Left – Robert F Allen, and Right – Kevin L Miller, of ALLEN MILLER ARTS
Beaded masks from Robert’s “Spirit & Nature” series, and compositions from Kevin’s “Eternal Truths” series are now available as 5″ x 7″ cards, blank inside, and 13″ x 19″ signed posters. FREE SHIPPING in the USA from our online Etsy shop: https://www.etsy.com/shop/AllenMillerArts
THE ARTWORKS OF ROBERT F ALLEN & KEVIN L MILLER ARE NOW AVAILABLE AS AFFORDABLE GREETING CARDS, POSTERS, & PRINTS. VISIT OUR ETSY SHOP: Click on any photo to go directly to our Etsy shop, offering all of these items: https://www.etsy.com/shop/AllenMillerArts or email us directly at Kevin@AllenMillerArts.com &/or KLMillerIF@hotmail.com .
THE ART OF ROBERT F ALLEN IS NOW AVAILABLE AS 5″ X 7″ GREETING CARDS (BLANK INSIDE,) AND 13″ X 19″ SIGNED POSTERS & PRINTS:
“SPIRIT AND NATURE” SERIES of Cards, and signed Posters and Prints by Robert F Allen
SNOW LEOPARD – beaded mask by Robert F Allen, photographed in nature to create this 5″ x 7″ greeting card, blank inside, or 13″ x 19″ signed poster. FREE SHIPPING in the USA from our Etsy shop: https://www.etsy.com/shop/AllenMillerArts
MOOSE – beaded mask by Robert F Allen, photographed in nature to create this 5″ x 7″ greeting card, blank inside. FREE SHIPPING in the USA from our Etsy shop: https://www.etsy.com/shop/AllenMillerArts
POLAR BEAR in STREAM – beaded mask by Robert F Allen, photographed in nature to create this 5″ x 7″ greeting card, blank inside, or 13″ x 19″ signed poster. FREE SHIPPING in the USA from our Etsy shop: https://www.etsy.com/shop/AllenMillerArts
GIRAFFE – beaded mask by Robert F Allen, photographed in nature to create this 5″ x 7″ greeting card, blank inside, or 13″ x 19″ signed poster. FREE SHIPPING in the USA from our Etsy shop: https://www.etsy.com/shop/AllenMillerArts
MAGIC RAINBOW BEAR – beaded mask by Robert F Allen, photographed in nature to create this 5″ x 7″ greeting card, blank inside, or 13″ x 19″ signed poster. FREE SHIPPING in the USA from our Etsy shop: https://www.etsy.com/shop/AllenMillerArts
POLAR BEAR in SNOW – beaded mask by Robert F Allen, photographed in nature to create this 5″ x 7″ greeting card, blank inside, or 13″ x 19″ signed poster. FREE SHIPPING in the USA from our Etsy shop: https://www.etsy.com/shop/AllenMillerArts
TIGER – beaded mask by Robert F Allen, photographed in nature to create this 5″ x 7″ greeting card, blank inside, or 13″ x 19″ signed poster. FREE SHIPPING in the USA from our Etsy shop: https://www.etsy.com/shop/AllenMillerArts
GANESHA – beaded mask by Robert F Allen, photographed in nature to create this 5″ x 7″ greeting card, blank inside, or 13″ x 19″ signed poster. FREE SHIPPING in the USA from our Etsy shop: https://www.etsy.com/AllenMillerArts
KOKO – beaded mask by Robert F Allen, photographed in nature to create this 5″ x 7″ greeting card, blank inside, or 13″ x 19″ signed poster. FREE SHIPPING in the USA from our Etsy shop: https://www.etsy.com/shop/AllenMillerArts
RHINO – beaded mask by Robert F Allen, photographed in nature to create this 5″ x 7″ greeting card, blank inside, or 13″ x 19″ signed poster. FREE SHIPPING in the USA from our Etsy shop: https://www.etsy.com/shop/AllenMillerArts
Robert F Allen with his beaded mask, RHINO, in his woods in South Central Pennsylvania, where he and Kevin L Miller live and work
Mix and match Kevin’s &/or Robert’s designs in sets of nine cards. FREE SHIPPING in the USA from: https://www.etsy.com/shop/AllenMillerArts
ROBERT F ALLEN TEXTURED PAINTINGS SERIES reproduced as cards, posters & prints
ESCAPE! – 5×7 ft textured painting by Robert F Allen, reproduced as a 5″ x 7″ greeting card, blank inside, or 13″ x 19″ poster. FREE SHIPPING in the USA from our Etsy shop: https://www.etsy.com/shop/AllenMillerArts
A WINTER WALK – 4×8 ft textured painting by Robert F Allen, reproduced as a 5″ x 7″ greeting card, blank inside, or 13″ x 19″ signed poster. FREE SHIPPING in the USA from our Etsy shop: https://www.etsy.com/shop/AllenMillerArts
MATTER of the HEART – 4×7 ft textured painting by Robert F Allen, reproduced as a 5″ x 7″ card, blank inside, or a 13″ x 19″ signed print (unframed.) FREE SHIPPING in the USA from: https://www.etsy.com/shop/AllenMillerArts
