Kristin Miller

“We Become the Place” is an exhibit that creates habitats through the layering of mixed media materials in both works on paper and sculptural installations. Referencing South Florida’s unique landscape, bodies of work create a sense of  “wall-life,” which dance delicately between 2D and 3D spaces exploring concepts of identity and adaptation. Acting as nature’s gesture drawings, air plants and jellyfish are shape-shifters, while flora and fauna create a consistent narrative. Nature changes and morphs to its specific location, becoming the place. Through quiet observation we adapt as well - floating and drifting through new identities, creating a personal and natural symbiosis between our daily life and the physical environment.

"We Become the Place" was selected as a Solo Show at the Cultural Council of the Palm Beaches for December 2023-January 2024.

The exhibit featured over 50 works of art - mixed media on paper, framed and not framed as well as sculptural installations.

Press for Solo Show can be found here.

"Adaptable Drifters" is a series of 3 24x30" works on paper. Ink drawings of Florida's ubiquitous airplants are meticulously drawn on vellum and then layered on washes of watercolor and mixed media fabrics. The push and pull of depth of field seen in the 3-4 layers of drawings are meant to promote memories of previous walks through nature and the memory of dappled light seeking the eye through the trees.

“We Become the Place” is an installation of 35 small sculptures. Made of woven caning material the series the series was exhibited in “Nature of Light” at PBSC HU Gallery Sept - Oct 2023 and in my Solo Show “We Become the Place” at the Cultural Council for the Palm Beaches in Dec - Jan 2024.

In these two new bodies of work, “We Become the Place” and “Reflections and Refractions,” I am exploring light and its relationship to south Florida’s unique landscape. Both new series document line qualities and light that is captured from moments of quiet wandering or collecting of natural artifacts. Acting as nature’s gesture drawings, air plants and light are both shape-shifters, changing and adapting according to the time of day. This ability to transform and dance upon the landscape adds to our sense of wonder with it. In “We Become the Place” I am seeking to create a sense of “wall-life”, which dances delicately between 2D and 3D spaces and my personal and rooted relationship with the Florida landscape. “Reflections and Refractions” are layered with memories of light and shadow, splicing together different moments in time to one shared surface of light.

“Reflections and Refractions” are a series of 4 mixed media works on paper (cyanotype, pastel, embroidery, watercolor) 16x20”

In these two new bodies of work I am exploring light and its relationship to south Florida’s unique landscape. Both new series document line qualities and light that is captured from moments of quiet wandering or collecting of natural artifacts. Acting as nature’s gesture drawings, air plants and light are both shape-shifters, changing and adapting according to the time of day. This ability to transform and dance upon the landscape adds to our sense of wonder with it. In “We Become the Place” I am seeking to create a sense of “wall-life”, which dances delicately between 2D and 3D spaces and my personal and rooted relationship with the Florida landscape. “Reflections and Refractions” are layered with memories of light and shadow, splicing together different moments in time to one shared surface of light.

Exhibited: "Nature of Light" at PBSC. September 2023

Every day we weave (texere = Latin verb for “to weave”) the past, present and future together with thin lines of where one starts and where one story ends. The root word, texere is where we get the words “text” and “textile,” therefore inherently connecting the act of weaving narratives together. This series of paper weavings comprised of cut-up mixed media (watercolor, acrylic, ink, pencil) works explore abstract ideas of the horizon line as a metaphor for the constant presence of time. All works are 32” x 30”

Exhibits include: Solo Show “We Become the Place” 2024 and Cultural Council Biennial 2023 at the Cultural Council for the Palm Beaches and Faculty Show 2023 at Palm Beach State College.

A handmade artist book of days of the nature-based objects of “When Days Were Slow” photography series, 2022. Leather-bound, fabric pages with gouache and sewn found objects.

A collection of summer wanderings in the woods and on the shore. Objects of nature-based memories form still lives of a moment in time when days were slow and children had keen observations of every leaf, air plant and shell along the way. Stories give grace to curiosity and paths unknown.

Digital photos on canvas, hand embroidery on each print.

Series of 6 exhibited: Solo Show “We Become the Place” 2024

“A Sea Change” is a site-specific wall installation (8’ x 10’ x 6”) composed of irregular, biomorphic shapes that float off the wall delicately. Each sculptural form is made of simple wire, twisted and turned to create an open armature of quiet strength for dyed fabric, drawing, cyanotype, and embroidery. Fabric is sewn onto forms in remnants, suggesting a once fully covered form but also revealing the bones of ethereal creatures of the sea underneath.

