Beyond the Green: Building Perspectives & Layered Emotions Blog by Jordan Miller, March 28 to April 19, 2025 @cre8ery gallery
- Jordan L Miller
- Mar 6
- 6 min read
Updated: May 20
My 2024 exhibition blog concluded with the important question, what came first the chicken or the egg? I hope this story telling of my 2024 year helps answer some of those questions.
After my last exhibition in March 2024, my body decided to give me a health and wellness lesson that I struggled to understand, indicating that I needed to slow down and take it easy for a while.
I paused my creative work and consulting throughout most of the spring and summer, hoping it would somehow lead to feeling better. I was quite assertive with my general practitioner and my endocrinologist, insisting on tests which lead me to another specialist, a diagnosis and the removal of my cysts and organs that had taken up residence in my pelvis.
In August, I realized I needed to resume producing for my exhibition, despite how I was feeling and that's when the concept of Beyond the Green first came to me. The grass is always greener on the other side?
I appreciate the prairie landscape's simplicity in terms of abstraction. When people envision a classic landscape painting, they think of grass, possibly rocks, a line of trees, and blue skies, or perhaps a sunrise or sunset, or a boat on a lake with trees or an island. Whatever comes to mind, people typically have a pre-conceived idea of a traditional landscape painting, incorporating these elements both real places or imagined.
I adore the playful appearance of modern landscape design and have a deep appreciation for nature. Before this exhibition, I seldom incorporated the colour green and still restrict its use to a handful of pieces. This is the reason the exhibition is titled "Beyond the Green." I am captivated by the concept of boundless skies, vast waters, and untamed sunsets. The less green used, the better; however, it is still used.
The first piece created in this series, "Beyond the Green" was due to accidently pouring out too much yellow and blue onto the paper. Quickly, I had to jump into action which is where "Building Perspectives" also came into being.
"Building Perspectives" emerged as I started dividing the landscapes into segments, developing a new approach to working with ink. I manipulated the piece's direction using various mark-making tools. As a result, the ink's flow altered as I aimed to add more definition to the forms.
The third part of the title "Layered Emotions" emerged as I removed the wet layers, leaving the dry ones intact. It was a nod to my healing journey as I began to disclose the reality of my diagnosis to friends, family, and acquaintances. I finished the pieces before surgery, with several uncertainties about what they might discover during the procedure.
As a society, we don't discuss our bodies and medical disabilities openly enough. It's essential to have conversations about these topics to build greater understanding of one's life experiences and what they may be going through. We are blind of other people's truths and experiences and I don't believe that we should hide our realities as if we should be ashamed of who we are and what we are made up of.
Many women I know revealed they had undergone full hysterectomies. Learning this gave me relief, knowing I had support and could ask questions and learn more about the surgical procedure from their experiences. Unfortunately, I faced a more challenging surgery to recover from, and with my other chronic conditions, I realized that I might not be able to finish my show unless I worked hard to complete the work before November 25, 2024. I was fully diagnosed September 16, 2024. A few pieces and varnish, edges & marketing were done after the healing from the procedure began.
As a 45-year-old woman, I am thankful for modern medicine and surgical advancements. The abdominal and pelvic pain I was previously told was normal turned out to be severe Endometriosis along with Adenomyosis and Fibroids. Initially, there was a suspicion of cancer, which was a slight concern when the diagnosis began. It was also when I started working on this series. Creating art helped me forget about my illness and move past some of the challenges I faced. The community support has been incredible from volunteers and friends. Without them, dreams would've been shattered had the gallery closed before their shows.
I've consistently used my art as a way to express myself. Although art can have a therapeutic effect, this series isn't focused on my diagnosis; it's about the emotional balance achieved through creating, living, and experiencing. When you look at my art, let your imagination wander. I've embedded a few images that caught my attention. You might notice Frankenstein, or perhaps you won't! I encourage you to discover what you think might be present. None of it was intentionally designed, but in some instances, I drew out what I could. These are reflections of one's own mindset, similar to psychological inkblots.
I pressed one ink blot against another, and the pieces with "white space" in the exhibition emerged from this experimentation. I love the results and plan to explore this technique further on a smaller scale in the future if others appreciate them.
It's time to engage in meaningful discussions about art and perceptions. As of May 1, 2025, I am closing cre8ery gallery and studio. I've come to understand that, with seven health issues and the current economic situation along with a significant increase in rent, it's time for me to take a break, focus on healing, and begin pursuing my other dreams and life goals.
I started my first gallery business nearly 23 years ago in 2002, when I was almost 22 years old. At that point, I lacked self-confidence and wasn't sure of my capabilities. Encouraged by my peers, I was motivated to grow both as a businessperson and an artist. Although my art school aspirations didn't include building a gallery, it was what Winnipeg needed at the time. I was incredibly naïve about what I was getting into, believing I could be a full-time artist while keeping the gallery open for public enjoyment. I was unaware of the stress and the extensive work involved behind the scenes. Now at 45, with more medical disabilities and complications of those disabilities than I had 23 years ago, it's time for me to release the stress and allow someone to start a business in my location or another, much like I did when I began my very first gallery at age 21.
I've been questioned about my future plans, and to be honest, as I write this, it's too soon to determine exactly which path I will follow. However, I can assure you that I will keep supporting emerging artists of all ages by growing my consulting business. I intend to write a book titled something like, "If the Walls Could Talk: Perspectives of a Gallery Owner and Artist." Additionally, I plan to further my career as an artist by exhibiting in galleries and shows beyond Winnipeg and Manitoba. So if you are a gallery owner reading this, be sure to connect.
My initial plan is to restore my health, pursue appropriate healthcare, and advocate for an accurate diagnosis of some persistent symptoms. I appreciate the support from those who backed the gallery and the artists I collaborated with. I'm thankful for the relationships I've developed and will continue to nurture even without the physical space that 'cre8ery' will soon no longer occupy.
I plan to spend the summer 2025 painting for an upcoming exhibition at Wasagaming Community Arts Centre Juried 150 Year Anniversary Exhibition (August 15 - September 13, 2025) and working on my 16" x 20" pieces for The Interlake Artist Collective's 16" x 20" exhibition (October 3 & 4, 2025). I'm looking forward to expanding our garden and properly setting up the studio in the basement of our home.
I plan to absorb as much vitamin D into my pale skin before I hunker down in the fall and winter of 2025 writing the book! I have a few exhibitions planned for 2025 and 2026. Right now, we will see where the wind carries me.
If you have casual contract work for me, let me know. I have many skills and I'm willing to learn. I'll also be looking to consult with more artists and more organizations and I'll make myself available as a juror for competitions once again.
This is my gallery ownership retirement exhibition as I need to see what the grass is like on the other side.
All but 5 pieces sold, they are now available on my website on the shop page: http://www.jordanlmiller.com/shop
Please click on the Price List PDF for my exhibition list.
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