Linda Miller

My artwork has a whimsical quality that speak to the duality of degradation and beauty, which has been an overarching theme running through my work for the past 25 years. This ongoing aesthetic, with rich textual qualities beckon and entice, while repelling the senses. My work cannot be tabled or merely looked upon as if pedestaled, but rather it must be interacted with, as if to lure the viewer forcing them to be lost in this other worldly space of fantasy.

Although my work is constantly changing, there are repetitive themes that run through it. The scale of the work is essential to my voice and the intense colors persist in flooding the visual pallet. Playful, childlike elements also continue to be manifested in my art, while screaming of compulsion, beauty and affliction. My body’s physical proximity is critical to the art making, as it plays a vital role in the execution and the essence of my vision. My hands stimulate and disrupt the membrane across the surface with every nuance being recorded in the memory of my work. These memories are locked inside the moment of creation, as if stopping time and locking it into existence. Creating abstruse forms of reality where truth intertwines with lies.

The narrative within my work describes my life journey beginning from my earliest joyous memories of childhood and retelling the story of secrets and mysteries of youth and the slipping away of innocence. The materials I choose play an important role within my process. I use malleable yet hard martials like clay alongside of soft fibers and found objects. These materials add to the ripping away the layers, moments and sorrows depicted in images of erosion and decay. As breath and life escapes, silent screams of a shattered hope and love depart, still beauty can be found imbedded within the symbols of innocence and youth.

Many artists have influenced my work over the years. Antonio Gaudi and his curvilinear lines and undulated construction, along with its massive scale and whimsy. Kristen Morgan and her decay and angst found within the kitsch art of Mighty Mouse, Popeye and her vintage cars. The massive bright and intense colors and textures found within Chihuly’s blown glass instillations and forms that beg attention and demand respect from the risk and threat of the sharp piercing edges. This is not to leave out Susan Beiner and Linda Sormin’s instillations with complex structures and colorful twisted and mangled forms that can swallow up a space, all while luring the viewer. I find the abstract visual language of these artist’s vision appealing and am intrigued by their style as it has found its way into my aesthetic and speak to my sensibilities.

As a contemporary artist, I assemble spaces where angst and beauty collide and merge, while exploring body, time and space. I do this by manipulating a variety of traditional and nontraditional craft materials that speak of home, family and traditions. These materials encapsulate memories, dreams, and fears locking the mysteries rigid and pliable mater into and eternal structure of fantasy, whimsy and fear.


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OBJECTIVE
My goal as an artist and teacher is to galvanize one’s artistic voice to stimulates and affects change in ourselves and in the world we live in.

CERTIFICATION
California State University Sacramento Certification, Linked Learning Cohort (Type 03) in Art, expected; May 2017
Parent Teacher Home Visit Certification, October 2016

EDUCATION
University California Davis, Davis CA; May 2010
Master of Fine Art concentration in Studio Arts; 2008-­‐2009; Overall GPA 3.857

California State University Long Beach, Long Beach CA; June 2007
Bachelor of Fine Arts Ceramics; Cum Laude, Phi Kappa Phi Honors Society, President List, Travel Award Recipient; Overall GPA 3.746
Post Baccalaureate in Art

Orange Coast College, Costa Mesa CA; June 2003
Associates of Art Degree; Robert B. Moore Leadership Award; Overall GPA 3.86
Art of Western Europe Study Abroad

TEACHING EXPERIENCE
Instructor of Record
Western Placer Unified School District, Lincoln High School, Lincoln CA: Art/Ceramic Instructor 9th – 12th grade, 2017 – Present
Created assignments and assessments through scaffolded instruction across disciplines
Modified curriculum to support English Language Learners and Special Education Students to effectively teach in general education classroom
Worked closely with students, parents and staff to develop positive behavioral strategies
Wrote grants and received money to strengthen and build a more effective learning environment.

