The Artist

Art Affiliations:

Artist Fellowship

Signature Member of Mid-Southern Watercolorists

Signature Member of Artists of Northwest Arkansas

Associate Member of Oil Painters of America

Member American Impressionist Society, Inc.

Member of Plein Air Painters of the Ozarks

Awards

Numerous Awards
Mid-Southern Watercolorists
Little Rock, AR

2nd Place
Louisiana Festival of Arts
Masur Museum
Monroe, LA

Honorable Mention
ANA Spring Exhibit - Sager Creek Arts Center
Siloam Springs, AR

2nd Place
Spring Art Festival
Ruston, LA

Publications:

Fine Art Connoisseur
Two page spread concerning
Richard Schmid Fine Art
Live Auction 2009

Viking Crown Cruise Club
A Newletter for Past Passengers
of Royal Caribbean Cruie LIne

Watercolor show is big winner;
artists get credit
Arkansas Gazette

An Engaging Avocation
Callboard - The Arts Center of the Ozarks

Babe’s Galleries
Santa Fe Style
Santa Fe, NM

Workshops Given:

Watercolor Workshop
Center of Creativity At Terra

Watercolor Workshop
Art Center of the Ozarks
Springdale, AR

Watercolor Workshop
Rogers Art Guild

Watercolor Workshop
Mt. Sequoyah
Fayetteville, AR

Watercolor Workshop
Arkansas League of Artists
North Little Rock, AR

Watercolor Demonstration
Artists of Northwest Arkansas

Twice Given Watercolor Demonstration
Mid-Southern Watercolorists
Little Rock, AR

Critique
Rogers Art Guild
Rogers, AR

Critique
Artists of Northwest Arkansas
Springdale, AR

Represented by:

Scott Frame and Art
Rogers, AR

Past Galleries

Juanita’s Collections
Santa Fe, NM

Shorney Gallery
Oklahoma City, OK

Sketchbox Gallery
Little Rock, AR

Contemporanea Gallery
Hot Springs, AR

Arkansas Art Center Rental Gallery
Little Rock, AR

-Biography-

Willis Miller was reared in Oklahoma City and graduated from Oklahoma State University with a degree in Forestry. At the age of 40 he was led to begin painting. His first teacher, Janice Clark, was very instrumental in guiding him into the world of art. Although he did not know her at the time, she observed some of his work in a frame shop. She told the storeowner, “If he does not think he knows it all, I would like to teach him.” From that point on she began instructing him without charge. Around that time Janice was featured in a book entitled, “A Fine Age - Creativity As A Key To Successful Aging.” Others whose artistic guidance he is thankful for are Jeff Legg, Todd Williams, Irving Shapiro, Margaret Ellerman, Stephan Kramar and Douglas Walton.

Willis is an Associate Member of Oil Painters of America, a Signature Member of Artists of NW Arkansas, a Signature Member of Mid-southern Watercolorists, a member of the Plein Air Painters of the Ozarks, American Impressionist Society, Inc. and Artist Fellowship.

-Artist Statement-

I feel so blessed to have been an artist for over 30 years. Early in my training I was told to paint shapes and not things, and that is true to a point. Artists are also taught to paint warm against cool, dark against light, rough against smooth and so many, many other things concerning principles and elements of design. With so many thoughts and tools, I feel driven to express different things in different ways. Therefore, for me, my work must be to create with feeling and thought rather than developing style.

Our God is an awesome Creator. To express joy in His gift is enough. A friend to whom I taught art many years ago wrote me once and said, “KEEP PAINTING!!! Willis, I firmly believe God is pleased when we create something beautiful for the enjoyment of others as well as ourselves.” I want that to be true!