Michael J. Miller was born and raised in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He began his formal artistic journey studying cabinetmaking at the Milwaukee Trade and Technical High School. From there Michael went on to study fine art at the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee receiving both his BFA and MA in Painting and Drawing. After receiving his master’s degree in 1991 Michael taught art at both the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee and The Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design. Michael’s artwork often merges his background in cabinetmaking with his love of painting and drawing. The work becomes a blend of painting and sculpture.

Michael moved to Chicago with his wife Dianna in 1994. He has exhibited with Gallery A (Chicago), Tory Folliard Gallery (Milwaukee), Gallery Pink (Oak Park), as well as other galleries, art spaces, and universities. In recent years he has been invited to exhibit his work in group shows at Hairpin Arts Center, ARC, Oak Park Arts League, and SoNa Chicago Contemporary Art.

Michael worked as lead carpenter and exhibit installer at the Spertus Institute for Jewish Learning and Leadership and eventually became Operations Manager/Facility Manager there, a position he held until 2016. He currently is a freelance exhibit designer, builder, and installer and he continues his own art practice in his home studio. He also is a self-taught acoustic guitar player and he builds his own resonator guitars using found objects and recycled materials.

Michael is passionate about making the world a better place. Much of his artwork focuses on the preciousness of the environment, valuing community, and working together to achieve positive change. His work with and in support of other artists is an inspiration and a source of exploration for his own art practice.

Michael lives in Oak Park, IL, and enjoys listening to music, playing guitar, working in the garden, and making art.