The youngest of eight children, Miller's
father was shot and killed over a road dispute shortly
before his birth. Starting work at a local cotton mill
at the early age of twelve, he would walk to work at this
same job for the next twenty years. Finding religion as
a young man, Miller preached in tent revival meetings
in Georgia.
Upon
retirement, Miller began making whirligigs like he did in
his youth. He used found materials discarded by others such
as old bicycle parts, tin house siding and other scraps
to create unique and eclectic objects including the cut-out
animals for which he is best known.
Miller's
work is highly collected and he is considered one of the
"elder" statesman of Folk Art. His work has been
featured in REM music videos as well as the following museums:
-High
Museum of Art, Atlanta
-The
Museum of American Folk Art, New York
Sadly,
R. A. passed away on Tuesday, March 7, 2006 at the age of
93. He will be greatly missed.
Click
on any image below to enlarge:
