Meet Matty Miller | Artist, Illustrator, & Educator

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

Hi Matty, why did you pursue a creative career?
I’m passionate about play, expression, & connection. I’ve found that an artistic career allows me to live every day of my life with those core values. Whether I’m teaching and connecting with people through shared creative experiences, or working in my studio, I wake up feeling grateful to live a meaningful life.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I love both creating and teaching. Coming from a long line of artists, it’s always felt natural to make, sing, or dance. I’ve learned that I can offer those experiences to the community both through teaching and by sharing my work.

My art is playful, peaceful, and whimsical. I’m most excited about creating art that invites people to slow down and contemplate the richness of our world. I paint imagery that provides an entry to experiencing calm, wonder, and connectedness. My hope is that my art inspires people to live their their most meaningful lives– to make a home-cooked meal and share it with friends, to take a walk in nature, to play their favorite board games with their favorite people, to have a quiet cup of tea & practice well-deserved self care.

I’m most proud of facilitating fun, accessible, educational offerings that help people (mostly kids) to get their hands dirty making art. As an educator, my mission is to help people connect with the joy of creating. I support makers in developing their own visual language while experiencing the inner and outer rewards of focused attention.

I got to where I am today with the support of my partner, my family, my community, and generous mentors who have shared bits of wisdom along the way. I’m privileged to have found the resources to go to college and study art & meditation. I became an educator and worked with progressive schools who trust that children have an intrinsic desire to learn and express themselves. I connected with creative entrepreneurs and risk-takers who helped me believe anything is possible. Nothing about having a creative career is easy, but it’s extremely rewarding!

Along the way I’ve learned that the keys to success are organization and persistence. The resources are out there to learn everything you need to know– from building a website to keeping a budget. It’s important to stay focused, stay humble, take care of yourself, and remember the joy.

I want the world to know that art has the power to create change! Surrounding yourself with beauty can inspire internal change. Creating art can connect you to your senses, body, and mind, which can inspire action and engagement in your community. I’m here to support you with both, so reach out… I’d love to connect!

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
We’d have brunch at Weathervane Cafe and ride bikes to Bluff Lake Nature Center for some plein air sketching. We’d stop by Mango House for some delicious Ethiopian food and go to the Mercury Cafe for swing dancing. Then we’d head towards Steamboat Springs for hiking and camping in the mountains, and end the day at Strawberry Hot Springs.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
There are so many people who have supported me along the way. I’m grateful for my time at Naropa University. I learned to become grounded in contemplative practice from a young age and was exposed to a long lineage of alternative thinkers. Robert Spellman and Joan Anderson shared their views on the link between art and meditation, Mike Ricci shared his knowledge and approach to Japanese Tea Ceremony, and Eric Fretz opened my mind around civic engagement and social justice.

Website: www.mattymiller.com

Instagram: @mattymillerstudio

Twitter: https://twitter.com/StudioMatty

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mattymillerstudio

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCL_lKqMOabuEAlQLHFNklmQ/featured

Image Credits
Adonye Jaja Photography