TREE TAG – 4×7 ft textured painting by Robert F Allen, reproduced as a 5″ x 7″ greeting card, blank inside, or 13″ x 19″ poster. FREE SHIPPING in the USA from our Etsy shop: https://www.etsy.com/shop/AllenMillerArts
THE ART OF KEVIN L MILLER IS NOW AVAILABLE AS 5″ X 7″ GREETING CARDS (BLANK INSIDE,) AND 13″ X 19″ POSTERS & PRINTS:
“ETERNAL TRUTHS” SERIES of Cards, and signed Posters and Prints by Kevin L Miller
“ETERNAL TRUTHS” Series by Kevin L Miller – available as 5″ x 7″ cards, blank inside, or an 18″ x 24″ signed poster, pictured above, of all nine images, or a 13″ x 19″ signed posters of each individual image. FREE SHIPPING in the USA from our Etsy shop: https://www.etsy.com/shop/AllenMillerArts
LOVE – iPad Pro art by Kevin L Miller, reproduced as a 5″ x 7″ greeting card, blank inside, or 13″ x 19″ signed poster. FREE SHIPPING in the USA from our Etsy shop: https://www.etsy.com/shop/AllenMillerArts
PEACE – iPad Pro art by Kevin L Miller, reproduced as a 5″ x 7″ greeting card, blank inside, or 13″ x 19″ signed poster. FREE SHIPPING in the USA from our Etsy shop: https://www.etsy.com/shop/AllenMillerArts
WISDOM – iPad Pro art by Kevin L Miller, reproduced as a 5″ x 7″ greeting card, blank inside, or 13″ x 19″ signed poster. FREE SHIPPING in the USA from our Etsy shop: https://www.etsy.com/shop/AllenMillerArts
TRUTH – iPad Pro art by Kevin L Miller, reproduced as a 5″ x 7″ greeting card, blank inside, or 13″ x 19″ signed poster. FREE SHIPPING in the USA from our Etsy shop: https://www.etsy.com/shop/AllenMillerArts
JOY – iPad Pro art by Kevin L Miller, reproduced as a 5″ x 7″ greeting card, blank inside, or 13″ x 19″ signed poster. FREE SHIPPING in the USA from our Etsy shop: https://www.etsy.com/shop/AllenMillerArts
GRATITUDE – iPad Pro art by Kevin L Miller, reproduced as a 5″ x 7″ greeting card, blank inside, or 13″ x 19″ signed poster. FREE SHIPPING in the USA from our Etsy shop: https://www.etsy.com/shop/AllenMillerArts
HOPE – iPad Pro art by Kevin L Miller, reproduced as a 5″ x 7″ greeting card, blank inside, or 13″ x 19″ signed poster. FREE SHIPPING in the USA from our Etsy shop: https://www.etsy.com/shop/AllenMillerArts
ETERNITY – iPad Pro art by Kevin L Miller, reproduced as a 5″ x 7″ greeting card, blank inside, or 13″ x 19″ signed poster. FREE SHIPPING in the USA from our Etsy shop: https://www.etsy.com/shop/AllenMillerArts
CREATIVITY – iPad Pro art by Kevin L Miller, reproduced as a 5″ x 7″ greeting card, blank inside, or 13″ x 19″ signed poster. FREE SHIPPING in the USA from our Etsy shop: https://www.etsy.com/shop/AllenMillerArts
“SPECIFIC SITUATIONS” SERIES of Cards, and signed Posters and Prints by Kevin L Miller. The posters and prints are available with or without words as part of the compositions.
SORRY – iPad Pro art by Kevin L Miller, reproduced as a 5″ x 7″ card, blank inside, or 13″ x 19″ signed poster, with or without words. FREE SHIPPING in the USA from our Etsy shop: https://www.etsy.com/shop/AllenMillerArts
IT’S YOUR DAY… Have a Great Birthday!! – iPad Pro art by Kevin L Miller reproduced as a 5″ x 7″ card, blank inside, or 13″ x 19″ signed poster, with our without words. FREE SHIPPING in the USA: https://www.etsy.com/shop/AllenMillerArts
I LOVE YOU! – iPad Pro art by Kevin L Miller, reproduced as a 5″ x 7″ card, blank inside, or 13″ x 19″ signed poster, with or without words. FREE SHIPPING in the USA from our Etsy shop: https://www.etsy.com/shop/AllenMillerArts
PARTY!! – iPad Pro art by Kevin L Miller, reproduced as a 5″ x 7″ card, blank inside, or 13″ x 19″ signed poster, with or without words. FREE SHIPPING in the USA from our Etsy shop: https://www.etsy.com/shop/AllenMillerArts
LIFE GOES ON… But I Miss You!… – iPad Pro art by Kevin L Miller reproduced as a 5″ x 7″ card, blank inside, or 13″ x 19″ signed poster, with our without words. FREE SHIPPING in the USA: https://www.etsy.com/shop/AllenMillerArts
YOU DID IT! Congratulations! – iPad Pro art by Kevin L Miller, reproduced as a 5″ x 7″ card, blank inside, or 13″ x 19″ signed poster, with or without words. FREE SHIPPING in the USA from our Etsy shop: https://www.etsy.com/shop/AllenMillerArts
