MICHAEL MILLER
HEARTLAND
Abend Gallery presents "Heartland," a solo exhibition by Michael Miller featuring 16 oil paintings that capture the essence of rural America. Miller's work, ranging from intimate 10 x 10" pieces to a grand 30 x 48" canvas, invites viewers to rediscover the profound beauty in the simplicity of countryside landscapes and iconic barns.
Artist Statement
"For my part, I had rather admire the ample barn of one of those opulent farmers, who himself felled the first tree in his plantation and was the first founder of his settlement, than study the dimensions of the temple of Ceres.”-Hector de Crèvecœur, 1782
Heartland is a tribute to rural America in all her stunning simplicity. The paintings in this series offer a look into a way of life that is slowly slipping away, with a special emphasis on barns. Barns are the cornerstone of America, yet many of our encounters with them are fleeting: a quick glance as we drive by them- looking but never seeing. Growing up in rural Ohio has given me the time to study, admire, and reflect on these ancient structures, and I’ve tried to capture their essence on canvas. I find that true beauty lies in simplicity; therefore, I approach each painting with that in mind. I paint the majority of the farmhouses and barns from a straight-on perspective. This is done to emphasize the simple yet beautiful, sharp angles of the buildings. It also starkly contrasts the rounder shapes of the landscape, thus bringing the eye back to the farmhouses and barns. It is my hope that this series of work gives the viewer not only a look into rural America but a chance to see it." -Michael Miller
📅 Exhibition Dates: September 20 - October 8, 2024
🎉 Opening Reception: September 20, 2024, 5:00 PM-8:00 PM (Artist in Attendance)
📍 Location: 1261 Delaware St, Suite 2, Denver, CO 80204
Add the Opening Reception to your Calendar
- Grid
- Slideshow
- Waterfall
- Horizontal Masonry
LEARN MORE ABOUT MICHAEL MILLER
Michael Miller's work is a never-ending quest to capture the beauty and truth in rural America's simplicity. Inspired by childhood visits to Civil War battlefields, Miller was deeply impressed by the barns and manicured fields that seemed frozen in time. He began painting landscapes as a way to express his love for these sacred places.
A self-taught artist based in Northeast Ohio, Miller's approach to painting has evolved over time. While he once relied primarily on memory, he now focuses on specific details and locations, often using reference photos or plein air sketches before completing works in his studio. He describes his style as representational, borrowing techniques from tonalist and impressionist painters.
Working primarily in oils on linen and canvas, Miller strives for quality by using fine art supplies and pigments. His goal is to freeze a passing way of life, inviting viewers to reflect on distant memories. Miller's work serves as a tribute to rural America, with a special emphasis on barns, which he sees as cornerstones of American landscape.
CV