Photo Shoot of Lavely Miller, Painter

I was so excited for this shoot of my friend and colleague, Lavely Miller. She is such an interesting, creative, and intelligent woman, I had to share just a little more of who she is and what she does. So I thank her for humoring me with a little bio.

I know you will find her art, and this artist ... simply stunning.

How would you describe your art?
I do large scale, figurative paintings. I paint with my fingers, one finger actually – the index finger on my right hand (“the one you used to suck,” says my mother). All of them are in acrylic now, which I use because it is cheaper and I assume will kill me slower than ingesting oil in the small space of my studio.

When did you begin painting with your fingers? And why for you does this work/feel best? Was there anyone else you've known who painted without brushes?
I began painting with my fingers when I was about 18 and completely broke. I was out of town, needed brushes to work with, had none, and in an economically unfortunate rush decided just to use my fingers. It turned out that with my overall lack of coordination the absence of another tool between myself and the canvas worked quite well. I haven’t used a brush in over ten years. I have not known another person to do this personally, but I’m sure I’m not the only one. Fingers are extremely cheap, if you have them.

Who was your biggest art influence?
Sally Mann. I also have corresponded with Jock Sturges since I was about 17 and his letters have made an impact on my work (and my life) that is just almost too embarrassing to put into words.

When do you paint?
I try very hard to paint every day, but this doesn’t happen so often anymore. Usually multiple times a week, more if I have a deadline of some sort.

Where have you been represented?
I have been represented at Detail Gallery in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware and the McGuffey Art Center in Charlottesville, Virginia.

Introducing Miss Fancy Pants Gonzales....

What are your favorite things in life?
Ha! My boobs and my dog.

What is your goal with each piece?
Practice. Everything I’ve ever painted has been a rehearsal for that one, great painting. I know, life’s not supposed to be a rehearsal, blah, blah, blah. Such is the misdirection and hopeful illusion that is my life.

Where did you grow up?
I was born on a Marine base (Camp Lejeune) in North Carolina. My father lived out of the country for the first 6 or 7 years of my life and my mother moved in with my grandparents on their farm near Sweet Briar, Virginia, while he was away. I think I grew up a bit when I was fourteen in New York City and then maybe a little more when I graduated from college and went to Portland, Oregon. I doubt anyone would consider me grown up now, though I suppose it’s probably long overdue at this point.

What is your schooling/education in art? B.F.A. Studio Art, Painting and Drawing, 2000. James Madison University

(I also happen to know she has an Ed.S., Mental Health Counseling, 2005 University of Virginia and M.Ed., Mental Health Counseling, 2005 University of Virginia - and she graduated from JMU Cum Laude, With Distinction....because my husband and I made a big deal about it the other day)

www.lavelymiller.com