Handmade Paper
Environments
About Me
As a child I was consumed by art making. It started as drawing and sketching and then moved to a passion for working with found materials – mostly natural objects such as wood, rocks, and fibers. I enjoyed working them into collages and reliefs. Most of the pieces were small and many do not exist anymore. When I became an art major and started my formal training in art, this love for nature continued. Many times my desire to work with tactile natural objects changed to making drawings and paintings of them. Natural form became the primary subject in my work – no matter what media I explored. The same is true today. Nothing is more beautiful than natural form.
Papermaking is the perfect medium for me to communicate my love for nature. Many of the papermaking techniques lend themselves to exploring the essence of natural form. I can even use the actual object by embedding it into the paper and later embellish it with charcoal or watercolor. Lately I have returned to an earlier purpose for making paper. I make functional paper for painting and drawing. My most recent work combines the functional purposes for paper with the creative drawing and painting techniques.
Teaching papermaking is a joy. It is very rewarding to watch my students find success and think in another direction. The processes and techniques lend themselves to abstract thinking. I believe that this is something that we all need in our lives. We need to think outside of the box and take risks. The studio becomes a think tank. We all learn from each other and share as we explore and try new ideas.
Artist Statement
I began making paper in the 1980s with the intent to create my own working surfaces for drawing and painting. However, after working with various pulps and recycling I quickly moved towards using papermaking as a process or a means to an end. It has now become a medium for my art. The versatility of making paper allows me to use a number of creative techniques, such as laminating and embedding, to express ideas that extend far beyond two-dimensional drawing and painting. My paper readily accepts a variety of media such as charcoal and watercolor. This allows me the opportunity to draw and paint on the surfaces as well as work in relief.
I love manipulating the paper pulp and utilizing as many papermaking techniques and pulps as possible to get my message across. I have become interested in using a variety of pulps such as abaca and kenaf. This deviates from my first passion which is the fiber cotton linter. These pulps combined with creative forming techniques has opened a new avenue for me to express my ideas. The whole process involved in creating my artwork is an exploratory experience for me – one that has created a unique passion.
I think more abstractly when creating what I call paper environments. Most of these pieces are three-dimensional and are combinations of paper casting, layered paper, and collage. I make all of the paper that you see in my artwork whether it is a surface for painting or drawing or colored, textured paper used for collage. I feel free to manipulate the paper completely and include color, texture and embedding. I love nature and I feel compelled to use actual natural objects in my work. You will notice that my paper is very organic and I either use natural objects in the work or create environments that have organic or landscape subject matter.
Many times I work toward developing a series of artworks based on a theme or idea.. In one series, the Bayou Series, I feature a piece titled Black Bayou. In this artwork you see an abstraction of cypress trees and knees enclosed by graphite and black denim. I pushed the paper toward sculpture. I embed sticks, string, rocks, and shells to create texture and organic forms. On the opposite end of the spectrum I designed a series of work that is more painterly and finished. In this series, the Tree Series, I was able to retain some of my love for watercolor and drawing. The Tree of Life is represented in a mixed media artwork including color pigment and charcoal drawing joined by a textural collage of colored paper embellished with charcoal. There is a significant amount of pulp painting in this work as well. Detailed roots from the tree run deep, intersecting, intertwining, and overlapping creating a sense of endless time.
When experiencing my artwork, I want the viewer to feel the energy. I want them to sense the visual and tactile nature of my work. Finally, I want them to respond to the variety of ways that I have explored this process and represented my ideas.
Oak Leaf Studio •Terry, Mississippi • rbm55@icloud.com
About My Art
All of my artwork on this website is made from handmade paper. It was made from a number of fibers and is sized and hand colored. In the beginning, I worked exclusively with cotton linter. More recently I have enjoyed working with abaca, which is banana fiber found in the Philippines and kenaf which is a jute fiber. I also like the strength and texture of black denim and the softness of cotton rag. The combination of these fibers is uplifting and has given me more flexibility to get the tooth that I want in my paper as well as the ability to manipulate paper three-dimensionally.
