The Tribune

By JEFFARAH GIBSON

Tribune Features Writer

jgibson@tribunemedia.net

THE organic beauty of the environment, a common thread in Je’Rome Miller’s artwork, is also a prominent feature in the artist’s eighth annual exhibition The Gift of Life…Seeing Colors.  

The art show will be held at Christ Church Cathedral Hall on April 24, from 6-9 pm. Thereafter the show will remain on display until April 27, from 2-6pm each day.

Miller, who started working on the project a year ago, said his artwork – expressionistic paintings that portray the simplistic beauty of the water, sun, and blue skies – was inspired by everyday experiences.

“There is inspiration everywhere,” he told Tribune Arts and Entertainment. “Every day I get up, I find inspiration. Inspiration for me comes from everything even something as small or simple as a sunrise. When I am swimming I get to see the life of a fish as the sun’s rays hit the water and that is a beautiful sight to behold. In this body of work my paintings feature that kind of expression. Living in the Bahamas is a blessing because we can see things more clearer and more vividly.”

Mr Miller said his aim is to promote peace and love through the calmness of each painting, 33 of which are featured in this exhibition.

“I am trying to promote peace and love. I want to always be able to impart that into my artwork,” he said. “I have been working on the exhibition for a year and when this exhibition comes to a close I will begin working on next year’s show,” he said.

Given that he has been working on The Gift of Life show for almost a year, Mr Miller said it is only natural for an artist to become attached to certain paintings. He said he might have a hard time parting with the piece Dawning of the Day.

“I love the pieces that depict the waters. I also have a piece in this collection that depicts when a new day is dawning. There is still darkness and light in the piece.  Just before daybreak you can see the combination of the moon and stars, and the sun coming up in the sky.

“Its bittersweet having to part my artwork because I work on them for a year and then when the show comes of up, I have to let them go. But it is also a joy that I look forward to,” he said.

Proceeds from the event will aid the Winston V Saunders Memorial Scholarship Fund at the College of the Bahamas. Donating proceeds from the annual exhibition to the scholarship fund has been a tradition for Miller since he began hosting the shows eight years ago.

Before his death, Winston Saunders was a mentor of Miller, making sure that he worked to become better at his craft.

“Winston was one of my mentors and he made sure I was always painting,” Miller said. “He was one of those persons who encouraged me to paint.

“I want to make sure some young person gets a scholarship, and although Winston Saunders is not alive today, I like to keep him alive through my donation. We are doing some very good things for the youth.”

Mr Miller’s nieces and nephews Chelsea Brooks age 13,  Aiden Johnson age seven and Tyler Johnson age 10, will join him in exhibiting work in the show. He has been mentoring them for three years now.

During the opening of The Gift of Life there will be door prizes at the event that will include vouchers for several restaurants at the Atlantis Resort as well as gift certificates for spa services at Baha-Retreat.

Entertainment will be provided by the C R Walker Senior High School led by Oscar Dame.

Refreshments will also be served.