FEEL BETTER SOON! – iPad Pro art by Kevin L Miller reproduced as a 5″ x 7″ card, blank inside, or 13″ x 19″ signed poster, with our without words. FREE SHIPPING in the USA: https://www.etsy.com/shop/AllenMillerArts
SINCERE SYMPATHY – iPad Pro art by Kevin L Miller reproduced as a 5″ x 7″ card, blank inside, or 13″ x 19″ signed poster, with our without words. FREE SHIPPING in the USA: https://www.etsy.com/shop/AllenMillerArts
THANK YOU! – iPad Pro art by Kevin L Miller reproduced as a 5″ x 7″ card, blank inside, or 13″ x 19″ signed poster, with our without words. FREE SHIPPING in the USA: https://www.etsy.com/shop/AllenMillerArts
5″ x 7″ HOLIDAY CARDS, BLANK INSIDE, BY KEVIN L MILLER, also available as 13″ x 19″ signed posters
ANGELS OF OUR BETTER NATURE – iPad Pro holiday card by Kevin L Miller reproduced as a 5″ x 7″ card, blank inside, or 13″ x 19″ signed poster. FREE SHIPPING in the USA: https://www.etsy.com/shop/AllenMillerArts
SILENT NIGHT – iPad Pro holiday card by Kevin L Miller, reproduced as a 5″ x 7″ card, blank inside, or 13″ x 19″ signed poster. FREE SHIPPING in the USA from: https://www.etsy.com/shop/AllenMillerArts
SAINT NICHOLAS – iPad Pro holiday card by Kevin L Miller, reproduced as a 5″ x 7″ card, blank inside, or 13″ x 19″ signed poster. FREE SHIPPING in the USA from: https://www.etsy.com/shop/AllenMillerArts
KEVIN L MILLER 13″ x 19″ SIGNED ART PRINTS AND 5″ x 7″ CARDS, REPRODUCED FROM ORIGINAL PAINTINGS AND DRAWINGS
OUTCROPPINGS – iPad Pro art by Kevin L Miller, reproduced as a 5″ x 7″ greeting card, blank inside, or a 13″ x 19″ signed print (unframed.) FREE SHIPPING in the USA from: https://www.etsy.com/shop/AllenMillerArts
OAK LEAVES – iPad Pro art by Kevin L Miller, reproduced as a 5″ x 7″ greeting card, blank inside, or a 13″ x 19″ signed print (unframed.) FREE SHIPPING in the USA from: https://www.etsy.com/shop/AllenMillerArts
PENNSYLVANIA LANDSCAPE – 2×4 ft oil painting by Kevin L Miller, reproduced as a 5″ x 7″ greeting card, blank inside, or a 13″ x 19″ signed print (unframed.) FREE SHIPPING in the USA from: https://www.etsy.com/shop/AllenMillerArts
AUTUMN SPLENDOR – iPad Pro art by Kevin L Miller, reproduced as a 5″ x 7″ greeting card, blank inside, or a 13″ x 19″ signed print (unframed.) FREE SHIPPING in the USA from: https://www.etsy.com/shop/AllenMillerArts
FIREBIRD VISITS the ELDERS (permanent collection of Mannheim Township Public Library) – 3 x 4 ft canvas by Robert F Allen and Kevin L Miller, reproduced as a 5″ x 7″ greeting card, blank inside, or a 13″ x 19″ signed print (unframed.) FREE SHIPPING in the USA from: https://www.etsy.com/shop/AllenMillerArts
13″ x 19″ SIGNED ENVIRONMENTAL POSTERS BY KEVIN L MILLER
13″ x 19″ signed environmental posters by Kevin L Miller. FREE SHIPPING in the USA from: https://www.etsy.com/shop/AllenMillerArts
13″ x 19″ signed environmental posters by Kevin L Miller. FREE SHIPPING in the USA from: https://www.etsy.com/shop/AllenMillerArts
Kevin L Miller with some of his 13″ X 19″ signed environmental posters. FREE SHIPPING in the USA from https://www.etsy.com/shop/AllenMillerArts
THE ARTWORKS OF ROBERT F ALLEN & KEVIN L MILLER ARE NOW AVAILABLE AS AFFORDABLE GREETING CARDS, POSTERS, & PRINTS. VISIT OUR ETSY SHOP: Click on any photo above to go directly to our Etsy shop, offering all of these items: https://www.etsy.com/shop/AllenMillerArts or email us directly at Kevin@AllenMillerArts.com &/or KLMillerIF@hotmail.com
“SPIRIT and NATURE” Series by Robert F Allen
April 1, 2017
“Magic Rainbow Bear” by Robert F Allen
“Tiger” by Robert F Allen
“Ganesha” by Robert F Allen
“Koko” by Robert F Allen
Koko’s New Year Message:
“I am gorilla
I am flowers, animals
I am nature
Man… Man Koko love
Earth Koko love
But man stupid… Stupid!
Koko sorry… Koko cry
Time hurry!
Fix Earth! Help Earth!
Hurry! Protect Earth!
Nature see you
Thank you.”
“Giraffe” by Robert F Allen
“Polar Bear” by Robert F Allen
“Snow Leopard” by Robert F Allen
Robert F Allen beads one of the antlers for his new “Moose,” while Joe the Yorkie lends moral support under the table.
“Moose” by Robert F Allen
ETERNAL TRUTHS SERIES by Kevin L Miller
March 7, 2017
I offer my series of “Eternal Truths,” signed original digital art prints, because it is time to affirm the fundamental values that unite all of humanity.
“LOVE” by Kevin L Miller, 2016
“WISDOM” by Kevin L Miller, 2016
“HOPE” by Kevin L Miller, 2016
“PEACE” by Kevin L Miller, 2016
“JOY” by Kevin L Miller, 2016
“CREATIVITY” by Kevin L Miller, 2016
“Truth” by Kevin L Miller, 2017
“GRATITUDE” by Kevin L Miller, 2017
“ETERNITY” by Kevin L Miller, 2017
The “Eternal Truths Series” of original digital art prints are available as a set of 5″ x 7″ signed prints in an 18″ x 24″ frame, or as signed individual prints – 5″x 7″ or 8″x 10″ or 13″x19″ all printed on heavy glossy photo paper.
“Let’s Save Our Pretty Pretty Planet!” at Manheim Township Public Library, April 1 – May 29, 2015
April 5, 2015
Art by Kevin L Miller
Here are some images from “Let’s Save Our Pretty Pretty Planet!” an art exhibit at Manheim Township Public Library, April 1 – May 29, 2015. Drive one mile north of Rt 30 on Fruitville Pike, turn right on Granite Run Drive at the Overlook Park Sign to 595 Granite Run Drive, Lancaster, PA 17601. Call the library at 717-560-6441 to ask if the Morgan Center (Kevin’s show) will be occupied or open to the public when you plan to visit, but Robert F. Allen and Kevin L Miller are exhibiting 65 – 70 major works of art throughout the entire library. Half of those will remain in place after May 29. When you visit, ask library director Katrina Anderson for a free signed poster, “Art Can Help Us!”
“The Tipping Point is at Hand,” Kevin L Miller, 2007, signed poster $15 + shipping
![Miller Save Our Mother Earth dark bgrnd poster 14[1]](https://kevinmillerartandjunk.files.wordpress.com/2015/04/miller-save-our-mother-earth-dark-bgrnd-poster-141.jpg)
“Save Mother Earth,” Kevin L Miller, 2014, 13×19″ signed posters $15 + shipping
“Free Our Mother Earth,” Kevin L Miller, 2015, 13×19″ signed posters $15 + shipping
“Don’t Mess with Mother Earth!” Kevin L Miller, 2014, 13×19″ poster $15 + shipping
“Poseidon’s Prophecy,” Kevin L Miller, 2013, 13×19″ poster $15 + shipping
“St. Nicholas and the Earth” Kevin L Miller, 2007, 13×19″ unframed poster $15 + shipping
“Pig and Giraffe” Kevin L Miller, 2004, unframed signed 13×19″ poster $15 + shipping
“Let’s Save Our Kids, Cows, Birdies, Piglets and Polar Cubs” Kevin L Miller, 2014, unframed signed 13×19″ poster $15 + shipping
“The Dog People Remember the Colonel” Kevin L Miller 2011, unframed signed 13×19″ poster $15 + shipping
“Requiem” Kevin L Miller, 2013, 13×19″ poster with title and subtitle $15 + shipping
“Hawaii” Kevin L Miller 1990, framed signed poster with water bottle flowers $1,000 + shipping
“Hawaii” Kevin L Miller, 1990, unframed signed poster $15 + shipping
“Drought and Gathering Storm” Kevin L Miller, 2013, unframed poster $15 + shipping
“Drought and Gathering Storm” Kevin L Miller, 2013, inkjet print $15 + shipping
“The Musician and the Tree of Life” Kevin L Miller, 2013, signed poster $15 + shipping
Left: “Global Warming Apocalypse” Kevin L Miller 2013, unframed poster $15 + shipping
Right: Utopia with Stinky and Squeak” Kevin L Miller 2013, unframed poster $15 + shipping
“Time’s Up!” Kevin L Miller, 2011, unframed signed poster $15 + shipping
“Wings and Sails” Kevin L Miller, 1995, unframed signed poster $15 + shipping
“Mountains and Pines” Kevin L Miller, 1995, unframed signed poster $15 + shipping
“Profit and Sustainability” Kevin L Miller, 2014, unframed signed poster $15 + shipping
“Panther Warns the Others” Robert F Allen and Kevin L Miller, 2004, unframed signed poster $15 + shipping
“Angels of Our Better Nature” Kevin L Miller, 2007, unframed signed poster $15 + shippiing
“Farms and Gardens” Kevin L Miller, c 1980, unframed signed poster $15 + shipping
“Help Johnny Appleseed…” Kevin L Miller 1970 & 2011, signed poster $15 + postage
“The Revelations of Eve and Adam” Kevin L Miller, 2004,signed poster $15 + shipping
“Calla Lily Garden” Kevin L Miller, 2011, unframed signed poster $15 + shipping
“Pennsylvania Landscape” Kevin L Miller, 1969, unframed signed poster $15 + shipping
“Pennsylvania Landscape” Kevin L Miller, 1969, unframed signed print $15 + shipping
“The Old Mill in Florida” Kevin L Miller, 1970, 13×19″, optional headline, $15 + postage
“Aix-en-Provence” Kevin L Miller, 1970, 13×19″, optional headline, $15 + shipping
“Woodland Spirit Guides” Kevin Miller, 2010, optional headline, 13×19″ print $15 + shipping
“Firebird Visits the Elders” Robert F Allen and Kevin L Miller, 2010, headline optional, $15 + shipping
“Captain Agape and the Children of Tomorrow” Kevin L Miller, 2010, optional headline, 13×19″ poster $15 + shipping
by Kevin L. Miller
above: “The Tipping Point,” digital poster by Kevin L Miller, 2015
In his wonderful blog post “GOOD NEWS, BAD NEWS: How Optimistic Are You When It Comes to Climate Change?” Feb 27, 2015, at http://TwoOldLiberals.com , Paul Lewis expressed the way so many of us, including me, feel about our prospects for addressing the existential threat of global warming: “If you’re like me, you oscillate back and forth between depression and a guarded though still hopeful optimism when it comes to global climate change.” Paul recaps five hopeful trends reported in the Environmental Defense Fund’s “Solutions” magazine article, “A Plan for Climate Stability:”
- The November China/USA plan to limit global warming pollutants
- 10 years of industrial emissions decline
- A strong increase in clean energy adoption
- The existence of cheap technology to cut methane emissions by 40%
- Overwhelming support for climate action among young voters
It may be more than the young who support climate action according to a striking 2015 poll published in the New York Times about a month ago. The New York Times / Stanford University / Resources for the Future poll was conducted January 7-22 with 1006 adults and has a margin of error of plus or minus four percentage points. The New York Times reported:
“The poll found that 83% of Americans, including 61% of Republicans and 86% of independents say that if nothing is done to reduce emissions, global warming will be a very or somewhat serious problem in the future.”
77% of Americans say that the Federal government should be doing a substantial amount to combat climate change — 90% of Democrats, 78% of independents, and 48% of Republicans said the government should be fighting climate change.
These results can be compared with Stanford University’s 2011 poll that asked if people believed climate change was caused by human activity. In 2011 72% believed that it was at least in part due to human activity. In this new poll 81% felt that it was. That’s a leap of nine percentage points in four years. If you believe that mass social and behavioral change of the magnitude required by this climate crisis must proceed largely from the grass roots up, then you will feel heartened, as I do, to know that we seem to be approaching a tipping point.
You know what a “tipping point” is: In chemistry, we know that some liquids will suddenly turn solid by adding the right catalyst. But we wonder how much catalyst is required. So we start adding the catalyst drop by drop until, BOOM! Suddenly the liquid turns solid! The same thing can happen with mass consciousness. We may be very close to the day when one more person will wake up to the moral imperative to take action on climate change, and BOOM! Mass consciousness will be solidly united in demanding that governments, corporations, the fossil fuel industry, all sectors of business, and all individual human beings make the changes required to arrest and reverse global warming.
above: “Poseidon’s Prophecy,” 4×7 ft oil on canvas by Kevin L Miller, 2013 – poster, 2015
My tipping point optimism may seem like a fantasy to many people. It is partly based in a current practical example that proves the possibility of unlikely sudden change in mass consciousness. My wonderful, talented, handsome partner Robert and I have lived together for over 18 years, and until very recently we would never have dared to imagine that we might be able to become legally married. But it happened last June. The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania made same-sex marriage legal and we were wed by an ordained minister of the faith in which I was raised, in the best and most fun wedding either of us has ever attended. If you had told us just a year earlier that this would happen, we would have said you were crazy. It became possible because mass consciousness reached a tipping point on the issue of same-sex marriage. Public policy can shift and group behavior can change direction very suddenly, like a flock of birds, when just enough catalyst is added to change one more mind.
“The Revelations of Eve and Adam,” 16″x20″ acrylic on canvas by Kevin L Miller, 2003 – poster produced in 2015
In his insightful Feb 27, 2015 “GOOD NEWS, BAD NEWS” post on http://TwoOldLiberals.com Paul Lewis also recaps the Environmental Defense Fund’s recommendations for ways in which we can all help combat climate change:
- Make your home as energy-efficient as possible. (I’d add your work place, too.)
- Reduce, reuse, recycle.
- Buy gas efficient vehicles, walk, bike, and take public transportation.
- Wash dishes/clothes in cold or warm water — not hot. (I’d add: use a clothesline.)
- Sign up for EDF action alerts to stay engaged at every level — Federal, state, and local ( www.edf.org/climateupdates .)
Paul is absolutely right to point out that EDF has neglected to mention the imperative of population control in combating climate change. The Earth is grievously overpopulated and buckling under our weight. We must adopt zero population growth behaviors — no couple should have more than two children. But we must also reduce the population of domesticated animals — a huge factor in our collective carbon footprint. One of the most effective things anyone can do, therefore, to combat climate change, is to become a vegetarian or vegan, or at least make the effort to eat less meat and fewer dairy products. Even if we all eliminated meat from our diets for just one or two days a week, it would make a huge difference.
above: “Free Our Mother Earth,” digital poster by Kevin L Miller, 2015
The main suggestion I’d like to add to the list of ways everyone can help, is just that we all consider becoming willing to talk about global warming openly, and do something — anything — about it. Let’s all ask ourselves three questions:
- What CAN I do?
- What am I WILLING to do?
- What am I QUALIFIED to do?
