Ken Miller
American, 1963
Ken Miller (b. 1963) is an American painter known for his bold, representational style that blends elements of graphic design, Pop art, and visual storytelling. Based in East Hampton, New York, Miller approaches painting as both a visual and tactile experience—an intuitive process shaped by a deep connection to color, form, and space.
“I am a painter, an artist. I am driven to paint and so I do,” he says. “When seeing a blank canvas before me I have an idea of what I want to do with that space before my brush touches it. I never draw or sketch out the thoughts I have. That’s too confining and restrictive. The paint and canvas is a fluid sculpture with hidden delights and pleasure emerging as I go.”
Miller’s compositions often begin with reality—shapes, colors, and textures that captivate him—then evolve into stylized, exaggerated interpretations. He describes his paintings as “sculptures and puzzles,” where each element must visually harmonize with its neighbor. His instinctive use of color and space reflects a sculptural awareness of balance, rhythm, and surface.
Largely self-taught, Miller studied at the Fashion Institute and the School of Visual Arts in New York City. His sense of composition was further honed through years working alongside legendary fashion photographer Ken Haak, whose precision and elegance deeply influenced Miller’s visual approach. Before turning fully to painting, he authored and photographed the acclaimed coffee table book The Hamptons, Long Island’s East End (Rizzoli, 1993), and his photography has appeared in publications such as Town & Country, Vogue Italia, German Vogue, The New York Times, and Tatler. He has also produced work for clients including Banana Republic, Phat Farm, and St. Martin’s Press.
Today, Miller’s paintings are held in private collections across the U.S., where his vibrant, shape-driven works continue to captivate audiences through their balance of spontaneity and structure.
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