Martha Vestecka Miller was born and raised in Nebraska. She took coursework at both the University of Texas – Arlington and the University of Nebraska – Lincoln in Art and Art History. She received her BFA from the University of Nebraska – Lincoln in 1988. She is drawn to the expression of emotion with bold color. Some works represent a personal reaction to national and world events. She also gravitates toward portraiture and Nebraska landscapes. In addition, films, historic photography and family are included in her subject matter. Some of her portraits express the lost beauty of victims at the hands of terrorists. Other subjects include favorite pieces of literature. Martha’s colorful Czech and Irish heritage contribute to her style and continue to play a part in her development as an artist.
Memories of UNL instructors: Richard Trickey (distinctive laugh), Dan Howard (classical music in his studio), Gail Butt (flamboyant teaching style), Dave Read (in-the-moment photography), Jim Eisentrager (geometrics), Dave Routon (movie influence), Keith Jacobshagen (the sky) and others…
Her Post-Graduate work has been included in shows juried by: Dr. Dan Siedell, (Curator of Sheldon Museum of Art, Lincoln, NE); Janet Farber (Associate Curator of 20th Century Art, Joslyn Art Museum, Omaha, NE); Ree Schonlau; Julie Nelson, (Director- Sioux City Art Center, IA); Nancy Wallace; John Clabaugh**, (Nebraska Wesleyan University, Lincoln); Jessica Zemsky*; Jack Hines*; Ann Templeton*; Judi Betts*; Tom Palmerton*; Paul Melia, AWS; Neal Anderson*; Roger Aiken (Professor-Creighton University)
Undergraduate coursework: University of Texas – Arlington; coursework – Richard Shaffer*; Bachelor of Fine Art – University of Nebraska, coursework – Jim Eisentrager*, Dave Read – Photographer, History of Photography
- *Juror listed in Ask Art
- **Juror included in Museum of Nebraska Art collection, Kearney
Undergraduate show participation:
- 1982-University of Texas Arlington- “Female Still life” – oil
- 1986-University of Nebraska-Lincoln- “Untitled”, oil, Juror: Tom Majeski
- 1987-University of Nebraska-Lincoln- “And He Wore A Blue Tie”, oil, Juror: Terry Rosenberg, sculptor
- 1988-University of Nebraska-Lincoln-“Symphony in Blue #2”, oil, Juror: Ree Schonlein
- 1989-University of Nebraska-Lincoln-“Brooke/The Column”, oil, Juror: Julie Nelson, Director-Sioux City Art Center
- Officer: UNL Art Students League – 1987, 1988
Post Graduate Exhibit participation:
- 1989-Wallace & Traveller Gallery-“Big Fun Nebraska-Miniatures Show”, Lincoln, NE, “Landscape 02,786”, mixed media, Juror: Nancy Wallace
- 1989-Langworthy Art Show, Seventh Annual Statewide, Seward, NE, “Custer County, 1888”, Juror: John Clabaugh, Nebr Wesleyan University
- 1989-Louisiana Art & Artists Guild-20th Annual River Road Show, Baton Rouge, LA, “Girl On A Blue Couch”, Juror, Judi Betts
- 1990-Langworthy Art Show, Eighth Annual Statewide, Seward, NE, “Zelda Goes For A Drive”, Juror: Tom Palmerton
- 1990-North Valley Art League, Redding, CA, “June in China, 1989”, Jurors: Jessica Zemsky and Jack Hines
- 1991-Fourth Annual Seven State Show “Self Image”, Bellevue College, Bellevue, NE, “Caprice”, Juror: Janet Farber, Assoc Curator 20th Century Art, Joslyn Art Museum, Omaha
- 1991-Fred Wells 15, Twelve State Exhibition-Wesleyan University, Lincoln, NE, “Garden Series”, Juror: Judy Polus, Director of Bemis Art School, Colorado Springs, CO. *Juror’s Merit Award
- 1991-Fifth Annual Seven State Show, “Real/Unreal/Surreal”, Bellevue College, Bellevue, NE, “The Blue House”, Juror: Dr. Roger Aiken, Assoc Professor Fine Arts, Creighton, University, Omaha
- 1992-Fred Wells 16, Twelve State Exhibition, Wesleyan University, Lincoln, NE., “Come Out Boo Radley”, Juror: Paulette Thenhaus, Director-Galesburg Civic Art Center, Galesburg, IL, * Purchase Award
- 1992-Louisiana Art & Artists Guild 23rd Annual River Road Show, Baton Rouge, LA, “The Radley Place”, Juror: Michael Crespo, Director of Louisiana University School of Art, *Dick Blick Merchandise Award
- 1993-Kentucky Watercolor Society Aqueous ’93, 16th National Exhibition, Frankfort, Kentucky, “Dancing Girls”, Juror: Paul Melia, member American Watercolor Society
- 1993-New England Fine Art Institute-American Contemporary Art, Boston, MA, “The Galley Boy” and “Caprice”, Jurors: John Duillo, President of Society of American Artists, James Muir, SAHA, Matthew Brooks, Curator of the BGFA
- 1993-(Nov)- Make A Wish Foundation, “Objects D’Art”, Omaha, NE
- 1994-North Valley Art League’s 10th Annual Show, Redding, CA, “Eleanor On The Farm”, Juror: Ann Templeton
- UNDER CONSTRUCTION
- 2001-UNL Eisentrager/Howard Gallery Graduate Show, Lincoln, NE, Father/Daughter participation with Robert G. Vestecka, 1950 graduate, University of Nebraska-BFA-Interior Design
- 2017 (Dec) – Crescent Moon Coffee House, 1st Friday, Dec 1-31, 2017, 20 mixed media works of Nebraska landscapes and Worldwide Victims of Terrorism
- 2018-(June) 63rd Annual Willa Cather Foundation “Here at Last is an American Novel: My Antonia” Exhibit, Red Cloud, NE, “Willa Cather, Before the Purge”
- 2018-(May-August)-UNL Eisentrager/Howard Gallery Graduate Show, Lincoln, NE, “Shannon” and “The Laaker Grove, Washington County, Nebr”
- 2018-19-(Dec 2018 – Feb 2019) County-City Building Co-Exhibit with Lora Rokke “A Particular Point of View”
- 2019 (May 25 -August ) 1516 Leavenworth Gallery, Omaha, “2019 Nebraska Artist’s Biennial, 100 Nebraska Artists”, “Knox County, near Verdigre, Nebr, 2018”
- 2022-(November 12, 2021 – February 4, 2022), Governor’s Residence Retrospective Exhibition, 1425 H St., Lincoln. Public tours Thursday afternoons by apt only – 402.471.3466.
Contact Martha at: marthavesteckamiller@yahoo.com
Martha Vestecka Miller 