Make a list of actions that fit all three criteria and then choose some of those things to do, and start… one step at a time. TELL others about what you have decided to do and why. How can we begin to feel more optimistic about stopping global warming?… By taking creative action… By adding more catalyst to the solution, drop by drop, until one more drop finally brings mass consciousness to the tipping point and humanity suddenly lines up solidly behind the moral imperative to stop climate change for the children of tomorrow.
Center detail from “Escape!” — a 4×7 ft acrylic painting on canvas by Robert F Allen, 2013
Manheim Township Public Library presents:
“PLEASE TOUCH THE ART!… Texture is Part of the Experience”
70 large textured paintings by Robert F Allen
Exhibition Dates: Dec 10, 2013 – Feb 28, 2014
M-W 10-8; Th-Fri 10-5; Sat 9-4; Sun closed
Jen and Viviana Arnold enjoy touching Robert’s paintings
Yes! Robert does want you to touch the art!
Bring your friends and family for this rare chance to “see” the art with your fingers as well as your eyes.
Robert F Allen with his 4×7 ft acrylic painting on canvas, “Matter of the Heart,” 2013
You Are Invited to the ARTIST’S RECEPTION:
Friday, Jan 10, 2014, 5:30 – 9 pm
Meet the artist and touch the art!
FREE Wine, soft drinks, food, live music and 70 large paintings throughout the library. Bring a carload of friends and make a party of it!
“Meeting,” 4×8 ft acrylic on canvas, Robert F Allen, 2013
Get your photo taken with this group!
Manheim Township Public Library is easy to find
Manheim Township Public Library is located in OverlookPark, just north of Lancaster. From Route 30 drive northwest on Fruitville Pike about a mile. Turn right at the Overlook Park sign to 595 Granite Run Drive, Lancaster, PA17601 — 717-560-6441
1,600 school children, K – 3rd grade, visited“PLEASE TOUCH THE ART!” when the exhibit was on display at Manchester University, Indiana, Fall, 2013. Now the exhibition has expanded to 70 large paintings on display at Manheim Township Public Library.
Groups of kids love to visit “PLEASE TOUCH THE ART!” and feel the deep texture of the paintings. They often bring their parents back for a second visit.
“Outsider Artist” Robert F. Allen grew up with his pet raccoon in a tiny cabin that he built behind his family home deep in the woods, 50 miles north of Syracuse, NY. A self-taught artist from birth, Robert graduated with honors and won a full scholarship in architecture to SyracuseUniversity. Instead, he decided to attend the “university of the world” by serving in the U.S. Marine Corps for eight years, living in Japan, Bangladesh, The Philippines, and U.S.Today Robert lives and paints on 12 acres deep in the woods near the Susquehanna River, with an art studio, a 150-year-old barn art gallery, and a small cottage. He has a special connection with animals. 100 large colorful koi live in his half-acre pond. He walks along the stream with his five dogs. Eight tropical birds live in his painting studio.
Scroll down in this blog through the previous several posts to learn more about Robert F. Allen and his exciting “outsider art.” And don’t miss this opportunity to attend a museum-scale art exhibition and actually run your hands over the paintings. Who knows how long it will be before another artist invites you to “PLEASE TOUCH THE ART!”
Kids especially enjoy putting their own hands in the hand prints that are part of Robert’s painting “The Story,” inspired by cave art.
Bring your friends and family and celebrate the New Year with Robert and me and lots of your friends and neighbors!
All the best in 2014! — Kevin Miller
by Kevin L. Miller
“The Last Supper,” 4 ft x 7 ft acrylic on canvas by Robert F. Allen, 2013
Robert F. Allen has become my very favorite living American “Outsider Artist.” His 4 ft x 7 ft new painting of 13 animals, entitled “The Last Supper,” is a prime example of vernacular, primitive “outsider art.” Sarah Boxer’s article “The Rise of the Self-Taught Artists” in The Atlantic, September, 2013, declares “Outsider artists—visionary, schizophrenic, primitive, psychotic, obsessive, compulsive, untutored, vernacular, self-taught, naive, brut, rough, raw, call them what you will—are insiders now… At this moment, the universe of outsider art is huge. And it’s being enthusiastically embraced—one might say swallowed whole—by the contemporary-art world. Art fairs, biographies, retrospectives, and collections are springing up in the name of outsider art. Insiders are borrowing outsider art for their installations.”
Right side detail of “The Last Supper,” by Robert F. Allen, 2013
Robert is certainly not schizophrenic or psychotic, but the other elements of the “outsider artist’s” profile fit him like a glove. An editorial “in praise of outsider art” in The Guardian, August 7, 2013, says, “Outsider art is made by people who, through mental or physical isolation, live beyond the reach of cultural conditioning.” Robert was born into profound poverty in the back woods 50 miles north of Syracuse. His family was so dysfunctional that as soon as he could wield tools, he made a small shelter for himself out in the woods behind the family home, and lived there with his pet raccoon Cooner, whom he raised from infancy.
Left side detail of “The Last Supper” by Robert F. Allen, 2013.
To make his “mental and physical isolation” even more complete, Robert sustained severe brain trauma at age 13, when his abusive step father carelessly allowed a cut tree to fall on his head. His sisters, attempting to help their mother care for baby Robert, poured motor oil in his ears and burned out his eardrums. He was nearly deaf throughout his childhood, but nobody discovered the condition because he was so adept at lip-reading. Now he has an implanted mechanical eardrum, but he still cannot hear anyone unless he is looking at their lips.
