Beaufort Art Association Features works by Eve Miller
Eve Miller, painter of emotional illusions inspired by the South Carolina Lowcountry, is the star of the next Beaufort Art Association (BAA) featured artist exhibit. The exhibit, entitled Visual Poetry, will run from January 11 – February 20. The opening reception will be held on Friday, January 15 from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. at 1001 Bay Street in the George Elliott House.
Most of Eve’s work uses the pastel painting process because it allows her to present the viewer with an illusion from inside and outside herself. She paints intuitively, which means that the process is allowed to occur through her. “This painting process lets me be fully in the here and now,” says Eve. “My goal is to create an illusion that elicits an emotion from the viewer. This communication is visual poetry.” If this communication occurs successfully, then the viewer experiences an emotion that Eve tries to evoke. A mood or feeling is thus established through color, composition and design to create harmony and beauty. “In the end, it is all about seeing,” says Eve.
Born in Belgium, Eve has always had a penchant for the arts. European galleries intrigued her on her many travels between Europe and the Middle East. Meanwhile she pursued an active career teaching French and Spanish at the secondary and college levels before retiring and settling in South Carolina with her husband.
After moving to the South Carolina lowcountry, Eve began her painting career after being inspired by courses taught by several other local artists. Pam Hagen, one of her first watercolor instructors, was very impressed with how she immediately took to painting and creating art. Hagen’s encouragement was a catalyst to continue exploring the arts and she began to study various mediums. A class with Mary Grayson Segars allowed the investigation of shapes, light and shadow. It was, however, instruction from Linda Sheppard that exposed her to the beauty of pastels; Sheppard’s enormous patience helped Eve find a ‘voice’ in painting pastel landscapes. She continues to develop her ‘vocal chords’ by participating in art classes and workshops. She also teaches pastel classes for beginners. Her work is in private collection in the United States, Italy, Australia and Great Britain.
The amazing Lowcountry panoramas and the fabulous contrasts of light inspire Eve’s artistic endeavors. Painting these scenes induces a state of joy resulting in a spiritual experience. Time stops and there is only the here and now. “I experience the creative process as a happy, feel good energy,” says Eve. The source of the experience is the visual stimulation she sees in nature. She is in awe of the beauty of the Lowcountry and is inspired by the sunrises, the sunsets, the clouds and their reflections in the marshes. Once inspired, she knows she is in the spirit when the rich tapestries practically paint themselves.
As stated earlier, the exhibit, Visual Poetry, featuring paintings by Eve Miller will show at the BAA Gallery from January 11 – February 20 with an opening reception on Friday, January 15 from 5:30 – 7:30 at 1001 Bay Street in the George Elliott House. As an added bonus, The Laizee Rivers Band will be playing for the event. The Laizee Rivers Band has been very generous with their talents by providing musical entertainment for BAA opening receptions free of charge. They do take donations so it is always appreciated if your show your support to the band at the event.
