Today we’d like to introduce you to Ingrid Miller.
Hi Ingrid, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstories.
I grew up in a small town in Southeastern Indiana with a single mother and 12 siblings. I always was extremely creative and outdoorsy. Throughout my childhood, I was always found drawing, sewing, making crafts or exploring outside, climbing trees, and playing with the farm animals. I was always creating and constantly moving. I believe some of the adversity my family faced pushed me along with my artwork and sense of wander; it was a great way of expressing my feelings through some hard times.
As a kid, I knew in my heart I needed to be an artist. It’s one of those feelings you just can’t shake. My biggest role models were my art teachers, they proved to me that I can be an artist and make a living. So that’s what I decided I was going to do.
I graduated high school in 2019. I tried to go to college but felt that the path wasn’t right for me. I dropped out and was working a gas-station job while making artwork and running a small but successful henna tattoo business from my mom’s house.
When the pandemic hit, I couldn’t continue my henna business, so I had to close down. I felt really stuck for a bit, not knowing where to go next. At a family function, my uncle from down in Red River Gorge, Kentucky was talking about how he was struggling to find workers at one of his businesses. I found this as an opportunity. I reached out and asked if I could come down and help for one month and then go back to Indiana. Growing up, we would go to the Gorge to visit, so I was super excited to be able to spend time there as a young adult.
Once I came down to the Gorge to start working, I knew that this was the place I needed to be. It was a concrete feeling. I ended up moving in with my uncle, and with his guidance, I opened my own business, became a graphic designer, and started to sell my artwork again. I have been living here going on 3 years now, and I’ve gained a lot of skills and learned a lot of lessons about managing business. I never would have imagined that I would be living down here and truly living out my dream.
I’m extremely inspired by Red River Gorge, and I’ve been able to not only become a full-time artist down here but I’ve also picked up some really great hobbies like rock climbing, hiking, gardening, and tending to my chickens.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I had an abusive father throughout my childhood. We lived in the same household until I was 12 and had some rough visits from time to time afterwards. I struggled with a lot of emotional trauma, having to witness and endure the bouts of arguments and abuse – something a young child should never have to experience. I’d like to think that this experience furthered me as an artist. My intense emotions through that time pushed me to create more, as it was an escape from the hurt and an outlet for my emotions.
Through high school, I had some peers that were very against what I was doing and would tell me, “You can’t be an artist. You won’t make any money, and you’ll be poor the rest of your life.” This really hurt me. Some adults in my life had their doubts as well, worried that I would in fact become a starving artist. I was looked down upon for my grades and even made fun of for having to repeat some classes. I felt singled out and very depressed. I just wanted to create, but everyone around me kept telling me that I needed to go to college and get a regular job.
Thanks – so, what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I consider myself a multi-disciplinary artist, meaning I have a large array of skills and styles that I work with, which I believe sets me apart from others. My skill set ranges from graphic design, oil painting, watercolor, charcoal, henna tattoos, sculpture, murals, graphite, and so on. I usually use bright, earthly colors in my work, and I love especially to add touches of greenery. I enjoy this particularly because I get a lot of fun clients and requests, with each new project, I get to use another part of my abilities, and I get to learn more about the style and work I’m creating.
Most notably, I’ve created the logo for several businesses, including The Gorge Underground, Red River Gorge Zipline, Red River Gorge Vacations, and many more. I’ve also designed a several billboards, a yacht logo, various merchandise, a few murals, and most recently a bus wrap!
In particular, I find the most success in my graphic design work, as it advertises itself! I really enjoy working on consignment oil paintings and a special style of cartoony watercolor & ink illustrations.
Ultimately, I’m most proud of being able to prove that I can be a successful artist through all my avenues of work. I have overcome adversity and shown the world that I can do it and that I can use my story to inspire other artists like me.
Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
Finding mentorship can be hard when you’re looking in the wrong places. Surrounding yourself with people & places that nurture you will help you to find those special mentors. For example, I won’t be able to find an art mentor if I’m looking for it through a job at the gas station. I will most likely find a mentor through art clubs, classes, and events that are centered around art like festivals and shows.
My biggest mentor in business has always been my uncle, but not everyone is lucky enough to have it that simply. Reaching out to successful business owners and artists that have similar beginnings is a great way to start. Send a warm message or invite a potential mentor to lunch. Explaining that you are eager to learn and need some advice will help them understand that their advice and words are valuable and may continue to give you advice and pointers along the way.
A really excellent way to find a network of people in your area is to become active in events and gatherings in your area. Generally, nearby towns will have events through the year. Get out and explore!
Checking out online seminars, Facebook groups, and communities is a super quick and easy way to dive right into networking with the right people. The internet is a vast community full of life and excited people just like yourself that want to connect and explore.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ingridtheartist/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ingridmiller48/
