Transcending Black History: Thomas H. Miller, Sr.

Thomas H. Miller, Sr. is a visual artist, graphic designer and inventor. At age nine, he began to explore the spark that ignited his imagination. He transformed this gift with passion, a Federal Art School Scholarship and thirty-three years of application in graphic design. He honed his craft by completing 200 drawings per week. “I just wanted to draw!” Mr. Miller explained. He didn't have the money to afford paper but overcame limited resources by being resourceful. He filled his wagon with paper scraps collected from the trash of printers.

Thomas Miller's raw talent, study and practice enabled him to execute a flawless portrait of Mayor Harold Washington. This mosaic now lights the east entryway of the DuSable Museum in Chicago. Other “Miller Mosaics” were commissioned by the museum and the Michael Jordan Foundation. Several galleries and collectors in Europe have acquired a taste for his creativity. His design papers are part of the permanent collection at the University of Illinois at Chicago.

I had the good fortune of meeting Mr. Miller at the DuSable Museum in 1996. The following year we collaborated with others on an art show of his works. Enjoy a few examples below.

The King's Vase, Carved and pressed foam

Untitled Mask, Carved and pressed foam

Ball & Confusion, Mixed Media 2D

Transformation, Paint & Pencil

Mr. Miller not only mastered numerous mediums but had a broad inventive mode. He invited me into his home and shared one of his designs to prevent basements from flooding that was of simple construction and easily fit over basement drains using the basic principle of water seeking its own level. The inspiration for this invention may or may not have had something to do his basement workshop overflowing with completed and partial works, designs and memorabilia of several types, Though the space was small, his giving nature made the experience without bounds.

Thomas Miller's first accomplishment was the full embrace of his gifts. His talents endured and matured beyond the visual to illuminate the spiritual and the possible.

Related articles on Thomas H. Miller, Sr:

Pioneering Artist Honored For His Stellar Career

Thomas H. E. Miller Design Papers

Thomas Miller (visual artist)

Thomas Miller Mosaics

African-American Designers: The Chicago Experience Then and Now (Lecture)

African-American Designers: The Chicago Experience Then and Now (Book)

Valentine's Day Card Addressed To Self

Love is the Original Virgin Essence.
It was signed, sealed and addressed to you from the very beginning. Upon conception, this love was sent (c-mailed, if you will) and married within your earthly form. Love is the same power that quickens you and the universe. Rather than wish for a love to “Be Mine,” know you already have omnipotence within. It is more than a sweet sensation. It is a completing saturation.

You were not created because someone had nothing better to do. Before any human had thought, someone was thinking of you. You were created because someone believed you were worthy to receive a spirit formed from original love. This spirit is what allows you to pursue your talents with passion. First importantly, it allows you to love yourself physically, intellectually, and even romantically. Yes indeed!

Better than a Valentine's Day card is the expression and appreciation of the love that has always been first, full and forever. Embrace your spirit and receive its loving messages and mentoring. When you long for love, this is the one you unknowingly but truly need. This is the feeling at the core of your being aching to release its abundance. This inner love will do what nothing else or no one else can do for you. When this love is the greeting to every day, you will always “Be Yours.”

Shakespeare: Nothing Compares to You

Don't compare yourself to Shakespeare. That's what I was told but why not? Who should I compare myself to? Perhaps someone who doesn't embrace their gifts. Would that satisfy those who find it incredulous that one less esteemed, or so it seems, would consider any similarity with one of great esteem?

Relax. I don't want to be William Shakespeare and I don't want to write or create like him. What I want is breathing room to let creativity take shape unencumbered and to let creativity unencumber shapes already taken. We all have a measure of talent and attributes that help or hinder. What makes the difference? Why don't opportunities, their type or their absence always lead to obvious outcomes? For these and other reasons I compare myself to everyone well-known, lesser known, on point, near the point and off point.

I can't be Shakespeare, although we have more in common than in contrast. Thankfully there's a third component: divine differences that make it possible for nothing to compare to you, me or Shakespeare.

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creativity, gift, opportunity, Shakespeare, talent

The Favor of Feedback

As I receive feedback, a delightful dimension envelopes me, one where HDTV and Bose are antiquated mediums for and measures of clarity.

