Imagine that the Saturday morning cartoons you watched as a kid grew up, got drunk on whiskey and started a bar brawl. If you can picture that, you’ve got some idea of what Johnny Miller‘s art looks like. Bright colors, simple shapes and bold lines flow through his somewhat menacing characters. Producing under the name Draco, Miller works as a graphic artist, painter and illustrator. Born in Wiesbaden, Germany and growing up in a military family, Miller has been drawing and creating since childhood. Since moving to Atlanta eight years ago, the artist has begun to produce with a more consistent style and content. After working with other artists at both ABV Gallery and DooGallery, Miller launched his own apparel design company, L8RZ. He recently participated in last month’s Phoenix Fest and is currently working on a variety of personal projects.
CommonCreativ talked to Miller about his “post-pop art,” where the name Draco came from and the rewards of collaboration.
Common Creativ: Was art something you explored in school or did you come to it on your own?
Johnny Miller: The arts were never part of my formal education. It kind of came to me during those early morning church services I attended. I would doodle for most of the preaching, complaining and crying when certain people or figures wouldn’t come out right. As a child I would try to replicate paintings to explore different techniques [other] artists would use.
CC: A few years ago you interned with Greg Mike at ABV Gallery and spent some time working with the folks at DooGallery. How did that help you artistically?
JM: My time at ABV was a really influential period. I’ve never been around so much different art in my life. It kind of opened my mind a bit in trying pursue what I loved. During my time at Morehouse College I would have to say I turned into a sort of drone seeking that normal 9-to-5 job. ABV helped in changing that and made me really push myself. Often I go back to ABV just to chat and catch up, and I also visit and show art at DooGallery whenever I can.
Johnny MIller aka Draco
CC: What’s the story behind the “Draco” name?
JM: Draco was a name given to me by a friend awhile back. There’s no real meaning behind it, but I have attributed it to my traditional character alterations. They usually include the unibrow and three eyes with the three wrinkles at each end. The name just stuck with me as I sought to distinguish an artistic name apart from my common name.
CC: A lot of your work features cartoon-type animation and typography. How’d you develop your style?
JM: My art features a lot of cartoonish hands—I love to focus on hands because of the meaning behind them. Hands have the power to create beautiful things as well as destroy them. Hands are what make artists great and are necessary tools for any great inspiration. Most of my hands feature colorful contrasting colors that really jump out towards people. If I had to classify my art, I would classify it as Post-Pop Art.
CC: Describe what you’re doing with your newest venture, L8RZ.
JM: L8RZ is a way that artists can come together to make very colorful and interesting shirts. I collaborate with different artists and make products for consumers in Atlanta who wouldn’t normally see art. For example, I worked with an artist by the name of Anjo Bolarda. Most of his art featured girls with monster tits. I believe he called them the NASTIES. My ultimate goal for L8RZ is just to bring art from other places to Atlanta. Most of the shirts I screen print by hand, for the main reason of really understanding the artistic process of making a shirt.
CC: What’s most appealing about apparel design as an artist?
JM: It’s the ability to have people wear your art as a walking billboard. It’s great for getting your art out there since it can be inexpensive for people to purchase a t-shirt instead of a pricy painting. Also, creating something unique and intricate is really pleasing, especially when you see someone random person wearing it.
CC: You’ve worked across a lot of different media: paper, canvas and the computer screen. Do you have a preference?
JM: I don’t have a particular preference, I just enjoy experimenting with all of them. Doing this does let me learn as I go. I often switch back and forth on a daily basis doing graphic for clients or for fun, then going on to painting and illustrations. It just all depends on the mood of the day. I do many types of commissioned work for clients which leads me to doing all types of things. It’s all just a learning experience for me.
CC: At Phoenix Fest, you be did some live painting. Have you ever done anything like this before?
JM: I have never done live painting before. I was a bit nervous—I’ve only done one previous mural for a friend. They had me do a spray can spraying face-like clouds. It was a fun time, so I’d love to do many more. I got involved with Phoenix Fest through getting in contact with the artist sQuish. He liked my art and decided to add me as a muralist.
CC: The Atlanta art scene seems to be a huge cooperative effort right now. How has this effected you as an artist?
JM: I have only recently been reaching out to other artists, and I have to say everyone has been pretty helpful. I don’t think I would have been able to paint at Phoenix Fest, but because of collaborative efforts, I was able to become one of the muralists. I haven’t worked with many artists on projects, but I’m very interested in doing more in the future.
CC: What do you hope to accomplish artistically in the next few years?
JM: Artistically, I would like to accomplish a firmer grip in my artistic form. I’m still growing as an artist and am nowhere near perfecting my technique. As for right now, L8RZ is on hold. I’m focusing solely on returning to the gallery scene and really just getting my art known and appreciated. I do plan on staying in Atlanta for a while, but I want to travel more to get more of a feel of different cultures to bring back to my art.
CC: The awesome arts community aside, what should people outside Atlanta know about this city?
JM: Besides art, people should know that Atlanta is a very friendly community. No one is afraid to say hello and give you that great Southern hospitality. When I first moved here, I was welcomed with open arms. I also love the underground indie music scene. There are great musicians in Atlanta. The food here is pretty great as well. And I do have to say that seeing the bike scene in Atlanta is making me want to purchase a bike and take to the streets.
You can see more of Johnny Miller’s work on his site.