In an effort to keep the paper pure, I do not dye the pulp or paint on it. You will notice that I do have painterly looking paper. The color in these works is done by pulp painting or laminating. I love to spray the pulp and splash it onto the paper. Many times at the very end of my process I do choose to embellish the paper with metallic watercolor for contrast. Also, on some of my pieces you will notice that I use charcoal. This opened a great experience for me. Charcoal highlights magnifies forms in my compositions. I enjoy contrasting the blackness of charcoal with the highlight of metallic watercolor.
I also work in series. My first series was the “Relic Series.” These paper pieces were based on a search for survival. They appear as remnants left after decay or disintegration. My latest series is the “Nature Quilt” series. In this series of work, nature has provided a form of cover or blanket. They all have a square motif and feature natural objects.
I hope that you enjoy the work. Please feel free to leave any questions or comments.
Randy B. Miley
Randolph (Randy) Benton Miley
1295 Cassidy Road • Terry, Mississippi • 39170 • rbm55@icloud.com
Professional Experience
1999- Professor & Chair, Department of Art. Mississippi College. Clinton, Mississippi.
Studio Art, Art Education Teacher.
1990-1999 Associate Professor of Art, Art Education. University of Louisiana, Monroe.
Monroe, Louisiana. Art Education Coordinator, Teacher, Advisor
1989-1990 Graduate Teaching Assistant in Art Education. Department of Art Education,
The Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida
1986-1989 Secondary Art Teacher, grades 8-12. Keystone Heights Junior/Senior High School.
Keystone Heights, Florida. Art Teacher
1978-1986 Secondary Art Teacher, grades 9-12. Warren Central High School. Vicksburg,
Mississippi. Art Teacher
1979-1983 Adjunct Art Instructor. Hinds Community College: Vicksburg/Warren County Branch. Vicksburg, Mississippi. Art Instructor: Drawing and Painting
1977-1978 Secondary Art Teacher, grades 7-9. Brinkley Junior High School, Jackson Public
Schools. Jackson, Mississippi. Art Teacher
1977 Student Teaching, grades 7-9. Rowan Junior High School, Jackson Public Schools.
Jackson, Mississippi
EDUCATION
1994 Ph.D. Art Education, The Florida State University
Area of Focus: History of Art Education
1982 Master of Education, Art Education. Mississippi College.
Areas of Concentration: Secondary Art Education, Painting
1977 Bachelor of Fine Arts, Art Education. The University of Southern Mississippi
Areas of Concentration: Drawing, Crafts.
1975 Associate of Art Degree, Art. Hinds Community College
Areas of Concentration: Drawing and Painting.
1973 Diploma. Jackson Central High School. Jackson, Mississippi
Additional Study in Art / Art Education at The University of Florida (1986-1988), The University of Louisiana, Monroe (1990), Delta State University (1982), Belhaven University (1976)
PRESENTATIONS
2013 Four Score & Seven Years Ago: Presidential Portraits Tell Stories. (Part I: George Washington). Presentations:
• MAEA October, 2012
• The Clinton DAR December 4, 2012
• The Clinton Historical Society January 4, 2013
2009 American Gothic: Let the Painting Speak. A presentation to Hinds Community College Artsweek, March 31, 2009.
2007 American Gothic: Let the Painting Speak. A presentation to the Mississippi College faculty and guests in conjunction with the Distinguished Humanities Lecturer Award. November 7, 2007.
2007 Visual Art Infusion: Making Curriculum Connections. A presentation to the Jackson Public Schools funded by the Ford Foundation through the Ask4MoreArts Program.
2006 Visual Art Infusion: Making Curriculum Connections. A presentation to the Mississippi Association of School Administrators (MASA). October 16, 2006.
PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
1977 - National Art Education Association (NAEA)
1975 - Mississippi Art Education Association (MAEA)
HONORS
2013 2013 Mississippi College Tribesman Yearbook Dedication
Mississippi College
2011, 2016 Mississippi College London Semester. Faculty member.
2022 Mississippi College.
2010 MAEA Higher Education Division Art Educator of the Year.
Mississippi Art Education Association.
