We had the good fortune of connecting with Christopher Miller and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Christopher, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
Originally, I pursued an artistic career as a painter to express myself and gain recognition, but in time I learned to watch how I work. What is my process of painting? I realized that when I approached painting with this sense of lack and the need to be recognized, I would only create lackful art. When I recognized my wholeness before and while in the studio, I created whole work. As I began exploring the process of painting and watching myself at work. I realized that there were many spiritual lessons to be learned while painting and I began writing them down in my studio. After a period of five years, I outlined my own spiritual journey and decided to share it with others in my book, “The Spiritual Artist.” I also produce a podcast to explore how other people use spiritual lessons in their work. The Spiritual Artist Podcast interviews artists from a variety of disciplines and encourages them to share their ideas for others.
Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
As an abstract painter, I believe that my work is a reflection and expression of my creative state during the process. For me, the challenge is to stay in a conscious presence while I work. I’ve learned countless lessons including; practicing moments of awe, creating sacred space, being present to my process, and learning to listen to the paint. Many more lessons are outlined in my book and I’m thrilled to be able to share those lessons with other artists and makers.
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?
The Dallas-Fort Worth area has a broad array of arts and cultural activities. I enjoy visiting the Latino Cultural Center, Dallas Contemporary, Ice House Cultural Center, Dragon Street, and the Oak Cliff Cultural Center. The city also provides incredible art training through the Creative Arts Center of Dallas and in home classes by local artists Rebecca Collins, www.rebeccacollins.com, and Melanie Brannan, www.melaniembrannan.com.
The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My artistic experience includes mentorship by Virginia Cobb in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and spiritual classes received under the guidance of Dr. Petra Weldes at The Center for Spiritual Living in Dallas, Texas. I have referenced countless artists, speakers and writers in my book including Twyla Tharp, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Don Miquel Ruiz, Jr, Eckert Tolle, Bryon Katie, Deepak Chopra, Terry Martin, Sanford Meisner, Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, Anne Bogart, Ester Hicks, Malcom Gladwell, Joel Goldsmith, Ernest Holmes, Julia Cameron and Eric Butterworth.
Website: www.spiritualartisttoday.com
Instagram: @thespiritualartistpodcast.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thespiritualartistpodcast
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSAYG9q-SAqG93L_6sEjh-A?view_as=subscriber
Image Credits
My own photos.