Student Teacher
Natomas High School, Grades 9th -12th, Natomas Unified School District, Sacramento CA: 2016 - 2017

Instructor
West Sacramento Early College Prep Charter School, West Sacramento CA., Art Instructor 6th - 8th grade, Art History 12th grade, and Social Studies grades 8th - 11th as emergency credential teacher; 2015 - 2016 academic year
Created assignments and assessments for project based learning across disciplines
Modified curriculum to support English Language Learners and Special Education Students to effectively teach in general education classroom by scaffolding instruction
Worked closely with students and staff to develop positive behavioral strategies
Worked closely with parents by communicating student’s strengths and weaknesses and by making regular phone calls

Adjunct Professor
Sierra College, Rockland, CA; Ceramic Hand-building/Sculpture, (Art 0017), Fall 2013 to Spring 2014

University of California Davis, Davis CA; Beginning Ceramic Sculpture, (Art 008), Winter 2010
Introduction in Drawing (Art 002), Introduction in Figure Drawing (Art 004), Beginning Sculpture (Art 005), Beginning Ceramic Sculpture (Art 008), Intermediate Printmaking-Serigraphy (Art 125D), Fall 2008 to Summer 2010
Demonstrated kiln firing practices for electric and gas kilns
Trained students in operation of shop equipment and studio safety
Taught fundamentals and basic techniques in multiple medias

RELATED TEACHING EXPERIENCE
Alpha Fired Arts, Sacramento, CA, 2012 to 2017
Instruction in several weekly classes on hand-building, wheel throwing, and sculpture for students from beginning to advanced levels.
Self Employed Business Owner, Art Instructor/Artist, spanning from Southern to Northern CA; 2003 to 2017
Prepared lessons, ordered materials, created promotional resources, performed all financial and office duties; in addition to maintaining a successful studio Art practice. List of facilities upon request
Aardvark Clay and Supply, Santa Ana, CA, 1998-­‐2003.
Assisted customers, teachers, and storeowners in the purchasing of clay, glaze and equipment.

TECHNICAL ABILITIES
Woodshop Sculpture Technician, University California Davis, Davis, CA. 2008– 2010. Instructed students in operational and safety of a variety of woodworking and power tools such as: table, jug, miter and banding saws, drills, and sanders.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
California Art Education Association (CAEA) 2016-2017, Attended conference 2016
National Art Education Association (NAEA) 2017
Verge Center for the Arts; Studio Artist, 2013 to Present

COMMITTEE AND VOLUNTEER ACTIVITIES
California State Fair, Youth Art and Design Expo, Judge, Sacramento, CA; 2009-­‐2010
Children’s Hospital of Orange County (CHOC), Ceramic Tile Project Volunteer, Dr. Michael Mohonen, Orange, CA; 2001-­‐2002
Orange Coast Community College, Harry and Grace Steele Children’s Center Tile Project, Committee Chair, (Raising more than $30,000) Costa Mesa, CA; 1994-­‐1997
Fairview Developmental Center, Designed Ceramic Classroom and Specialty Tools and Equipment for students with disabilities, Costa Mesa, CA; 1995

INSTRUCTOR LECTURES AND WORKSHOPS
Alpha Fired Arts, Pit Fire Workshop, Sacramento, CA. 26 March 2014.
Alpha Fired Arts, Raku Workshop, Sacramento, CA. 21 Feb 2014.
Alpha Fired Arts, Pit Fire Workshop, Sacramento, CA. 26 Oct 2013.
Verge Center for the Arts, Ceramic Sculpture Workshop, Sacramento, CA. 2013.
Visiting Artist Lecture, “Courtyard Gallery Art Walk with Linda Miller.” First Baptist Church, Sacramento. CA, 8 September 2013.
Visiting Artist Lecture, North Highlands High School, North Highlands, CA. 2012.
Visiting Artist Lecture, Artist Talk, “Spring”, Gallery W, Sacramento, CA. 1 April 2012.
Visiting Artist Lecture, Santa Ana Valley High School, Santa Ana, CA. May 2004.

