I love sheer faces of rock, exposed cliffs and boulders that tell a story of the earth and of time. I sense an ancient presence, a sense of quiet mystery. These places are like walls that may hold hidden doorways into another world, a world beyond our consciousness.

The surfaces are often stained and covered with lichens and tenacious plant life further adding to color and texture. These walls of stone are the earth’s canvas, visual abstractions that make sense only when you know geology, biology, chemistry and the workings of the atmosphere. They otherwise function like abstract art, holding no meaning unless you personally project it. Like abstract art you either like it or you don't. I like it and happen to know enough to read these places and sense the deeper content that tells a story of upheaval, weathering, mineral content and of life in harsh conditions. Such places hold a parallel to art for me. The more you know, the richer the experience but at a basic level they can fascinate and imply even if I do not understand.

The prints above are of one small section of cliffs on Jordan, a lake in the BWCAW. These are color explorations intended to suggest emotional possibilities similar to those inspired by changing light and atmosphere. Each passing and each exposure to the rock faces can feel a bit different.

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My screen print Super Hero was in the Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum’s 2022 Birds in Art exhibition. It was also chosen to be one of three posters for purchase promoting the show. The print in the show was purchased by the museum for the permanent collection and will be included in the national tour following the exhibit. See print: Super Hero

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The Birds in Art National Tour Schedule:


Newington Cropsey Foundation
Hastings-on-Hudson, New York
www.newingtoncropsey.com 914.478.7990
March 13 – May 5, 2023

Muscatine Art Center
Muscatine, Iowa
www.muscatineartcenter.org 563.263.8282
June 1 – August 13, 2023

Hansen Museum
Logan, Kansas
www.hansenmuseum.org 785.689.4846
September 8 – November 5, 2023

Representation:

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Abel Contemporary Gallery, 524 E Main St, Stoughton, WI 53589

River Arts on Water, 105 9th St. Prairie du Sac, WI 53578

Gray Jay Graphics is a name I use to help you find me in the crowd but I really do business as John Miller. My personal name is pretty commonplace so I can be hard to find without another way to identify me. I work in many different styles and with many different mediums creating fine art as well as graphic designs explaining ideas. All content © John Miller unless otherwise noted.