May Featured Artists – Jeani Miller & Elaine Harkins

Elaine Harkins discovered her love for art as a child and later expanded her skills through various classes in architectural drawing, watercolor, and pastels. She began designing needlepoint canvases in the 1970s, focusing on historical themes such as Henry VIII and his wives. After taking a pastel techniques class at the Plateau Creative Arts Center in 2019—taught by none other than fellow featured artist Jeani Miller—Elaine immersed herself in pastels and watercolor.

Elaine finds inspiration in her travels, capturing scenes from Morocco, Patmos, Paris, Granada, and Kenya. Her works range from watercolors and pastels to intricate needlepoint pieces, offering viewers a journey through the world’s vibrant cultures.

Jeani Miller has always been passionate about drawing. Using pastels, acrylics, and pencils, she specializes in portraiture, bringing life to both human and animal subjects. She notes the unique challenge of human portraits—depicting not only physical features but also how people perceive themselves. In contrast, she finds comfort in painting animals, as “the animal doesn’t judge.”

Jeani begins each portrait with the eyes, which she calls “the window to the soul”. Once the eyes are placed, the rest of the features come to life organically, as if the subject helps guide the process. For this exhibit, Jeani will present several large-scale pieces, including her 4’x5′ paintings Cosmos in Chaos and Over the Hill, as well as her striking 2’x8′ masterpiece, Hole in One, created in honor of her husband’s first hole-in-one at the Heatherhurst’s Crag golf course.