AVANT GUARDIANS By Leticia Gonzales
Artist Jill C. Miller emerged from the tragedy of losing a husband, and channeled that heartache into her art.
From heartbreak, beauty Miller ventures into watercolors, welding, stained glass
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espite having many creative relatives help her hone her artistic skills as a child, Jill C. Miller didn’t become immersed in the field until her first husband died. “When (Paul) passed from a car accident in 1990, I found myself a little lost and at loose ends,” said Miller, who grew up in Iowa but has lived in North Mankato since 1994. “That is when I found the ad in the paper for a watercolor class.” Although Miller studied art for two years at Buena Vista College in Storm Lake, Iowa, her growth didn’t take shape until she took that watercolor class and worked with instructor Jackie May, who soon became a mentor. “I found my art was always something I could turn to 12 • APRIL 2022 • MANKATO MAGAZINE
when I was feeling lost,” said Miller, who will soon turn 60. “It felt like connecting with an old friend again.” She also began experimenting more with her skills. “That is where I first tried the ice crystal freezing thing,” she said. “I would never have thought about trying welding to produce lawn art, but here I am with a flower in my front yard and collecting items I hope to weld into more pieces. I have also become a little less critical of my pieces and more just go for it and see what happens.” Through her mentorship with May, Miller said she also became more familiar with local art shows and art programs. “She was a wealth of information. I was still a little sporadic in working on my art. I would mostly just paint
