Page 39 - Sea Level 2019

Lee Vida

ARTHUR MILLER

Driftwood Artist Watercolor Artist, Owner,
Gray Man Gallery

Even before he picked up his first paintbrush, Lee Arthur knew art was in his blood. For Vida Miller, her role in the Pawleys Island art scene is two-fold. As an artist, she’s all
His mother, Mary Arthur Weis, was an artist and as a young child Arthur was called to about exploring the depth and breadth of expression. As the owner of the Gray Man Gallery,
find his passion within the art world. she works to build up local artists and help put their work in the hands of the public.
After decades of dabbling in various forms and refining his craft, which included a Miller, who began training formally as an artist in her 20s, says “It can be in the form of
stint at Ringling School of Art in Florida and a mentorship with the famed artist and texture, color, or design. Sometimes you have a plan that works out fine, and then there are
sign maker Ed Fanjoy of Myrtle Beach, Arthur found his niche in carving nature- times when the medium takes over and the paintings surprise you.”
inspired creations out of driftwood.
“I believe art expression comes from within and each painting
“A lot of people think driftwood art, think rough, chainsaw art,” Arthur represents the feeling at that time.”
admits. “Of course the natural, driftwood look is there, but what I do
is more refined. It’s nice and cleaner looking in the end.” Watercolors are her favorite medium, although she has dabbled in pastels recently and
has become fascinated with the material. Whatever the palette holds, Miller leans toward
abstract painting, collages and mixing medias to create texture and depth.
Arthur typically carves wildlife of the Lowcountry – animals such as sea turtles,
marsh birds and fish – although he doesn’t mind a departure from time to time. The Gray Man Gallery features about 20 local artists across a variety of media. Miller,
who currently serves on the South Carolina Arts Alliance Board which advocates art in
“I come across wildlife where I explore every day,” says Arthur, whose accolades communities and in education, said the clientele established over nearly four decades of
include being the featured artist for Winyah Bay Heritage Art show in 2013. “Whether operations comes to Gray Man seeking out art of local scenes and artists.
it’s the woods, the beach, or the marsh, [I] just can’t help but see it. It’s all around me.”
“Since moving to our new location – two doors down from the original – we are striving to
Much of his commissioned work is displayed in homes, restaurants or businesses and have more shows to showcase our exceptional local talent,” Miller said of the gallery, at
is designed to be installed on walls to save space and add dimensionality. You can
view Arthur’s work on Facebook and Instagram by searching Lee Arthur Art. 10729-A Ocean Highway. “We also have a group of pastel painters meeting at the Gallery
to paint once a month.”

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