Young Mother Hoisting Her Son

The style of nickel silver belt around the woman's waist clues the viewer to the likelihood this woman is from the Plains. Utterly joyous as she faces her precious son, his arms are outstretched toward his mother's face, wearing a full smile.

(Born 1936) Vel attended the Art League of Los Angeles, studying under Hal Reed and Max Turner, and she later taught there. An important mentor, Joe DeYong, a protege of Charlie Russell, encouraged and inspired her with stories and love of the Old West.

She taught six oil classes a week for almost ten years until the demand for her art became so great she stopped teaching to devote her time to her work. Vel Miller's house/studio is a chest of treasures that sits atop one of those rolling Central California hills that meander down to the Pacific some 20 miles away. The house, like the artist, is filled with memories of the most important things in life . . . people. Mementos of family, friends and mentors who have enriched her life. Paintings cover the walls and sculptures sit atop antique tables draped with cowhide. Your eye can't travel an inch without encountering some richly patinaed artifact of the Old West . . . the things of which Vel's life is made!

Participating in numerous exhibitions, Vel has earned over 40 "firsts", "Best of Shows" and purchase awards. She has completed several corporate commissions and her work is displayed in museums and public and private collections internationally.

Vel Miller's work was featured in an article published in Southwest Art Magazine in its June 1990 issue. She has her own website www.velmiller.com and the Judith Hale Gallery offers Miller's work for sale in Los Olivos, California.