Flybrushes

“To create the varied marks (what he calls ‘hits’) for his new work, Miller then began to  experiment with various materials – wool, cotton, rubber, plastic, and nylon – shaping loops,  lines, balls, and knots designed to deliver paint in distinct patterns. These were steadily refined to  form what Miller calls his fly brushes. They are alternative life forms in mostly natural shapes,  creatures with long feelers, short wings, and fat thoraxes - a private entomology of special  effects. 

Miller’s brushes fall into main types: one for the varied courses of water, the other for the  many shapes and contours of rocks. Water flies will vary by the amount of paint they can hold,  how forcefully they leave a mark (active water needs sharper and broader hits from several  strands at once, smooth flowing water needs applications from single lines). Rock flies, large and  small, deliver concentrated shapes. 

In the best angler’s tradition, Miller names each of his fly brushes. Some are obvious – Squid, Caterpillar, Cocoon, Worm – others fanciful: the Anarchy Beetle, Slop Plug, Toobal, Voop-Voop, and Major Tom’s, to mention only a few. Miller draws each one in a large  sketchbook, adding a lengthy notation of what each is for and how it works. “