I was casually browsing Instagram when I saw Debbie’s art for the first time… I was astonished! They seemed like adds for Victoire… Prints, polka-dots, stripes, flowers… All this joyful and colourful ensemble, that came straight out of Debbie’s mind, it was us! I was turning in my bed. I couldn’t sleep. I absolutely needed to contact her. When I offered her to work with us on our shop windows for this summer, she was thrilled… And, thank God, I was able to return to a calm life… Interview.
Hello, can you introduce yourself and your work?
Hi! I’m Debbie Miller, a painter, expressive arts coach, and soul-care practitioner, based in Orlando, Florida, USA. Though I had always loved color, design, and textile arts, I didn’t start painting until 9 years ago, when I encountered the Daily Painting Movement. Trusting that starting and completing a painting each day would increase my skills and help me discover my own painterly style, I began my daily painting journey. Today, I have completed over 3,250 paintings in as many consecutive days.
Lately, my work has focused on figures and objects that are camouflaged in their environments through color and pattern. I call the series “Off the Wall.” The idea emerged as a way to combine my love of surface design and fashion with inspiration from one of my favorite artists, the French Postimpressionist, Pierre Bonnard. I saw a touring exhibit of his work in Washington DC, in May 2024, and I was fascinated by the way people so often faded into the background of his interiors and landscapes because he painted them with similar colors and patterns to their surroundings. A few days after seeing his work in person and combing through my books of his works, I began my own explorations of embedding figures and objects into their environments – with my contemporary sensibility for color and loose realism.
I work in oils on wood panels. In addition to my home studio, I am a member of McRae Art Studios, the oldest and largest collective of professional artists in Central Florida.
I’m also blessed with an amazing husband, Brian Miller, who is also an artist and animator. We live surrounded by art supplies and our two bad cats.
Your inspiration for Victoire?
To compliment the styles in Victoire’s inventory, I worked with Camille and team to choose lots of color, stripes, color blocks and summery imagery. I hoped to convey a sense of playfulness and relaxed sophistication.
For you, what makes your work and Victoire linked?
Victoire is the kind of multi-brand boutique that is delightfully aligned with my artistic sensibilities. I am always choosing from eclectic silhouettes, color schemes, and patterns to create my Off the Wall Series paintings -- in the same way that Victoire finds the most interesting examples of contemporary trends and timeless chic in clothing and accessories.
What's your news, where will we be able to see you?
You can find me on Instagram at @debbierosemiller or through my website www.debbiemillerstudio.com. You can purchase artwork from me or my husband through our online store: www.theymakeart.com. If you are interested in online art classes, please check out our offerings at www.theymakeartuniversity.com.
Debbie, I love you.
Thank you again for accepting my invitation, I am waiting for you in Paris…
Have a nice weekend,
Camille
