'Vineyards First Light' - By BDMiller
Although I have been to my brother-in-laws house a thousand and one times between now and then, it was on Christmas Day that I noticed something. Maybe I have seen it before, but something else is distracting me from really looking around. Maybe I don't spend much time in that particular room when we pop in for a visit now and again. Or my memory is poor.. That is the most likely reason. Whatever the goofy reason is, I was surprised to remember that they had a piece of art that I painted a while back. It's sad how fast time flies.
I remember painting it for a fund raiser, and do remember them winning it. After I got over my overwhelming joy in having rediscovered a little piece of my artistic history (cough cough) I took a few minutes and gave it a good look over. I noticed that before I acknowledged the piece was pretty good, given my then (at the time the painting was created) very very armature oil painting abilities, I immediately started critiquing it. Hahaha.. Just like me. I can't even cut myself a break on something I did almost 20 years ago! But then I did. I gave myself a pat on the back and appreciated the fact it was there on the wall, proudly displayed, for all to admire and enjoy. Although it is stuffed behind and to the corner of a huge TV, that is no reason to doubt that anyone is appreciating it. I can't lie, I did think for a moment that if I decided to walk out the front door with it.. rescue it from it's lonely spot on the paneled wall.. would anyone even notice it was gone? I would like to think so, but the doubter, melancholy person I am was wondering.
Sitting there pretending to listen to the on going conversations around me. The clanking of forks to plates, the gentle shuffling, the occasional outburst of laughter, and the softness of the chaise sofa I was melting into, where having an affect on my state of mind. I was slowly drowning out the voices of family and beginning to daydream over my thoughts of art works past. Visions of grandeur, or rather simplicity to be totally honest, where passing through the elasticity of my memories. I was making a (Short) list of art pieces I had either sold or given away in the past decade or two. Had I really been doing this 'Art Thing' for that long? It should be no surprise, for those who follow me regularly, that I hardly ever part with my creations. That's why the list remains a short one. My reasons for not parting with them are many, and would take up a whole post, entirely by themselves. Instead of being sold or given away, they sit here, in my home studio, in small piles and loose fitting frames. Sometimes I move them here or there, brushing the dust from their surface and edges, pausing for a moment or two. In those moments I remember the time spent creating it and why.
Some of them I have given to family (like the one above), as gifts or as a gesture because they took interest in it, while they spent time here looking at it. They stand and talk with us in my small home art studio, making general conversation about art. They begin to shuffle around the room. Eventually and kind of hesitantly, they start to pick a piece or two up from their resting place. They now feel comfortable enough to curiously sift through the canvas and hardboard stacked on shelves and in the corners of the room. They gaze over at my easel/work space and notice that something is in the works; something that's been in the works for months. Inspiration and time have a way of hindering the creative process. Then it comes out of their mouths, the kind words of praise and compliment. If they were only being pleasant and courteous, well.. they got stuck with it! "It's settled. Your going home with that one." haha.. I think they would have said "no" rather than taking it. Should I ask? Nope. These following pieces are a few examples of paintings I've given away just because someone may have shown interest in it, or a few because it meant something to me to do so.
'Metro' - Oil On Canvas by BDMiller
'Painted Poppies' - Oil on Hardboard by BDMiller
'Snow Kissed Farm' - Oil on Hardboard by BDMiller
'Pennsylvania Fly Fisherman' - Watercolor on Paper by BDMiller
And as far as I am aware, they still display them. Most all of them were given away when I was first starting out, so the quality was not that great. My friends would stop by for a visit, admire something laying in the corner, then the next thing they knew they were heading home with it at the end of the evening. The exception is this first painting you will see. 'O'Brien's Cottage'.. this painting was created specifically as a gift. From the beginning that was the intention. Nothing like adding pressure to the creative process. I feel like giving something to a good friend, that you have created, spent hours involved with, can be very rewarding and special. I think it would be very cool to give each of my good friends a painting that speaks to them, but the interest has to be there, otherwise it feels sort of empty. Timing is everything, so when the right time presents itself, I will do just that.
