About Vel Miller

Vel Miller –

The spirit of the West isn’t confined to a cowboy roping a calf or an indigenous hunter chasing buffalo—it lives in all of us. It’s the story of hardships and rewards, reflected in simple moments like a child with their animals or parents guiding their children. It’s the wonder in a new crop of calves or foals and the call of a rooster announcing a sparkling day.

Though some images exist only in the works of artists before us, there are endless stories still to tell. Whether through craftsmanship, painting, sculpture, singing, or storytelling, artists strive to capture the enduring love we feel for the West. This love keeps the Spirit of the West alive, and we invite you to share in it with us.

Vel’s Journey & Achievements:

Vel studied under Hal Reed and Max Turner at the Art League of Los Angeles, where she later became an instructor. She was deeply inspired by Joe De Yong, a protégé of Charlie Russell, whose stories and passion for the Old West fueled her creativity.

Throughout her career, Vel has earned over 40 awards, including “Firsts,” “Best of Show,” and “Purchase Awards,” and her work can be found in museums and private collections worldwide. Her achievements have been celebrated in Contemporary Western Artists, multiple editions of Southwest Art, and Art of the West magazines. She is also listed in Who’s Who in the West, Who’s Who in American Women, and An Encyclopedia of Women Artists of the American West.

In 1997, Vel was commissioned to illustrate the Western Horseman’s Cowboy Calendars from 1997 to 2000. More recently, she exhibited her work in Sorrento, Italy, as a founding member of The American Women Artists, where the city’s mayor purchased one of her pieces.

Major Commissions & Works:

One of Vel’s most notable achievements is her eight-foot-high bronze sculpture titled Reward for Valor, depicting a fireman passing a child to a policewoman. This heroic monument was commissioned by the city of Paso Robles, CA, and was dedicated in January 2005.

She has also created a private commission of Ronald Reagan on horseback during the 1965 Pioneer Parade. A limited edition of this piece, titled Our American Legacy, features a base with Reagan’s quotes and the outline of California. The sculpture, along with Vel’s Old Duke, a bronze of Reagan’s first Longhorn steer, is displayed at the Ronald Reagan Ranch Museum in Santa Barbara, CA.

Vel’s most recent commission involves creating two life-sized busts of the dressage mare, Flame, for Templeton Farms—a world-class dressage center. The sculptures greet visitors as they enter the farm’s gates.

Additionally, Vel collaborated with poet Gary McMahan to illustrate and bring to life his work Cowboys Ain’t Always Human in a charming book that blends their talents.

Life on the Ranch:

Vel and her husband, Warren, reside on a Central Coast ranch, where they raise and train Texas Longhorn cattle and American Quarter Horses. This ranch is not only their home but a source of endless inspiration and subject matter for Vel’s artistry.