American painter Trace Miller (b. 1955, Johnstown, PA) is known for his blend of abstracted realism, rich material manipulation, and exploration of surfaces. He lives and works in the Baltimore region of Maryland. Miller received his BFA from the Tyler School of Art in Philadelphia and his MFA from the Maryland Institute College of Art, Hoffberger School of Painting, in Baltimore. For many years before retiring, Miller served as a Lecturer and Assistant Chair in the Department of Art + Design, Art History, and Art Education at Towson University.
Miller's work has been exhibited extensively in the Mid-Atlantic region, as well as in New York and Chicago. Recent exhibitions include Trace Miller: Pulp Fiction at Goya Contemporary Gallery in Baltimore, MD, and the 5th Biennial Maryland Regional Juried Art Exhibition at the University of Maryland Global Campus in Adelphi, MD. His work has been featured in publications such as New American Paintings, The Baltimore Sun, Baltimore Magazine, and The Baltimore Review. In 2013 and 2014, Miller was selected as a semi-finalist for the Bethesda Painting Awards and has received two Individual Artist Grants from the Mayor’s Committee on Art and Culture in Baltimore. He has also been a guest speaker and visiting artist at numerous institutions, including the Delaware Center for the Contemporary Arts, Maryland Institute College of Art, Albright College, Shepherd University, and the Baltimore School for the Arts.
Speaking about his practice, Miller explains: "My current work is a combination of mixed-media painting and collage on canvas, panel, and paper. The intent is to capture the linear and gestural qualities of trees. My goal is not to create traditional landscapes but to metaphorically address energy, as well as feelings of loss and renewal. My studio practice balances process and experimentation with concept. The content evolves with the process—the work is most powerful when these elements are seamlessly intertwined."
Miller’s work is represented in several private and public collections, including the Baltimore Museum of Art.