Vel Miller, Mi Viegjo Amigo, oil, 8x10, $1,100

Vel Miller

In painting and sculpting, Vel concentrates on the more emotional view of the West. Vel says, "The most rugged and strongest people I've known have also been the kindest and most loving. This is the feeling I try to portray. I want the person who views my work to see something they have experienced themselves, or to feel a mood that brings them happiness Participating in numerous exhibitions, Vel has earned over 40 "Firsts", "Best of show" and "Purchase awards". She has completed several corporate commissions. Her work is displayed in museums and public and private collections internationally. She and her artwork have been featured in "Contemporary Western Artists", several editions of "Southwest Art" and "Art of the West" magazines. She is currently listed in "Who's Who in American Art", "Who's Who in the West", "Who's Who of American Women", and "An Encyclopedia of Women Artists of the American West".

Vel was commissioned to do the drawings on Western Horseman's Cowboy Calendars for 1997, 98, 99, and 2000 and has recently illustrated and created covers for several books. Vel was in a show in Sorrento, Italy in September 2000, with The American Women Artist, an artist group of which she is a founding member. The Mayor of Sorrento purchased one of her paintings. Vel and her husband Warren own a Central Coast ranch where Vel uses for models and inspiration the Texas Longhorn Cattle, Beef Cattle and American Quarter Horses they raise, train & sell.