We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Judi Miller a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Judi, thanks for taking the time to share your lessons with our community today. So, let’s jump right in – one of the most essential skills for unlocking our potential is self-discipline. Where does your self-discipline come from?
As an artist, working in a home studio, self discipline is the only way to succeed at growing your practice. With no work colleagues in your studio with you, you must find a way to to push your self. If you want to fulfill your creative needs you have to find a way to move forward.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I am a textile artist. I create small detailed works using embroidery, conveying my love of the natural environment around us. From delicate flowers and grasses found along a ditch to delicate fungi enlivening the woods. I create to impart that feeling of comfort and amazement we enjoy in our natural surroundings.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
I feel I am able to use my skill with embroidery as any artist my use their medium, as a painter may use oil or acrylic, or a sculptor with clay or found materials. I think, as an artist, I can find comfort in my abilities but feel the need to push myself, to explore my techniques and opportunities. I often feel I may be out of my depth but find a way to power through a new challenge. Even when I find the result of a new challenge somewhat awkward or not quite right, it will inspire me to rethink and find a way to to better my technique.
Be open to new idea while pushing your technique to be better.
What’s been one of your main areas of growth this year?
My biggest area of grow has big to create my biggest piece. Serendipity played a part. I received a request to produce a piece for the a charitable organization. Most of my embroideries are between 4″x4″ to 6″x12″. The request was to create a piece 3’x5′. I was both honoured and scared to accept the challenge. What a wonderful experience. The design was embraced by the staff and I was set loose to create. Although it took me time to get used to working on such a large piece, I embraced the challenge. I feel this my be a new step in my creative journey.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.judimiller.ca
- Instagram: @jmillertextileart
- Facebook: Judi Miller – textile artist
