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Lilian May Miller (American, 1895–1943)
Festival of Lanterns, Nara (Japan), 1934

American painter and printmaker Lilian May Miller (1895–1943) lived between two worlds. Born and raised in Japan, she began studying Japanese painting styles at age nine and was later honored with the art name Gyokka (Jeweled Flower). After attending Vassar College in New York, the artist, an unconventional woman who preferred to be called “Jack,” would ultimately support herself with woodblock printing. She carved her own blocks and printed her own work, which became sought after for both its delicacy and atmospheric power.