Life & Work with Aspen Moehring-Miller

Today we’d like to introduce you to Aspen Moehring-Miller.

Hi Aspen, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
My personal favorite was the year I chose an all-white canvas for my room, enthusiastically splattering it with paint in the spirit of Jackson Pollock, a technique I had discovered during my fourth-grade art class.

My very bones seemed to burn with a passion for art, although I remained largely unaware of it. In the fifth grade, my dream was to attend an art school for middle school. I convinced myself that I couldn’t possibly make it into the Visual Arts program, so instead, I auditioned for the school’s band and took up the trumpet. Those years taught me discipline, instilling the mantra of no yawning in the band and that being on time meant you were already late.

The intensity of playing in four different bands for 5-7 hours a day was a lot for a 13-year-old, and it was during these years that some of my darkest moments surfaced. I yearned for a more traditional high school experience, which led me to trade in my trumpet and art supplies for a cheerleading uniform and low expectations. It was a time when I was lost without fully realizing it – cue the melancholy notes of “Only Time” by Enya.

College loomed on the horizon, accompanied by the ever-pressing question: “What’s going to be your major?” In my first year and a half, I declared myself a psychology major, entertaining thoughts of medical school, but it failed to scratch the creative itch that simmered beneath my skin. Then, one fateful morning in the dorms, a friend pounded on my door at 7 am, in a state of panic over an art project due that day. We sat side by side, painting, as I helped him finish the assignment. Unbeknownst to me, that was the day I found a missing puzzle piece.

The following year, COVID descended upon the world, and I returned home, ignoring most of my Zoom classes, except for the ones related to art. It was at that time that I made the life-altering decision to change my major to art. My world and heart began to open up once more, and the artistic fire within me was rekindled. Life, I realized, has an uncanny way of leaving breadcrumbs to lead you toward your true path. While I may still be uncertain about life after college, I have learned to follow my heart and trust that the things meant to find me, eventually will.

Can you talk to us about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
You are your own harshest critic. The internal battle you wage is a persuasive one. Many people often wonder if the grass is greener on the other side, but it’s worth noting that it’s green where you water it. Learning to cultivate self-love and validate your essential being has been a journey of ongoing growth, and maintaining your authenticity is one of the most formidable challenges.

Setting aside societal judgments of “success” and embracing my natural curiosity is where I’ve discovered the greatest freedom and joy. This philosophy lies at the heart of both art creation and life itself. Every endeavor comes with its share of highs and lows, and those are inevitable. Yet, there’s a profound beauty in learning how to lift yourself, dust yourself off, and proudly declare, “I made it through that challenge.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Much of my art revolves around the exploration and manipulation of the natural world. Through performance art, I immerse myself within the environment, allowing it to evoke emotional responses. Many of my pieces involve various forms of performance, and one of my proudest works, ‘30,244,’ was a private performance piece that unfolded between me and a simple floorboard.

I engaged in a continuous, meditative act of walking in circles until the wood beneath my feet eventually wore out. This piece encapsulates the beauty of the mundane through a physically repetitive act. It’s a testament to the transformative power of art, where the ordinary can be elevated to a profound and meaningful experience through the lens of creativity.

Have you learned any interesting or important lessons due to the COVID-19 crisis?
Time holds immense significance; slowing down and dedicating moments for reflection has become integral to my artistic practice.

This transformation is likely a response to the solitude that COVID-19 imposed on the world, profoundly altering the trajectory of everyone’s lives and offering a unique opportunity for pause and reflection.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aspenjmm/