Cora Miller has a vision. Her artistic journey began in Hardwick, MN, when at the young age of five she was already an avid drawer. Homeschooled through the eighth grade, she took advantage of the time this allowed for creative expression. Upon entering high school she discovered graphic design as well as more traditional art forms, such as pottery and printmaking.
Emerging as a well-rounded artist, Cora went on to attend Bethany Lutheran College in Mankato to study graphic design and art history. It was there that she discovered the bold appeal of vintage poster design and her own style began to take hold. Cora is now a celebrated artist living in Eden Prairie, creating graphic illustrations inspired by Minnesota’s own distinctive landscapes.
Every artist works through their own unique process and Cora is no different. “My favorite part of the artistic process hands down is the brainstorming,” she admitted. “I love the creative time when you sketch and throw a bunch of ideas on the table – some good, and some absolutely terrible. It's fun for me to see the process develop and for the idea to go from its early stages to the final product.”
In school, Cora was particularly inspired by the Anderson Design Group’s poster series on National Parks. That influence is still apparent in her artwork. But what drew her to her subject matter, a celebration of the Land of 10,000 Lakes? “Some of my favorite childhood memories are from trips to the North Shore,” she told me. “It always felt magical, like we travelled to someplace very far away from the flat prairie land of Minnesota. I fell in love with the lakes, hills, and forests and the majesty of Lake Superior at a very young age.”
Today Cora is inspired by the artists she interacts with on etsy.com, a webstore that specializes in handmade goods. “Artists that inspire me are people on Etsy who have full-time jobs while managing humble stores where they create art that fuels their passions,” Cora said. “I love supporting small businesses and the variety of shops on Etsy – especially local Minnesota artists.”
And now for the most important question: What is Cora's favorite thing about Eden Prairie? “I moved to Eden Prairie last year after living north of St. Paul. I fell in love with the community and feel of Eden Prairie instantly,” she responded. “I especially love all the parks, and have spent many evenings exploring the walking trails throughout the city.” After all, who can resist the great outdoors here in Minnesota?
To see more of Cora’s work, please visit etsy.com/shop/CoraMillerDesigns
