 This interview & blog post on the beautiful artwork of Shane Miller has been a long time coming .. with my new transition into motherhood, this painting has taken on a whole new meaning for me.. I will share my insights on how I felt about the painting before becoming a mother (written before I gave birth) & how I feel now .. as a mother ♥️. Seeing how differently this painting means to me now vs then makes me realize how much we change as human beings in each stage of life. Allowing ourselves to evolve and transform and bring new meaning to the things around us day to day! BEFORE MOTHERHOOD: I have been in a stage of “moving on” and healing since starting my journey back to myself 8-9 years ago. It can be tough, dark, moody & lonely (most of this painting’s tones) when we do this kind of work. But there is a beam of light that keeps us going (that moon!!)… That light will be constant and will grow and grow with time. I feel like this little beam of a moon with it’s small but powerful glow is my hope .. the rest is what I am / was working through. The beam is me .. my baby boy, my partner, our beautiful life - everything I have achieved and healed the past 8-9 years. We are moving along and leaving everything else behind .. forever changing in this crazy world. I think the bad might look bigger / seem to take up more space - but we (the moon) FEEL bigger, we are more beautiful and enticing and lovely.. we are the most powerful and beautiful part of this photo. The center, the focus, the life! AFTER MOTHERHOOD: Some parts of my old interpretation still follow .. actually, almost all of it! But add on the heftiest change: the death of my old self. Realizing now that motherhood is all consuming. Every minute of everyday you are now something so much more to something so important. You are life to a being that has no way of moving along unless you are there to provide it all. I now understand, I must move on .. I must make peace with the death of the woman I was before becoming the woman I am. Molding a new identity and trust in the mother I am becoming. The toughest and yet easiest journey I have ever taken .. if that makes sense! Tough because I did not realize just how much of myself I would have to leave behind .. but easy because this is everything I have ever wanted and so much more. Being a mother feels 'right' for me... like this was my real purpose all along ♥️ Interview with Shane Miller: Tell us a bit about yourself - past and or current! Hey there! My name is Shane Miller. I was born and raised in the mountains of Maryland, but have since moved to Nashville, TN where I live and work as an artist. When did you start / how? Did you always want to be an artist or did you have a career path change etc? In my childhood, I enjoyed drawing often. Through high school I began working with a watercolor tutor who opened my mind to painting and introduced me to the fundamentals of painting. At the time, painting as a career wasn’t on my radar. I obtained a college degree as a physical therapist assistant and worked in skilled nursing facilities (old folk homes) in Maryland, then eventually Nashville. Through college and the several years that followed, I continued to paint as a hobby. A couple years after moving to Nashville, I ended up leaving my full-time physical therapist career to tour and play guitar for a local country artist. During the year of playing music, I found myself with more time to paint, as well as a newfound interest in pursuing my art. The music gig ended, and I jumped into my career as a full time artist. What was your thought process/meaning behind When We Move On? A common theme in my work is the journey — the journey of emotions, relationships, trials, and so on. It’s hard to say what inspires particular pieces. I work in batches and there’s nearly a half dozen pieces going in the studio at any given time. For myself, painting is a form of meditation. It’s a way to cleanse my mind. What do you think of my interpretation of your work? Do you think it is ok for folks to form their own opinions on what your work means or do you prefer they stick with your titles? I think your interpretation is inline with my mindset while creating that piece. It’s OK for folks to form their own opinions and interpretation. I like to think of my work as a mirror — ultimately the viewer manifests their own emotions when viewing the work. What do you do when you have a creative block / do you have them? I lean into the resistance. I’ve painted five-six days a week for nearly five years so far. I don’t feel inspired every day, and that’s OK. As long as I show up to the studio and try, the work will come. I’ve realized I experience the most profound breakthroughs after those extra tough creative blocks. Head over to Shane's instagram and give him a follow, you won't regret it! He is constantly sharing wisdom and artwork ♥️ 
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