His brain and ear injuries have made reading very difficult for Robert, but he gained an almost savant-like spacial intelligence and an uncanny connection with animals. He can solve any Rubik’s cube in 90 seconds at lightning speed, and he knows when any woodland animal is nearby even on a pitch black moonless night. Just before I began writing this post, Robert came in from the woods and told me that he had just had a very special close encounter with a wild red fox beside our pond. Robert talked to the beautiful animal who allowed him to walk right up to it. Animals seem to sense that Robert has no fear and nothing but goodwill for them.
“The Last Supper,” Robert F. Allen’s 2013 acrylic on canvas is shown taped to the side of our 12-foot art trailer for photographing before stretching onto the sturdy pine stretchers that Robert constructs.
Very soon now, we will load scores of Robert’s paintings and my own into our 12-foot art trailer pictured above, and take them to North Manchester, Indiana in order to install our two, tandem one-man shows at Manchester University. Robert F. Allen’s show, “PLEASE TOUCH THE ART! — Texture Is Part of the Experience,” will be at Link Gallery, Winger Building, Sept 13 – Nov 19, 2013; Artist’s Reception Oct 5, 11 am – 1 pm.
Kevin L. Miller’s retrospective, “UTOPIA AND APOCALYPSE — Seven Decades Re-imagined,” will be across the street from Robert’s show in Gallery G, upper level Union, Sept 16 – Dec 4, 2013; Artist’s Reception Oct 4, 4 – 6 pm. Kevin’s presentation “TOLERATING CREATIVITY — A Profit and Loss Analysis,” followed by a conversational tour of his exhibit, will be offered Oct 3, 7pm, upper level Union.
Healing Earth Pain Through the Arts — a photo documentary
April 22, 2013
Rev. Jerry Lee Miller emceed “Healing Earth Pain Through the Arts,” Earth Day Weekend, April 20, 2013, at Community Mennonite Church of Lancaster, hosted by HIVE of Planet Loving Activity (see the HIVE Facebook page.) Above Jerry plays his harmonica during the Streetbeet’s benediction performance of his composition, “The Earth is a House.” Participants’ thoughts, prayers and haiku written on colored papers, hang in tree branches. They blow in the breeze to spread the messages of Earth healing into the world.
On a beautiful fresh spring day after a night of sweet rain, about 25 souls greeted each other and gathered in the sunlit sanctuary of the Community Mennonite Church of Lancaster to listen to the sweet music of Streetbeets (Jerry Lee Miller, Paul Montigny, Kati “Kanga” Gruber, and Tom Tucker;) to repeat affirmations and meditate silently together; to melt into the melodious poetry of Chris Hoover Seidel; to thrill with the excitement of the danced and chanted performance piece offered by Kesse Humphreys; and to wonder about the mysteries pictured in Kevin Miller’s large paintings. We laughed, cried, prayed, listened, chanted, spoke, danced, talked and shared ideas. Then we all wrote poems, prayers, haiku, thoughts, laments, and intentions on pieces of colored paper and moved into the garden to hang them in a young tree, allowing the wind to blow our hopes for earth healing into the world. Four of the writers keep their thoughts private. The rest are copied here in bold italic among the photos of that day:
COLORED PAPER MESSAGES HANGING IN THE TREE OF HOPES AND BLESSINGS (shown in bold italics throughout the photo essay — contributed by all the participants at “Healing Earth Pain Through the Arts”)
MUSIC A GATEWAY,
Opening our hearts to LOVE
In Loving we act…
Rev. Jerry Lee Miller (center) opens “Healing Earth Pain Through the Arts” with Streetbeets: Kati “Kanga” Gruber (left) and Tom Tucker (right.) Percussionist Paul Montigny is not shown in this photo.
Write songs of the Earth voicing her pain and her offer to help us…
Kevin Miller greets the group with a pranam, meaning, “My soul bows to your soul.” Kevin’s paintings, “Fallen Angels” and “The Flood” are displayed behind him.
Thank you, thank you, thank you, for filling me with gratitude.
Kevin invites the group to repeat an affirmation, followed by a brief period of silent meditation.
I hope for a healing for myself and the Earth. To deal in hope and inspiration not despair and destruction. To remember the trail magic I experienced and take that into the world. To sing. To dance. To love the stories.
Kevin talks about creative action as a way of seeing, knowing, being, and healing. We are here to collaborate in “Healing Earth Pain” — our own pain as we move through life on this Earth, and the pain of the Earth itself as it suffers the violence caused by human greed and ignorance.
We must Change Hearts to Save the Earth from Global Warming.
Jerry greets the cubist egg containing performance artist Kesse Humphreys, before he emerges to dance and chant his compelling message.
Everyone hears the sweet call of the Universe, feels their heart beating and moves swiftly to do the right thing.
Paul Montigny of Streetbeets provides percussion accompaniment to the moment of suspense leading to the hatching of Kesse Humphreys and his emergence into the world.
Kesse hatches out of his incredible cubist egg, into the world.
BE THE CHANGE
(TAKE IT PERSONALLY)
Covered with the black dust of ashes and dirt, an exotic bird of black plumage rises to chant and dance “When the waters rise all around, forget not you have wings to fly!” — Kesse Humphreys
Kesse takes flight.