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts (NCECA), 2014
Verge Center for the Arts, 2012-­‐ Present

COMMITTEE AND VOLUNTEER ACTIVITIES
Coordinator for the Art League of Lincoln, Feast of Clay: Lincoln Clay Day Event, Lincoln, CA. 2019 to current
California State Fair, Youth Art and Design Expo Judge, Sacramento, CA. 2009-­‐2010.
Children’s Hospital of Orange County (CHOC), Ceramic Tile Project Volunteer, Dr. Michael Mohonen, Orange, CA. 2001-­‐2002.
Orange Coast Community College, Harry and Grace Steele Children’s Center Tile Project Committee Chair, (Raising more than $30,000) Costa Mesa, CA. 1994-­‐1997.
Fairview Developmental Center, Designed Ceramic Classroom and Specialty Tools and Equipment, Costa Mesa, CA. 1995.

HONORS RECEIVED
Lincoln Community Foundation Grant Recipient, Lincoln CA. 2019
Block Grant Fellowship Recipient, University of California, Davis, CA. 2008-­‐2009.
Phi Kappa Phi Honors Society, California State University, Long Beach, CA. 2007.
President Honors List, California State University, Long Beach, CA. 2006.
Travel Award Recipient, California State University, Long Beach, CA. 2006.
Phi Theta Kappa. Honors Society, Orange Coast Community College, Costa Mesa, CA. 2002.
Robert B. Moore Leadership Award, Orange Coast Community College, Costa Mesa, CA. 1997.
Fred G. Sparks Award, Orange Coast Community College, Costa Mesa, CA. 1995.

PUBLICATIONS
Pritikin, Remmy, “Dance You Monster, to My Soft Song” MFA Exhibition Nelson Gallery, (Catalog), University California, Davis, June 4, 2010.
Foster, Tim, “Art Picks”, Midtown Monthly Sacramento and Beyond, June 3, 2010.
Rogers, Theresa, “A Place in the Shade” Daily Pilot, July 27, 2002.

COLLECTIONS
Public
Alpha Fired Arts, Sacramento, CA.
Gallery W, Sacramento, CA.
Arts Manhattan, Manhattan Beach, CA.

Private
Mary Edersole, Long Beach, CA.
Dr. Charmaine Meyer, San Pedro, CA.
Caroline Davies, Orange, CA,
Jeanne and George Mcghee, Costa Mesa, CA.

EXHIBITION RECORD
Solo Exhibition
“Court Yard Gallery Presents Linda Miller”, Sacramento, CA. 2013
“Spring” Gallery W, Sacramento, CA. 2012
“Kingdom Come” BFA Show, CSU Long Beach, Long Beach, CA. 2007

Group Exhibition
“Axis Picks” Axis Gallery, Sacramento, CA. 2017
“Sac Open Studio Tour Show” Verge Center for the Arts, Sacramento, CA. 2015
“Sac Open Studio Tour Show” Verge Center for the Arts, Sacramento, CA. 2014
“Art Mix/ Verge Take Over the Crocker” Crocker Art Museum, Sacramento, CA. 2013
“Plate and Totem Show Encore”, Alpha Fired Arts, CA. 2013
“Plates and Totems Show”, Blue Line Gallery, Roseville, CA. 2013
“The Universe Within April Fools Art Show”, Body Tribe, Sacramento, CA. 2013
“Plates, Totems and Tea Pot Show”, Blue Line Gallery, Roseville, CA. 2012
Verge Center for the Arts, Sacramento, CA. 2012
“Dance, You Monsters, to My Soft Song”, MFA Exhibition (catalog), Nelson Gallery, Davis, CA. 2010
“If You Are Interested in Selling This,” First-­‐year Show, Pence Gallery, Davis, CA. 2009
“University Arts Museum” CSU Long Beach, Long Beach, CA. 2006
“The Petting Zoo”, CSU Long Beach, Long Beach, CA. 2005
Juried Student Show, Orange Coast Community College, Costa Mesa, CA. 1995

TRAVEL
Art of Western Europe Travel Abroad, Orange Coast Community College, Costa Mesa, CA. 1997