Meet Arna Miller | Illustrator and screen printer

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

Hi Arna, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
It’s the only thing that made sense. I knew my soul would wither and die if I worked for someone else, especially in an office, so I knew I had to work for myself, I had no other choice. And I enjoyed making things and learning and getting better at new skills and crafts. So these factors combined with people showing an interest in my art, and enjoying my own creations made it easy to decide. I made a decision, that even if I lived in squalor then I would, if it meant being able to work for myself and doing what I want to do every day.

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.
My art is based on printmaking. Up until this year I barely ever made originals, instead I designed each piece to be a print, and would draw layer by layer. I learned how to screen print on my own around 2009, and then for reals in 2010, and it evolved since then. I wouldn’t say it was a difficult journey, but it was very organic and slow. Nothing could have been forced. I never did have a 5-year plan, even though that’s one of those must-haves of business. My goals are rather to improve and also enjoy the process. I want people to spend time with my art. Hopefully at first glance it’s appealing, but then a lot of the pieces I’ve made over the years still bring me joy when I see them. I like to think there’s some substance to them, some kind of empathy and understanding, or like an inside joke.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I would take them downtown, for sure. First we’d go out to eat at Zoe Ma Ma, then walk to the Tattered Cover, and then get a drink at Union Station. One of my favorite places is the Cherry Creek bike path. We could go from Confluence Park, maybe check out My Brother’s Bar, and ride bikes through Denver along the path. On another day we could go to the city I grew up in, Lakewood, and walk up Green Mountain, it has a great view of the entire city. Even better is walking up South Table Mountain in Golden. If we’re up for a crazy night, we could do the First Friday art walk on Santa Fe Drive. And spend a weekend backpacking to one of Colorado’s natural hot springs. One thing I would love to do but haven’t yet is go to Horsetooth Reservoir in Fort Collins, and swim or rent a boat or paddle board.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
The city of Denver in general gets a shoutout. It supported and inspired me with its library, used book stores, people, regular hangouts and neighborhood walks. And also Abstract / Indyink. In 2010 I found them, as a small business, and requested to do an unpaid internship so I could learn screen printing, and then I convinced them to pay me. Over the years we’ve both grown a lot, and they’ve added a division to their business and are now fulfilling orders from my Webshop.

And also a big shoutout to my partner Jože whose love, help and support makes anything possible.

Website: arnamiller.com

Instagram: @arnamiller

Facebook: Arna Miller Illustration