Meet Holly Miller: Artist - SHOUTOUT ATLANTA

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

Hi Holly, Let’s talk about principles and values – what matters to you most?
Respect.There are very few things that I clearly remember from my early childhood but 2 questions I asked my mom at a very young age have stuck with me throughout my life The first question was “Who do you love more, me or daddy?”“ Your dad. I love you and your sister but your father is my first love.” It took me a few days to digest her answer and get over my shock but eventually I realized that it was a deeply honest and sobering answer that kept me from getting a fat head and kept me grounded. The second question was “What is the most important thing in life?” Without hesitating she said “Respect”. Today many years later, respect has been deeply engraved into my psyche and my philosophy of life. For me respect is everything. Through respect you can love and honor not only others but yourself. To respect life and nature, the world and humanity is to spend time on this planet believing in and sharing love and kindness. As an adult and a parent of a teenage boy, I have spent his childhood instilling respect. Teaching him to respect himself by having good hygiene and cleaning up after himself, not only to hear other people but to listen to them, to be aware of elderly people and to be open to others who are different than him. To be fair and to care, to have strong opinions while keeping an open mind. In my practice as an artist, I work with everyday materials (thread, plastic bags) and strive to transform them and showcase their beauty and poetry, respecting they humble qualities. In Aretha Franklin’s words R E S P E C T is what it’s all about.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I have always responded to the world visually but decided to make it my profession when I chose to go to Art school after passing my French baccalauréat. Studying in New York, surrounded by professional practicing artists opened my eyes to Contemporary Art and helped me find my voice in my own work. Being an artist is extremely challenging. Not only trying to be part of the Art world, getting representation in a gallery and having collectors support your work but finding the drive and inspiration to keep developing and creating meaningful work. It’s both a solitary and social profession. I’ve always managed to support my work by doing free lance jobs on the side. My paintings and drawings are part of my everyday life. I get inspiration from the outside world and filter it into the work. It’s an ongoing process that keeps me alive