RFA Interview With Anthony Miller
RDevonriley Music Group recently interviewed artist Anthony Miller about his experience, relationship with Ron Riley, and artwork for upcoming album Running from Angels by Ron Riley.
How long have you been drawing? I’ve been drawing since I could hold a pen, so around 2 years old. I’ve been writing hip hop music since I was 7. I can honestly say I was born an artist, so I’ve been at it for 19 going on 20 years now. When I was in the 3rd or 4th grade, I began watching Dragonball Z and drawing those characters. My skill multiplied 100-fold. From then on, I knew I wanted to do this for the rest of my life so I just kept working and honing my skill. I’m still working toward that impossible flawless quality in my style where I feel that my sketches are worth millions, I’ve mastered myself as an artist and a man. I am on a mission to be respected and revered.
Do you attend school? I’m pursuing my Bachelors in Communication Design (Illustration) at Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, NY
What was your first impression of working with Ron Riley on the album RFA? Excitement! It was an opportunity to help out a fellow artist and showcase my talents. As soon as he told me his concept, ideas instantly started zooming in my head of how I can make this work.
How long have you’ve known Ron? I first met him when I was 14 when my uncle came back up from Columbus to visit us for a weekend. I hadn’t seen him again until I was 19 visiting my uncle for a weekend this summer. (Irony)
What was your Process for creating the artwork for RFA? When he told me his idea of representing Satan as women, money, drugs, and things like that, I thought of disguising the devil in these things. Making him present but not visible. A man plagued with these things would be unknowingly under his influence. I figured a penthouse suite setting looking out to a skyline. This was inspired by my new home NYC.
Your work has been featured with other artists? I’m working on this painting that was shown in Mickey Factz music video, “For the Culture” featuring Marsha Ambrosius.
Could explain what’s happening in the illustration? The male figure is pretty successful. His home is looking out to the city skyline. As he grows comfortable in his setting, the demons attack when his spirit is vulnerable in the form of fast women, fast money, and the fast life. He knows it’s not right, but the feeling has him caught up in the life. Even his Bible, his sword to combat them, is cast aside and he’s without protection.
Being an artist, how important is it to express artistic values and different viewpoints on religious beliefs? It’s paramount. The arts and religion have been intertwined since cave paintings. The Egyptians covered their palaces with Horus and Anubis paintings, Greeks and Romans sculpted their gods and goddesses from stone and bronze. Renaissance and Baroque artist spread works of Christ throughout Europe. Go to any art museum and you’ll find endless religious based works. It inspires all artists, whether they believe or not. I share in that tradition with this project, past works I’ve done, and works I will do in the future.
Running from Angels, a controversial title, how do you feel this will be perceived? I hope people can relate to it. We all have run from the Lord and His angels at some point in our lives. When you let the spirit of worry and fear (spirits God told us we are not to have being His children) overtake you, you are running from angels. When you sin (and if you haven’t, I’ll slap you in the face with a Bible for sinning in my face. Okay I won’t slap you, but give you a mean look!), you run from angels. We all have done it. So hopefully it’ll inspire people to be more aware of when we run and call them to return to Christ and His security and love.
Can we expect to see more collaboration between the two of you? We better! I love helping out my family and friends. I’m the person that will sacrifice to make sure me and mine are taken care of no matter what! If I’m with you, I’m with you. I’m always going the extra mile for my people (word to my man, Che Pill).
Thanks Ron! Really appreciate this. Namaste!!!
