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Sue, what was it like growing up with a Father as an artist? Did you ever feel overshadowed or did he take you under his wing?

Growing up with a father that was an Artist was like growing up in Disneyland. He was so creative with both art and music .I learned at a very young age how to see the world thru an artists eyes. Yes Dad did take me under his wing. I’m very grateful and there isn’t a day that passes by that I don’t appreciate that. We were very close and he was a big inspiration to me. He passed away a year ago this past January 6 and it’s been hard living in a world without him. He was very funny and I can still hear his laughter and I miss being able to call him and talk about art. But I find that I am even working harder at my painting with him gone. Keeping very busy helps me cope. Plus it’s what he would want me to continue to do.

Did you always think you would be an artist like your Father when you grew up?

I think deep inside I knew I would be an artist like my Dad. I knew if I worked hard enough I would be. He always encouraged me and had faith in me.

Besides your Father, who have been the most influential people in your work?

My Father was definitely the most influential person in my life in regards to my artwork. But I did have a couple of other great art teachers that were masters of their art and they were stunning talents. Both Rachel Farrington and Milt Healy were also very wonderful friends. I also have been extremely inspired by the late legendary artist Harrison Fisher who was popular in the early 1900’s. I also respect the art work of Linda Ravenscroft and was honored to have one of my paintings appear in her new “How to Draw and Paint Fairies” art book.  This book can be purchased at her web site www.lindaravenscroft.com

I also admire the art work of Jessica Galbreth, Amy Brown,NeNe Thomas, and Maxine Gadd; all very talented ladies. I actually have an extensive links page on my web site  www.suemillerart.com with many gifted, talented artist friends. All of them inspire me. I also buy many different art books. My art room shelves are full of different art books. I love to study different artists styles. It’s how you grow as an artist.

You do a lot of fantasy work. What led you in that direction?

Fantasy work has always been what I have been interested in the most. It’s so me. Probably because that’s where I live the most, (In a little world of my own.) It’s a place I create..my own little world…where I go..to a place where I escape.

Probably the reason I like to paint fantasy art is because it is an escape from reality. A SAFE PORT…so to speak. We see so much violence on TV and everywhere else on earth so why not create a   SAVE PORT somewhere?

Why did you choose to leave the graphic world behind after twenty years?

I left the graphic world because I was simply laid off from my job. This was about 14 years ago. There were cut backs because the economy was bad. At first I was upset. But it was then that my husband said why don’t you advertise to teach art. So I did. The phone rang and it never stopped. My career changed from that time on and for the better. I opened up the Magic Palette Art Studio. I find teaching so much more rewarding. There was a period of time when I had 130 students. It was so wild and busy. But I have cut back and now I have about half as many students and that gives me more time to paint.

Right now I am Licensed to International Illustrator, Heaven and Earth Designs and Moon Moon Stones.

I love your bold use of color. How do you select your colors when doing a painting?

I select my colors depending on the painting I am doing. Say I am doing a seasonal painting…like Christmas..of course I would choose Holiday reds and greens. I like to use bright bold colors not watered down light pale colors Maybe I’m not afraid to go bold with colors??

You’ve done some beautiful magazine covers and other publications. What are your marketing techniques?

I spend a lot of time sending my work out. Guess it’s my Dads training. I still hear him saying. “GET YOUR WORK OUT!”

You teach art to over 100 students a week. How do you manage that and how many students do you teach at a time?

I don’t have 100 students anymore. I have under that now and still I spin my wheels. I don’t stop all day. I go from the second I wake up till the wee hours of the morning. I have a routine I usually check my e-mails in the morning for a while. Then I have to do my usual house chores. The cleaning and so forth. Then I do errands if necessary outside the house then race back and maybe have some painting time before I teach. Then I start teaching most days when the kids get home from school. I teach about 7 kids in a class. I teach several hours or so. Then have a dinner break with my hubby. After dinner is when I either paint all night or do computer work sending my web site out. My husband is a musician and has a recording studio in our home so he is always doing creative work also. The two of us always have projects going. It’s a creative environment. Everyone always loves to come here and see what we are up to.

Have you thought of doing any internet classes?

No I have never thought about Internet classes.  But that might be interesting.

What have been some of the highlights of your career?

Highlights in my career would be owning my own art teaching business. (THE MAGIC PALETTE ART STUDIO) Also having my work published in art books. That was a dream come true for me. My work was in Linda Ravenscrofts art book as I mentioned before. Plus my work appeared in the“500 Fairy Motifs” by Myrea Pettit from the respected www.fairiesworld.com . This book by the way is selling in the very popular -Hot Topic Stores nation wide plus other popular bookstores. Plus can be ordered on the Fairies World web site. Also my work appeared in “Visions of Atlantis” by the popular Enchanted Artists Group. Published by Ellen Million Graphics. Plus my work has been on magazine covers, inside magazines, newspapers,  Several E-Zines. Plus be watching…  My work will be appearing on the front cover of an upcoming fantasy storybook. Watch for a  book called “Princess Malia”  a charming book soon to be released.. I was thrilled about that.

Where do you see yourself going with your art? What are your future plans?

I hope to be able to be very well known as an artist one day. ( EVERY ARTISTS DREAM) I’m not afraid to work hard and push my art work. I welcome all the viewers to please visit my web site and it would mean the world to me for you to sign my guest book and also take a moment and vote for my web site on the voting page.(TOP FANTASY WEB SITES) www.suemillerartcom. I read all the e-mails and love to hear from everyone.

I hope to have my artwork available in my own book some time soon , which I have been making some plans for the near future. I even dream about being in museums some day. SMILE  J  I hope that my father would be proud of my accomplishments.

Do you have any words of wisdom for all of those budding artists out there?

Keep Painting! Reach for the Stars!

10% Inspiration 90% perspiration.

Sue Miller has signed with THE FAIRY SOCIETY. A group of today’s most beloved fantasy artists managed by the respected artist and business lady… Sherri Baldi. Sherri works hard at getting the artists licensing deals all around the world. Check out this exciting group. www.thefairysociety.com Plus The Fairy Society will also be licensing Sues dads art work also. His name is Tony Pacheco…and his work is also appearing on Sue’s web site on Sue’s web site.

www.faeriemagazine.com

Plus Sue Miller got the front cover of THE WRITERS POST JOURNAL; a beautiful full color literary magazine. A place where the creative minds meet. http://www.lbfbooks.com

Plus Sue Miller was chosen to be the featured artist in the empowerment For Woman e-zine, www.empowerment4women.com

Featuring dozens of products with Sue’s art work. Start collecting Sue Miller art now, www.suemillerart.com. Sue’s E-mail angelknock@optonline.com

All works are copyright.  Permission to use these images in any way must be obtained from the artist. 

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