The thing I love most about Fiona Miller’s work? The way it’s both detailed and sketchy at the same time; buildings are intricately drawn out, but they still retain Fiona’s sketchy, painterly style. Her fascination with architecture has taken her to numerous cities around the world where she has immortalised a range of famous buildings in beautiful watercolour paintings. I’m sure you will love it as much as I do!
Your style is very unique – how did this develop?
I have always loved to draw, but my style really developed in architecture school. There was a great emphasis on allowing your hand to become an extension of your brain – being able to draw and paint what you can see with your eyes, but also what you are visualising in your mind (observation and design.) I spent many many hours doing both!
Let’s talk about process. What steps do you take when creating each piece?
When starting a new project, ideally I would explore the site and spend some time just watching the activity, looking at the way the light changes, the way the colours change and figuring out interesting shapes and compositions. Ink pen sketches would follow from this – and then a more fully fleshed out painting. Right now however…. I have a young son and another baby on the way….and things tend to get a little more squeezed! More happens from home, on my easel. I have a bright sunny corner of the house, where I can drink a cup of coffee and think about what I am doing.
It’s obvious travel is a huge inspiration for your work.Where has been your favourite place to paint?
In the States, I love Charleston, SC. It is such a bright and colourful place, full of life. Otherwise – Italy. Just about anywhere in Italy.
Aside from travel, what inspires your work?
Architecture history is one of my favourite subjects. I love seeing the rabbit-trail of design influences throughout history. You can map (more or less) the way architects and artists have been inspired by other buildings through the ages, from the pyramids to the newest skyscraper. In my art work I try to pay attention to details in buildings that might be otherwise overlooked.
What do you hope your pieces tell the viewer about the places they depict?
I hope to capture something of the life of the space – not just the architecture, or street scape, but something of the vibrancy that only exists because of the people who live there.
Why do you paint whilst you travel?
Primarily – I enjoy it! I find it very relaxing.
If you could paint anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?
There are too many places on my hit list…. San Francisco is one city I hope to visit next. But if I had unlimited resources, I would travel all the way around the Mediterranean Sea. I would take a trip starting in Spain, then through Italy, Greece, Turkey.. and all the way round the North Africa coast. These cultures are so varied, so full of history that there is always something to discover.
Finally, do you have any tips for readers who might be interested in painting whilst they travel?
Find a good sketchbook, that you can have to hand wherever you are. Always keep your eyes open for things that interest you, no matter how small or big.
You can see more of Fiona’s work on her website.
What do you like about Fiona’s work? Have you been to any of the places in Fiona’s paintings? Let us know in the comments below!