At the risk of sounding silly, feedback means feeding back after being fed. Feedback is sought in all areas of life. The most noticeable examples occur during childrearing, in school, at work or when someone prepares a meal. We eagerly expect to know how we're doing or how we did. Thank you is feedback, a smile is feedback, clapping is feedback and giving back is feedback, as are prayer and praise. Feedback is a favor that goes a long way. Souls suffer without it.

An artist would starve to creative death without feedback which is why not sharing our talents and gifts puts us at risk of being malnourished and unable to flourish. Feedback helps us learn, grow, evolve and re-energize. Feedback allows this artist to re-enjoy his creation as experiences filtered and sifted through another soul - sorta like watching my child on the playground sharing favor, making friends.

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artists, favor, feedback, gifts, talents

Talent Shmalent!

By Marcia Yudkin
Reprinted with permission from Marketing Minute newsletter.

Over the years, many people have asked me to look at their writing. "I need to know, do I have talent or not," they say.

Their request is seriously flawed, I'd reply. Anyone can become a better writer. When I taught English 101 at various colleges, I saw proof of this. Students with hackneyed, half-dead writing turned in lively, interesting essays by the end of the semester.

According to Stanford psychology professor Carol Dweck, I was right to question the query about talent. Dweck's book, Mind-set: The New Psychology of Success, reports research showing that in education, the arts and business, people who believe talent is fixed and inborn do not fully develop their potential and do not recover easily from setbacks.

Those who believe talent can be developed, regardless of apparent starting point, not only achieve more but also prompt greater achievement in their children and staff.

Her best news: You can change your mind-set about talent or intelligence. In only two months, kids who were taught that the brain, like a muscle, improves with exercise saw their math scores rocket from F's to B's.

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mindset, talent, writing, Marcia Yudkin, Marketing Minute

Opening The Gift Of Childhood

I’m amazed and saddened at how many grown people over 40 believe they don’t know what they’re supposed to be doing. They say they don’t know what they want to do, what they’re good at or where their natural, God-given talents lie.

We lament lives cut short and talents taken to the grave rightfully so. Sadness fills the womb of Mother Earth. I mourn even more when we still have life and don’t do things on purpose despite the unopened gifts we know are already in the grave.

What do I think about, dream about, gravitate towards or do easily? What am I doing when time passes quickly and the thought of eating is an interruption? What do I do that I can’t wait to do again? In what area do I get a lot of ideas? What makes me feel alive?

Many answers are in the time prior to 18, our childhood years, a time when money was not a motive. Oftentimes what we once found challenging in our childhood is where our blessings and talents lie.

Here’s a novel idea. If you don’t know, ask somebody. It’s amazing how often family and friends can confirm what we can’t believe.

To be a success in life is to work with what you’ve got and make the most of what you have. You don’t have to be a public star to be a superstar. Go ahead! Open your gifts! If you’ve already been a faithful steward with one gift, then open another gift.

I’m 44 and just recently realized I’m supposed to write. This is a whole other level from wanting to, liking to or loving to. Please share when and what you’ve realized you’re supposed to do. What fulfills you fills the world with the joy of another gift being opened.

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blessings, childhood, gifts, purpose, talent

Related: Unbreakable Evolution: Higher Purpose Coming Out
Gift Wrapping Poem
Whatever You Do, Think Again!
Passion – Let It Go
Real Pursuit of Happiness
Living Instinctively, Pollination, Nectar, Pollen

12 Natural Resources We All Have

1. Material Items
2. Body & Its Energy
3. The Natural World (a)
4. Knowledge (This is where "Sankofa" applies most)
5. Thoughts & Beliefs
6. Time
7. Talents, Gifts, Abilities, Skills, Capabilities and Blessings
8. Emotions
9. Relationships
10. Influence
11. Intuition & Other Trusts
12. Spirit & Its Energy

How I manage (maximize or squander) each of these resources will determine the quality of the one, and only, life, the ultimate resource, I’ve been blessed to still possess.

13. Memory, Introspection & Reflection
14. Discipline & Being Organized.
15. Inherent Rights

Each of the above 15 resources can be studied in greater detail by searching this blog for the plural, singular and other forms of each word.

(a) The natural world inside us. The natural world outside us contained within Earth. The natural world outside Earth. Each of these dimensions contain natural resources. There are dimensions within each dimension. On all levels, even the somewhat plain level of the natural world within us and within Earth, these resources are only accessible to those who grow to know how to recognize and use them.