Ken Miller Paints New Series While Battling ALS

Ken Miller is currently preparing a new exhibition titled Beyond Terminal for two galleries in the United States. His paintings are scheduled to appear at the Jack Meier Gallery in Houston and the Trimper Gallery in Greenwich, Connecticut.

Miller has been living with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis since March 2024. The diagnosis came more than two years before this week's interview with Dan's Papers. He described the condition as a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects motor neurons, causing muscle weakness and stiffness.

The artist initially worried the illness would alter both the execution and the source of his creativity. He completed his first painting two months after his diagnosis. He stated that the work possessed an energy that was not present in his previous pieces.

Miller adapts his physical setup to accommodate the disease. He wraps his paintbrushes in foam to create a grip suitable for his hands. Because his arms do not raise easily above his head, he uses his power wheelchair to elevate himself to the correct height for painting.

Before his diagnosis, Miller was a photographer and author. He published The Hamptons: Long Island’s East End with Rizzoli in 1993. He said his background in photography helped him understand how to use space effectively on a canvas. His current paintings often feature koi, landscapes, or cocktails.

Miller favors bold representations that sometimes cross into surrealism. He views the changes in his body as a challenge that excites him rather than a negative force. He noted that while his work may change as the disease progresses, the energy remains strong and positive.

Support systems in the Long Island area have assisted the artist. ALS Ride For Life, an organization founded by Christopher Pendergast, helped make Miller's home and studio accessible. The group also provided an accessible vehicle for his wheelchair. Miller participates in the Christopher Pendergast ALS Association Center of Excellence at Stony Brook University Hospital.

He is also receiving an experimental drug through Columbia Presbyterian Hospital. Miller emphasized that ALS paralyzes muscles but does not remove feeling or intelligence. He noted that people with the condition can still create, write, teach, and invent.

Miller highlighted that eighty percent of people with ALS die within two to five years of diagnosis. He encouraged donations to ALS Ride For Life, stating that more than 90 cents of every dollar goes directly to helping patients and their families.

The artist is set to display his new work in Texas and Connecticut. His cover painting for this week's issue features a purple sky and pumpkins floating above a field. He said the surreal elements define the mood of Halloween, which he described as his favorite holiday.