The year 2020 was “A Sea Change” for many. Changes were seen in our home habitat, work/life balance, access to childcare, global climate change, politics, and personal health. Making these organically shaped soft sculptures is both a distraction and a remedy from the harshness of today’s reality. The diaphanous nature of the forms are inspired by the changing forms of sea creatures, meant to symbolize how we are being challenged to grow, change shape and morph into a new normal.

A wall installation of this series was selected to be included in the Cultural Council of Palm Beach Biennial 2021 - March 26 - May 28..See link for details

Press for this installation:

Palm Beach Daily News

Palm Beach Post

Boca Magazine

A 3D/2D installation of (3) 18”x24” mixed media pieces that explore layers of handmade bougainvillea paper, xerox transfers and loose charcoal and paint on paper. 3D element is wire wrapped with vintage ribbon sculpturally “drawn” over the 2D works on paper. Experimenting with new handmade paper recipes directly from my backyard, to add to delicate botanical drawings and abstract moments of charcoal. This “wall-life” dances delicately between the space between 2D and 3D and my personal and rooted relationship with the Florida landscape.

An ongoing series of ink on paper drawings of ropes juxtaposed with soft watercolor washes and embroidery. 18” x 24” on watercolor paper. Works in progress address concepts of untangling emotional knots and releasing to the delicate washes of watercolor. The contrast provides imagery to feelings of anxiety and freedom that come from a global pandemic. Constraints of time, childcare, work / life balance are untangling.. often producing moments of great freedom and moments of serious knots.

This series is available for $300 each framed or $200 unframed

“New Topographies” (2018) is a mixed-media (watercolor, drawing, fabric, embroidery, handmade paper, cyanotype, xerox transfer) series of 10 that explores changing landscapes. Landscapes that were once clean and crisp get messy and horizon lines bleed into vast, open skies. Making mistakes morphs our terrain into fresh habitats. Each piece is 13” x19” on watercolor paper and $150 each unframed.

“Clouds of Gratitude” is a series of (3) 18” x 24” mixed media on watercolor paper. Handmade paper, acrylic, watercolor and ink.

This series is available for $300 each framed.

This piece was a part of the exhibit, "Mark My Words" at the Palm Beach Cultural Council in 2017.

My piece is a contemporary version of a Victorian sampler. With embroidery, collaged fabric remnants and watercolor, drawing and mixed media on paper, I am seeking to create my own alphabet of memories through each individual letter as well as the whole group. “Remnants..” is comprised of 26 lettered mixed media solutions, 13” x 19” each.

“Everyday is Different and Exactly the Same” is an edition of 10 commissioned by Whitespace Collection for the inaugural year of Whitespace Editions. 9” x 12” mounted on panel. Digital photograph with mixed media (drawing, cyanotype, fabric, embroidery, handmade paper.")

This series is SOLD OUT

“Cutting Words: Part Three” is a large scale hand cut paper quilt. Layers of handout paper conversations are woven as a sculptural quilt. The piece is 10’ x 4’ and was done in 2014. “Cutting Words: Part 3” was selected to be in the international art fair, ARTFTL in 2019.

“Cutting Words: Part 3” was previously exhibited in ArtPalmBeach as well as at the Palm Beach Cultural Council.

“Family Trees” is a series of (12) 18x24” mixed media pieces on watercolor. This series explores the connection between natural roots and familial roots. Drawings of tree root patterns are layered on watercolor, handmade paper, sewing, drawing, etc.

In 2019, I was the Co-Curator to the exhibit, “Modern Love” at the Palm Beach Cultural Council.

Love is a universal language—whether it’s between two people, the world around us, or even self-love—this complex emotion spans cultures and defines who we are. In this exhibition, there are representations of all facets of love, as a concept, represented in many ways: color, sensation, awareness, empathy or even through nature, technology, dance and beyond. Twenty Palm Beach County artists will be sharing their love in this exhibition,.

I worked as the Design Director at Whitespace Collection for the 2007-2020. In addition to a website redesign and content management, I provided branding, exhibit signage/labeling and all promotional materials and advertising to this private art collection. See Whitespace Collection here.

I have a background in newspaper and magazine design, as well as teach graphic design courses at PBSC.

I am available on a freelance basis for wedding invitation design, branding and logo design.

These images represent a selection of projects done between 2005-2014. Installation, artist books, projected images, altered slides, medium format photography, experiments.