2008 Higher Education Award of Excellence
Mississippi Alliance for Arts in Education
2007 Distinguished Humanities Lecturer
Mississippi College
2007 Humanities Teacher Award
Mississippi Humanities Council
2005 MAEA Higher Education Division Art Educator of the Year.
Mississippi Art Education Association.
2000 MAEA Bill Poirier Outstanding Art Educator of the Year
Mississippi Art Education Association.
1999 Outstanding Contributions Within the Profession.
Louisiana Art Education Association.
1998 Louisiana Roster Artist.
Louisiana Division of the Arts
1997 Distinguished Alumnus for the Department of Art
Mississippi College. Clinton, Mississippi.
1994 LAEA Art Educator of the Year for Higher Education
Louisiana Art Education Association
1985 MAEA Bill Poirier Outstanding Art Educator of the Year
Mississippi Art Education Association/National Art Education Association
1982 Outstanding Fine Arts Faculty Member
Warren Central High School. Vicksburg, Mississippi.
EXHIBITIONS/SHOWS
2021 Eastern Shore Arts Center. Fairhope, Alabama. February 2021)
2019 MC Faculty Show, Pinehurst Rathskeller Art Gallery. Laurel, Mississippi. Summer 2019
2019 Greenville Arts Council, Greenville, Mississippi. January 2019 (Miley, Jolly, Busbea)
2011 British Connection: An Exhibition by the London Semester Class of 2011. July 18 –
September 2. Gore Galleries Student Gallery. Curated and exhibited a body of work by students participating in the spring 2011 MC London Semester.
2010 100 Alumni Artists Exhibition. October 2010. University of Southern Mississippi. Woods
Gallery, USM Department of Art.
2004 Coming Home. An exhibition of work by Randy and Vicky Miley at the Marie Hull
Gallery, Hinds Community College. Raymond, MS. January 20 - February 20, 2004.
1999 Shrines '99. An invitation exhibition hosted by the Attic Gallery, Vicksburg, Mississippi.
1999 One person exhibition. Deposit Guaranty National, Bank, Jackson, Mississippi, August,
1999.
1998 2 Approaches 2 Nature. Snyder Museum, Bastrop, Louisiana. An exhibition of
handmade paper by Randy Miley and sculpture by Cliff Tresner.
1998 25th Annual Juried Art Exhibition. Masur Museum/Twin City Art Foundation. Two
25th Annual Juried Art Exhibition. Two artworks accepted.
1997 Transitions: A Search for Significance. Distinguished Alumnus Award exhibition of
watercolors and handmade paper. Samuel Marshall Gore Gallery, Mississippi College. Clinton, Mississippi.
1997 NLU Art Faculty Traveling Exhibition. The Snyder Museum. Bastrop, Louisiana.
1991- Annual Northeast Louisiana University Art Faculty Shows.
1980- Attic Gallery exhibiting artist. Vicksburg, Mississippi.
1978-1994 Vicksburg Art Association's Fall and Spring Exhibitions.
1979-1985 Artist's Five Gallery exhibiting artist. Ridgeland, Mississippi.
1984 Annual Student Exhibition, Mississippi College
1982 Featured artist, Belmont Gallery. Vicksburg, Mississippi.
1980 Featured artist, Vicksburg/Warren County Library.
1979 Featured artist, Southern Interiors. Vicksburg, Mississippi.
1975 USM Student Show, Gulf South Gallery. McComb, Mississippi.
1973-1975 Annual Student Exhibitions, Marie Hull Gallery. Hinds Community College.
Raymond, Mississippi.
PERMANENT COLLECTIONS
Mississippi College Kenneth M. Quinn Permanent Collection
Deposit Guaranty National Bank of Greenville, Mississippi
Deposit Guaranty National Bank of Vicksburg, Mississippi
Merchant's National Bank of Vicksburg, Mississippi
Coca-Cola Company of Vicksburg, Mississippi
Deposit Guaranty National Bank of Vicksburg, Mississippi
Cassino's Florist of Vicksburg, Mississippi
The Vision Clinic of Vicksburg, Mississippi
Mississippi Commissioner of Agriculture, Jackson, Mississippi
Hinds Community College Permanent Collection