TEMECULA LIBRARY FEATURING LOCAL ARTIST
Temecula, CA—Paintings by area artist Mike Miller will be on display in the rotunda of the Grace Mellman Public Library in Temecula through May 3. Visitors will be greeted by a selection of nine original painting depicting scenic and western landscapes, including some from the Temecula Valley wine country.
“The local valley is an artist’s dream, full of rich and colorful hillsides, rivers, century-old trees and buildings that are all the elements I like to include in my paintings,” explains Murrieta artist Mike Miller.
Born and raised in Southern California, Miller’s art career began at Walt Disney Studios where he worked on animated features including Sleeping Beauty and 101 Dalmations. He moved to Las Vegas in 1962 and spent 50 years as an award-winning advertising agency owner, illustrator and author of children’s books and coloring books. Upon retirement, he relocated to Murrieta in 2011 and is now active in the Temecula Valley Art League, Friday Plein Air Painter’s Group and the Gem of the Valley Art Association.
Miller’s artwork can also be seen on display in Fallbrook’s Brandon Gallery and in a traveling show in Riverside County government offices.
Paintings on display at the Grace Mellman Library will be available for purchase, and sales inquiries can be made at the library, located at 41000 Country Center Drive in Temecula. Library hours are Monday-Tuesday 11am-7pm;Wednesday-Thursday 10am – 6pm; and Friday-Saturday 1-5pm. The Library phone number is 951-296-3893.
Area residents may also recognize Miller’s artwork from the 2011 Christmas holiday season at the Temecula Promenade Mall. His “Home for the Holidays”original artwork was selected as the winning submission for the Habitat for Humanity Christmas Tree, and was reproduced as holiday ornaments and sold by the charity’s local chapter. He also participated in a "Quick Draw" demonstration during which he transformed a blank canvass into a finished and framed painting in less than an hour. The 16” x 20” watercolor featured amountain stream scene, and was completed in 47 minutes as guests watched the process and discussed painting techniques with Miller. The painting was then auctioned, with proceeds benefitting Habitat for Humanity.
Other samples of his work can be viewed at www.mikemillerart.com.
Captions:
Sentinel Oak Tree
The landscape surrounding Temecula’s Wilson Creek winery provided inspiration for this painting by local artist, Mike Miller, who has a one-man show on display through May 3 at the Grace Mellman Library in Temecula.
Vineyard 2012
The local wine country is full of hillside landscapes, one of Mike Miller’s favorite subjects to paint.
Plein Air Painting
Murrieta artist Mike Miller enjoys an afternoon of painting in the Temecula Valley wine country. See more of his original paintings on display through May 3 in the Grace Mellman Library.
