"You can paint anything with a finger that you can with a brush." - Lavely Miller
Lavely Miller paints intimate and confrontational portraits almost exclusively using her index finger as a paintbrush. She uses classical Flemish glazing techniques that create the aged appearance of the painted surface that give her portraits a timeless quality.
Her figures are captured in a frozen moment, filled with universal emotion. Though physically still, these figures exist in a state of emotional action; their frequently direct gazes challenge the viewer’s attention. This sense of movement is emphasised through layers of pigment and glaze, sometimes exceeding 100 layers. The layering effect is intensified by the use of paper, which moves and crinkles during its application, creating physical depth.
Miller often depicts individuals who have experienced trauma, exploring visual cues that resonate with themes of loss, suffering, recovery, and salvation. Her portraits display a direct and heightened sense of emotion.