Can you tell us something about yourself?
Jacqui: “I am originally from London but now live in America. I’ve worked in the fashion industry as a designer, a patternmaker, and then in 1995 I opened a bespoke tailoring store in Bethesda, MD where I made custom suits and shirts for hard to fit gentlemen; including professional football and basketball players.

My husband and I with our 2 sons moved to Atlanta, GA in 2005. I eventually made a career change and managed a Lasik surgery clinic. In 2012 I had a kidney transplant. My youngest son, who was 18 at the time, volunteered to be my kidney donor and saved my life. In 2016 I had ovarian cancer. I recovered and returned to work, but my husband and sons really wanted me to stay home and relax. In May 2018 my husband transformed one of the bedrooms in our house into an art studio so that I could start focusing on my art.”

When did you start painting?
Jacqui: “I started painting in my teenage years, but considered it to be a hobby. It was not until 2018 that I decided to make my art a full time career.”

What inspires you to paint?
Jacqui: “When I started painting as a full time artist I was determined to create a distinctive message. I want my art to appeal to both black and white people. I first started creating abstract art, but I felt it wasn’t unique and the message was too ambiguous and subjective. I developed my neo-pop art style to portray racial equality in a simple but bold way that is easy to recognize without being offensive to anyone.”

What subjects do you paint?
Jacqui: “I typically paint subjects that are inspired by contemporary social concerns. Whether black or white we are touched by the Me Too movement, the struggle to legalize marijuana, the fragility of the Rainforest, and climate change. I’ll continue to paint subjects like these that are of concern to all of society, instead of focusing on just one nationality or race.”

Did you go to art college or are you self taught?
Jacqui: “I took advanced art and design classes in high school in London, and then I studied fashion design at the Fashion Institute of Technology in NYC. Along with studying design it was important to also study art and art history. I had live model drawing classes to ensure I had a good grasp of the human form in repose and movement, and art history to study art styles and compositions.
I have worked in the fashion industry, but I would say I’m at the beginning of my art career. Better late than never!”

If you had a choice of just four colours, what would they be?
Jacqui: “I like the bright colours that are the basis of all colours, the primary colours; red, yellow, and blue. For my fourth colour I would choose black. Some theories say black is the absence of colour and therefore not an actual colour, but I think of black as the colour that complements all other colours and amplifies their importance.”

Have you had any exhibitions?
Jacqui: “Yes, I have only had exhibitions since I started painting full time. My work was on display in a local city hall for the month of August, and exhibited at the New York Art Gallery in Tribeca, NYC.”

Have you had your work published or featured anywhere?
Jacqui: “I was featured on the front page of a local newspaper, and I’m currently a featured artist on NewYorkArt.com.”

Have you received any art awards?
Jacqui: “Yes, not an “official” award per se. I was selected as artist of the month in Sugar Hill, GA for August 2019.”

What is your speciality?
Jacqui: “I’m in love with aspects of pop and neo-pop art styles.”

What materials do you use?
Jacqui: “I typically use acrylic paints that have resin as a main ingredient and alcohol based art markets. I’m also experimenting with alcohol inks and gouache.”

Which artists do you admire?
Jacqui: “I love the elegance of Modigliani’s elongated necks, the illustrative quality of Lichenstein, and the multi dimensional experience of Picasso.”

Jacqui: “As insignificant as we may seem at times we’re all vitally important and we should stand for something. My hope is that racial equality is achieved in my lifetime, and I want my legacy to show that it’s something I care about very deeply.”

Connect with Jacqui here:
jacquim7@gmail.com
JacquiMillerArt.com
Instagram

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