About us
About us
Welcome to Zen Aardvark!
Zen Aardvark is a joyous, artistic collection and collaboration, created by Hillary and Kelly, where we focus on using materials we have on hand, and making fun, beautiful, serene, kooky – or all of the above – wall and functional art pieces. We re-purpose furniture, old wood, and leftover paint and breathe new life into tables and surfboards, gourds and boards, whatever we can rescue from the scrapyard. We also offer smaller gift art objects such as face masks and holiday items. We set our sights on playful, earthy, zen-like celebrations of color, exuberance, love and the spiritual.
Welcome to Zen Aardvark!
Zen Aardvark is a joyous, artistic collection and collaboration, created by Hillary and Kelly, where we focus on using materials we have on hand, and making fun, beautiful, serene, kooky – or all of the above – wall and functional art pieces. We re-purpose furniture, old wood, and leftover paint and breathe new life into tables and surfboards, gourds and boards, whatever we can rescue from the scrapyard. We also offer smaller gift art objects such as face masks and holiday items. We set our sights on playful, earthy, zen-like celebrations of color, exuberance, love and the spiritual.
How it All Began
Over ten years ago when Kelly moved in next door to Hillary’s rural Carbon Canyon home, Kelly learned that Hillary was an artist. She thought to herself, “awesome, she’s going to become my best new artsy friend!” When Hillary saw that Kelly was crafty and skilled, she asked Kelly to help her with some large commissioned silk paintings. It was incredible fun and sublime artistry from day one. Hillary was able to offer new experiences in painting and mixing color.
Kelly threw out crazy fun art and craft ideas about which Hillary got all fired up. The next thing you know they decided to throw a holiday boutique together, showcasing their joint and individual efforts.
Make friends with an aardvark.”
-- Dollie J. Llama
How it All Began
Over ten years ago when Kelly moved in next door to Hillary’s rural Carbon Canyon home, Kelly learned that Hillary was an artist. She thought to herself, “awesome, she’s going to become my best new artsy friend!” When Hillary saw that Kelly was crafty and skilled, she asked Kelly to help her with some large commissioned silk paintings. It was incredible fun and sublime artistry from day one. Hillary was able to offer new experiences in painting and mixing color.
Make friends with an aardvark.”
Hillary Miller
I’m a child, and it’s playtime. “What do you want to do?” my companions would ask me, at the age when lots of kids liked to play with dolls or toy soldiers. “Let’s color!” was my usual response. For kids, it’s always about imagining, and in that our answers were the same. But in addition to imagining, I liked to MAKE. To form, build, and especially to draw and paint. To use my eyes, hands and imagination to set the scene, to tell the story.
It’s still the same today. I’m constantly inspired by nature, as well as the ordinary components of human life, which I internalize and express as the extraordinary wonders they actually are. The way the sunlight slants in May. When you see a blue shadow with gold tones coming through.
Hillary Miller
I’m a child, and it’s playtime. “What do you want to do?” my companions would ask me, at the age when lots of kids liked to play with dolls or toy soldiers. “Let’s color!” was my usual response. For kids, it’s always about imagining, and in that our answers were the same. But in addition to imagining, I liked to MAKE. To form, build, and especially to draw and paint. To use my eyes, hands and imagination to set the scene, to tell the story.
Kelly
During my youth I learned to adapt to any situation, like a chameleon, blending in or changing as the moment required. I guess that childhood is also where I developed my love for all things funky, colorful, dark and beautiful.
Art for me is an adventure of the unknown. Sometimes a means of escape, sometimes a chance to work out a recurring idea, and sometimes a leap of faith. I’m very passionate with what I am making in the moment but I can easily jump to the next thing that inspires me. At a young age I would draw and design clothing. When I received my first sewing machine I started sewing my own clothes, redesigning existing ones and changing patterns. In high school I studied oil and watercolor painting, legitimizing my creative interests in the arts, and giving me valuable experience in color mixing and blending.
Kelly
During my youth I learned to adapt to any situation, like a chameleon, blending in or changing as the moment required. I guess that childhood is also where I developed my love for all things funky, colorful, dark and beautiful.