Picture That  
 

Robin J. Miller

I am first and foremost a teacher. After 15 years of teaching learning disabled students, I became an art teacher. I have been teaching art for 7 years. The inspiration for my work often comes from my teaching experiences. I have given many lessons on the work of Vincent Van Gogh, Georgia O’Keefe, Jacob Lawrence, Romare Bearden, Faith Ringgold, Henri Matisse and many more. With all of this in my head, I go home and create my own work. Well, these other artists are still with me influencing my ideas and creations. Some projects came from assignments that I gave my students. Then I decided to do them myself.

Other works are based on my own journey through the history of the African American experience. I have a Langston Hughes collection where I have illustrated his poems. I have a jazz history quilt that came about when I decided to teach jazz in the art class. Now, that work is about to become a book. Educating others, as well as, myself propels me to create projects that build knowledge and understanding of topics that have historical significance.

My technique was developed while I was on a study sabbatical. It is immediately recognized by its three-dimensional quality. People have asked me what it is called. I simply say that it is mixed media collage. My wish is that those who see my work will smile and feel the joy and energy that I put into each piece.

The art that I do is rather unique. It is mixed media collage and has an instantly recognizable quality. My art has been compared to stained glass and mosaics, because of the strong metallic paint bordering the work. I use decorative papers that are quite colorful and create texture. More than one person suggested that I submit my art to this “Call for Art”.

Art Exhibits:
ACA Galleries (Anyone Can Fly Foundation), Jewish Community Center – Scarsdale, Lehman College Art Gallery, National Black Theatre of Harlem, Simone’s Gallery, New Rochelle and Greenburgh Libraries, A.I. Friedman’s, City Island Arts Organization, Beth Abraham Hospital, Jacobi Hospital, St. Albans Congregational Church

Commission Work:

  • Pepsi, Inc. – Illustrated an advertisement honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., which ran in Essence Magazine, Ebony, Jet, Black Enterprise and Amsterdam News.
  • CEO/President of CNBC (Pamela Thomas Graham) – created 9 mixed media collages for her office in New Jersey.
  • Bruce McGaw Graphics – Two works, Hats On and Celebration, were published and featured in their international catalog.

Author/Illustrator:
"The Jazz History Quilt"
“Back To School” – a children’s book of poems
“Peace and Racial Harmony” – poetry poster

Achievements as Educator:

  • Prepared a model art program for Project ARTS Brooklyn office web page. (nycenet.edu)
  • Wrote a poem – “Jazz in the Art Class” – Developed an art curriculum for student around the poem which received recognition from “Jazz at Lincoln Center” – Educational Director, Laura Johnson.
  • Annual Student Art Exhibits at Simone’s Gallery in Pelham, NY.
  • Received the Thurgood Marshall African American Educators Award.

Education:

  • Certificate of Completion, Visual Arts, Teacher, Sabbatical Program at LaGuardia Community College/CUNY, 1997 – 1998
  • M.S. in Special Education, (Learning Disabilities), Herbert H. Lehman College, Bronx, N.Y. 1981 – 1982
  • B.S. in Early Childhood, Bernard Baruch College, N.Y, 1974 -1978
  • NYC License – Fine Arts in Day School
  • NYS Certification in Visual Arts
  • NYS Certification in Special Education