Redding’s Cultural Cruise
2014 is coming up this Friday, and multi-talented artist Will Miller will be wearing
two hats -- doing his best to be at two places at once.
Will Miller, the singer-songwriter,
will be playing a half-hour set of original music at Redding City Hall at 4:30 as
part of the North State Songwriters Showcase. Then he’ll high-tail it across
town to the Carter House, where his painting, Paradise, is up for a prize in
the North Valley Art League Annual National Juried Show.
I asked Will about the
challenges of being both a songwriter and a visual artist.
“My passion for creativity
is a driving force, and when engaged is an unstoppable flow that just spills
all over the place (sometimes hard to contain and always a mess)…..Painting and
songwriting both have different disciplines, rules, and skills to hone.
On the songwriter side of
the house, when flows of emotional things happen in my life I write down notes
to remind my self of how I felt, or a funny thing that happened, then later when
I hear music pieces that touch my soul, then I search thru my notes and write
my songs using the notes as reference…
In painting, it is a discipline of color
and light matching, a drill that encompasses every brush stroke… I study my
compositions and relive every inch as I paint.
Whatever skill sets I have
acquired with songwriting and painting I owe all to my intense focus,
self-discipline, love of seeing smiles and passion for creating things.
”
What are you looking forward to at this year’s Cultural Cruise?
“Smiles and a little toe
tapping… to bring a thought of joy or happiness with my creations, whether
musical or artistic to the world is what floats my boat… of course winning best of show at the
league show would definitely make my year.”
In addition to being an
artist, Will is a veteran, father of five and grandfather to nine. He’s currently college art student, Cottonwood resident and fine arts
advocate.