Ashes to Ashes
Resurrect
In the New Earth
Resurrection of the Phoenix.
From pain come the vision
From the vision come the people
From the people come the power
From their power come the change.
After the Phoenix flew, Chris Hoover Seidel calmed us with the melodious tones of her voice and the thoughtful notes of mystery and hope in her poetry.
We are listening to the “yes”
in yesterday.
We are composing an “or”
for tomorrow.
By touching the egg of the Phoenix, Kevin finds the courage to lead participants in a 3-part round, singing “White Coral Bells upon a slender stalk. Lilies of the valley deck my garden walk. Oh, don’t you wish that you could hear them ring? That will happen only when the faeries sing.” (We sang, and they rang!)
“Heal the Earth,” she said,
“Why?” he said.
“Because it’s the best use of the time we have left,” she responded.
“But isn’t that God’s job?” he asked.
“He never meant it to be this way” she said sadly.
Kevin leads a lively discussion about his 12 large canvases displayed in the sanctuary, and hears clues about some of the mysteries he has pondered in the paintings over the years.
First Snow Drops, crocus, Wind Flowers, Daffodils, Weeping Cherries, and Tulips. Soon Irises, Lilacs, and then the Roses of Summer.
Left to right, Kevin, Tovie Mirot and Fran Gouveia are part of the group discussing “Captain Agape” and “The Revelations of Eve and Adam.”
Clean Water for All and Future Generations…
Kevin hears the thoughts of Fran Gouveia and the rest of the group, about what the meaning might be in some of the symbols and images in “The Musician and the Tree of Life.”
I will knit green hats –
not green berets of the military
but soft, easy slouchy hats
All green, many hues,
for my planet-loving friends.
Will you wear a hat with me?
Church people stand straight!
I wear sneakers and love my
Seven Sunday weeks!
“Etz Chayim!”
(Tree of Life)
Kevin explains how he and Robert Allen collaborated to paint “Deep Woods.”
I pray “The Susquehanna is for Lovers (& ALL OTHERS!)” is Healing Earth’s Pain and Creator helps me (us) do it!
Kevin explains how he will expand this print of “Woodland Spirits” extensively to both sides and below, adding many more animals and figures to create a new painting called “Woodland Spirit Guides.” Behind him is “Apple Man.”
Greed is manmade. Money, debt, hatred, intolerance – They don’t come from the earth, but we do. Amidst all of the destruction and pain, still we are born. Still we come into this world filled with beauty and light. They frack our water, they poison our soil, they patent our food – and STILL we fight for justice – STILL we wake up and love the world all over again. Lucky enough to be young, wild, and free, happy healthy, loved. We still exist. There is something still right in this world if people like us continue to be born into it.
At the end of our healing time together, we all wrote out thoughts, haiku, poems, lamentations and intentions on colored papers and hung them on a tree in the courtyard. Here Rich Humphreys (center) reads his thought before adding it to the tree.
This Dandelion curled into a ring.
Reviled, More Delicate than gold and brown decay.
The mind wanders, Hope, base, distraction and despair.
Sounds good.
Jerry Lee Miller watches as all the participants share their writings and hang them on the Tree of Hopes and Blessings.
Blessed be the creator and the Creative Spirit that brings healing to our earth and our lives.
Rev. Jerry Lee Miller leads Streetbeets in a performance of his signature composition, “The Earth is a House,” as our benediction for “Healing Earth Pain Through the Arts,” and our beginning to Earth Day Weekend.
Thy Kingdom Come
Thy Will Be Done
On Earth as it is in Heaven!
On this beautiful spring Earth Day evening, my wish for the world is that a miracle will happen and we will all wake up with the compelling conviction that we can arrest global climate change and save many of the life forms on Earth by immediately switching from fiossil fuel extraction and consumption to clean renewable energy. My prayer is that we will accept our moral responsibility to leave a habitable planet for future generations.
It is time to become our higher selves and take creative action for the sake of life on Earth.
Love, Wisdom, Peace, — Kevin
My thanks to Alison Stein for providing all the photos for this essay and for helping me so extensively with the logistics for my art display at “Healing Earth Pain Through the Arts.”
Our thanks to the Community Mennonite Church of Lancaster and its congregation for sharing their beautiful, sunlit facility with HIVE of Planet-Loving Activity to produce this event.
Kevin’s BlogTalkRadio.com interview 7pm EDT 9/18: Eco-Anxiety — What to do about it?
September 18, 2012
Kate Loving Shenk will interview Kevin Miller on “Eco-Anxiety — what to do about it?” tonight, Sept 18, 2012, at 7pm EDT. Listen to the interview live at 7pm EDT today at http://m.blogtalkradio.com/kateloving/2012/09/18/eco-anxiety-what-to-do-about-it
The interview will be archived for listening at a later time or day. Here’s how:
2. When Kate Loving’s page comes up, click on “shows & blogs.” You will see “Eco-anxiety” at the top of the list.
3. Click on “Play” several lines below “Eco-anxiety.” You may need to wait briefly for the recorded interview which starts with a musical interlude
For background information read Kevin’s post below on this blog: “Bill McKibben at F&M…” Additional climate change articles by Kevin Miller are available at http://TwoOldLiberals.com including “What Can You and I Do to Save the Earth?”
