Crows in Winter

A perfect example of the depth and breath of artist Linda Miller's talent. Using a rustic cabinet door, she creates a traditional retablo ( plaster on board painting) to depict this Wisconsin winter scene. It measures 20X31 inches and is unframed, showing the primitive nature of the board on board construction of the old door.

The crows gather at this spot in the early morning sun to pick over the remains of a deer carcass at the base of the tree growing on the side of this hill.

Good Luck Gnome

According to legend, gnomes are the guardians of treasure buried in the earth. These four jolly characters are created out of unusually shaped bottle gourds and individually painted. Artist Linda Miller gives each good luck gnome a unique character and facial expression. You'll notice that the gnomes wear the same size shoes. Living at the base of a tree in a cozy space warmed by a wood fire, if there were to be a middle of the night blaze, they wouldn't have to search for their own shoes.
Newton Ulm pictured at right sports a rather glum expression. Since he's the Grand Master gnome in his area the weight of responsibility lies squarely on his shoulders.
In the group photo at left,
Wayne Snut
(Snoot) and the boys are sharing a pint o' stout with the neighbor-a bite size crow. That would account for the ample girth and large gold buckled belt, they wear to keep their breeches from falling to their knees.

Spirits of Crows, Dancing

Framed, measuring 23 1/4 X 29 inches this work is an unusual traditional rustic retablo format (plaster on wooden board). It was completed in December,2008 by artist Linda Miller. What follows is a description of the creation and inspiration for this piece. Once again it is a silent tribute to the late Gertie Sennett, Wisconsin poet and friend of the artist.

"When we moved to our present location, an old schoolhouse and the adjoining four and a half acres were vacant for five years. While the exterior showed new siding, a new roof and a fresh coat of paint, the interior and various outbuildings were in rough shape. The garage was used as a workshop and storage. In the main part of the garage, a barrel stove heated a poorly sealed room, big enough for two cars. The rear portion of the garage had a lift-up door that might have been used to store a riding mower. It had an abandoned gas heater in a rear corner. Before removing the gas heater, I looked inside and found three perfectly preserved bird skeletons. I assume the birds, looking for a warm spot in winter, found their way into the heater through a vent-pipe. As an amateur naturalist, I found the skeletons intriguing. I photographed them before disposing of their bodies. Years later they became the inspiration for this painting."

Figure Study #6

Unframed, measuring 16X20 this striking acrylic on canvas three color figure study was completed in February, 2009 by artist Linda Miller.