'O'Brien's Cottage' - Oil on Canvas by BDMiller
'The Empty Piano Lounge' - Oil on Canvas by BDMiller
'Pineapple Table Side' - Oil on Canvas by BDMiller
'Beach Side' - Oil on Canvas by BDMiller
'California Coast' - Oil on Canvas by BDMiller
Of my paintings as well. It has been a while since I have sold any. I really do not market them very well. I tried a few sites like Facebook Marketplace and Etsy, but no luck. There could be several reasons why, including price, size, or even subject matter. It's quite possible that my work sucks, and that may be the main reason why they do not sell. Who knows. I still have fun just creating them and then stacking them up in piles to probably be thrown out 50 years from now. I can not complain too much as long as it's still fun. So here are a few sold pieces :-)
'Relaxing On Aruba' - Oil On Canvas by BDMiller
'Pilings At Sunrise' - Oil on Hardboard by BDMiller
'Calm on the Bay' - Oil on Hardboard by BDMiller
I can remember quite a few that have been given away for one cause or another dear to my heart. Choosing the right one for a charity event is always very tough. Will people like it? Will they bid on it? How embarrassing it could be if everyone thinks it sucks and doesn't put in a bid for it. All sorts of things run through my head, but eventually are drown out by the fact that it's the reason that counts. I'll buy it back if that's the case. In the end, all of the pieces I donated for charity, had found a new home, and that gives me a happy, warm feeling of content. Here are just a few..
'Pacific Evening' - Oil On Canvas by BDMiller
'Sitting on the Bay' - Oil on Hardboard by BDMiller
'Grapes On The Vine' - Oil On Hardboard by BDMiller
'Pennsylvania Mountainside' - Oil On Canvas by BDMiller
'Snow In February' - Oil On Hardboard by BDMiller
Pieces from this now not so mental list. The list that I came up with, while sitting in ponder on the sofa of my brother-in-laws house on Christmas Day. I'm sort of glad that I put this list and these thoughts down in a post. It helped inspire me a little knowing the list is larger than I thought. Okay, so I haven't sold as many as maybe I figured I did, but that's not what inspires me. What is truly inspiring, is the fact that I created something and someone somewhere (even if it is just me) is appreciating the Work and Love I put into creating them. In a lot of ways, it makes me feel like I am giving more of myself than what people see on the surface. Every once in a while, a piece may even help a greater cause.. the armature creator or not that I am. I am feeling good about myself, feeling creative.. and that is awesome.
See you again real soon :-)
My art work incorporates a wide variety of subject matter, including landscape, seascape, cityscape, and still life images. My works are the product of a continuing process of exploration through which I seek to portray personal and visionary interpretations of my surroundings. My paintings are impressions of places and events from everyday life, an interpretation of my imagination, and personal responses to what I see and feel on a daily basis. More recently I have invested generous amounts of time into my landscape painting. I am surrounded by natural and man made beauty, which inherently presents itself in the tri-state area, and almost demands that I paint it.
Not everything is art. Art is not everything, but it comes close. Art is everywhere and all the time. Art makes you experience the beauty of the world, the people in it, and the places we call home. Art itself is so influential that it can tell stories, show feelings, and express passion or fury. Art exists in addition to language; expression of sensations and thoughts, revealing a way of thinking too subtle and delicate for words.
For me art requires love, honesty and perseverance. In return, it reveals some personal, non-analyzable, and creative untamed passion. For the public, art with its magnificent beauty, improves mood and health and builds better human beings and communities. It engages the intellect, softens the heart, strengthens the soul and frees the spirit. B D Miller.................................
They can be found for sale in
OR
My Etsy Store
If you don't see the piece in either shop, It may still be drying. Let me know and I can upload it as soon as possible to be available. Or you can always make me an offer (in SBD or STEEM) in the comments section of this post. If we agree on a price, I will then ship the painting to you. (shipping costs will be determined by your location).
