sense them. The least we can do is try to be there.
Annie Dillard
Pilgrim at Tinker Creek

I work simply and photograph what
I see in everyday life. I alter
photographs to enhance the beauty
that is already there. Most images
are on a smaller scale and can
appear as watercolor or abstracts
Beauty and grace are everywhere.
I seek them and offer my vision of these
with my creations.
My hope is that people will find a familiarity, or a newness, that leads to a
mindful, peaceful spirit.
I love to learn about other artists and their creative processes.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Given the mountains here, hiking would be on the agenda, going to my favorite Poetry and Spoken Word group on Tuesday nights at Wanderlinger Brewery, and eat dinner there – the Reuben there – one of the best ever, hanging out at the parks by the Tennessee River – there is usually some event happening, shopping at the artists’ markets, the Hunter Museum and the Tennessee Aquarium and hang out with my local friends.

Alright, so let’s jump right in! The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there a person, group, organization, book, etc. that you want to dedicate your shoutout to? Who else deserves a little credit and recognition in your story?  
My parents of course. Always supportive and encouraging my endeavours. I cannot say enought great things about the art community here in Chattanooga. Wanderlinger Art Gallery, Clear Story Arts and Association for Visual Arts have been very welcoming. It is great having a private studio at Clear Story, providing a space to create and to be around other artists and art every day. Artists here are very supportive of each other.

Instagram: @herethereyonder

Image Credits
Dee Miles