Local artist has exhibit at Fulton County Public Library

“I paint what I feel,” stated Jon R. Miller, Plymouth. “But I invite the viewer to take in the visual information and decide the significance of my art piece for themselves. Every good artist needs to know when to stop painting a project. A piece of artwork is finished when one more stroke of the brush will make no difference to the painting.” Miller’s paintings have been on display at the Fulton County Public Library since the beginning of March and will remain there until April 21.

“My interest in art started when I was a young student and drew tiny cars instead of working on my math problems. My parents realized I was interested in art and paid for oil painting classes from a lady in Plymouth.”

During high school, his interest in art really blossomed. “I created all kinds of art projects as a teenager. After graduation I started taking art classes at Ivy Tech.”

However, Miller’s life took another turn. “I got married and went to cosmetology school. My wife and I moved to Florida in 1979. I owned my own salon in Daytona Beach for 32 years.” Since he was working and raising two kids, his artwork was on hold for 20 years.

“In 2000, after seeing a drawing of my grandma’s farm, my client Eileen encouraged me to join the art league in Daytona. I had been drawing houses and barns. But on Thursday mornings, the art league offered life drawing classes. I began drawing people.” Miller’s portrait of Eileen is featured in the lab waiting room of the Plymouth-St. Joseph Hospital.

In Florida, Miller began to take part in the art festivals and street shows. “Those were a lot of fun.”

When his grown daughter KayDee had a fascination for the Midwest, she moved to Plymouth. “I thought she’d only last until the first winter. But she loves it here. I moved back into the area in 2017.”

Miller is vice president and curator of Heartland Artists Gallery in Plymouth. He’s also head of the Marshall County blueberry sculptures. He started a group of outdoor painters called Heartland Plein Air Painters of

Correction

The March 15 article, “Budding Fulton County entrepreneurs give their ‘First Pitch,’” mistakenly identified the first and second place winners of the “First Pitch By FEDCO” competition. The first place winners were Tippecanoe High School’s Kiera Smythe, Eric Eikenberry and Dawson Ault for “MAG PIK.” Second place went to Rochester Community High School’s Alex Deming and Payton Moore for “Timber Targets.” To see a corrected version of the story, go to inkfreenews. com/2023/03/18/budding-fultoncounty-entrepreneurs-give-theirfirst-pitch/.

Indiana (Happi).

“Part of the mission of Happi is to give back to the community. We painted outside REES Theater in Plymouth at the grand opening. Our paintings were auctioned off to raise money for the theater.”

Members of Happi also competed in Dancing with the Stars at Swan Lake Golf Resort. “We not only enjoy art, but we’re really good dancers,” Miller added.

Miller’s favorite medium is acrylics. But he does all kinds of artwork. “I do anything from abstract art to photo realism. I especially like doing my paintings as a series; for example, my ‘War and Peace’ series displayed at Fulton Library.”

On Thursday afternoons Miller packs up his supplies, travels to the Marshall County Correctional Facility, and teaches inmates how to paint. “Whether a person is a gifted artist or not, creating something on the canvas is quite therapeutic and satisfying.”

Miller lives in a historic house, “Tilly Cottage,” built in 1872. “Over the past several years, I’ve hosted a holiday open house, featuring 27 Christmas trees. Last year over 100 people attended.”

His son Jonathon and wife live in Daytona Beach with Miller’s first grandson Oren. Miller’s Facebook page is Jon Miller Studio.