Milli Janatková

A distinctive visual artist and musician with roots in the Pošumaví region and the Bohemian Paradise. She travels often and enjoys it. Her artwork focuses on the theme of landscape, exploring the deeper themes of self-discovery and the path to balance. These themes are reflected in both delicate and energetic hues in her watercolor paintings and colorful linocuts. The artist creates her watercolors directly en plein air. The paintings then serve as models for her linocuts and eye-catching plates, which become artifacts highlighting the patient process of engraving. The artist has been exhibiting since 2003 in solo and group exhibitions (Paper View New York, Konta Bariéry Artists’ Salons, Múzy dětem, and others.) She has received three honorable mentions for graphic art (Graphic Art of the Year Prague, International Rokycany Biennial).In music, she focuses on singing, playing the guitar and drums, improvisation, and composing her own songs. She has been performing publicly since 2006. She creates original music that blends genres and multimedia projects that express respect for our ancestors, life, and health. She has released three albums—*Hluboko* (2020), *Mým kořenům* (2017), and *Proměna* (2013), which won the Independent Music Awards in New York and was nominated for the prestigious Classis Prague Awards. She is currently completing an original project titled *Klid, prosím!* (*Peace, Please!*), a collection of psychosomatic songs and artwork for the body and mind. In the *Hluboko* project, she breathes new life into the oldest Czech songs, including creative pilgrimages to our oldest architectural monuments. In connection with the project *Mým kořenům* (*To My Roots*), she is compiling a family tree, traveling to places where her ancestors lived, and painting primarily the horizon of the landscape as a symbol of the continuing family lineage. She is currently engaged in freelance creative work and gardening. She has taught as a music and special education teacher at the Duncan Centre Conservatory in Prague (2021–2017 and 2014–2010), led creative workshops at the Czech Technical University (ČVUT) – CIPS (2010–2008), and as an English instructor for corporate clients (2010–2001). She earned a degree in etopedics—special education for teachers—from Charles University (2021), as well as degrees in visual arts (2009) and English language and literature (2005) from the University of Hradec Králové. In 2008, she participated in an internship at the University of Évora in Portugal, where she studied drawing, graphic arts, singing, and Portuguese. She has traveled extensively throughout Europe and, thanks to an award from The Independent Music Awards, visited New York. She also completed a successful music tour and an artist residency in West Bengal, India. Aside from her creative pursuits, she most enjoys relaxing in silence and savoring life.Awards (music and visual arts):2021: Rasamatee Samman (Kulo Creative Society, India)2019: The Independent Music Awards, USA (Hluboko – World Traditional)2018: The Independent Music Awards, USA (Mým kořenům – A Capella)2018: Classic Prague Awards – nomination for the Mým kořenům project (Crossover)2018: Mělník City Award – plaque for artistic representation2016: The Independent Music Awards, USA – four nominations (Klid, prosím! and Proměna)2014: The Independent Music Awards, USA – four nominations (Proměna)2010: Anděl Award – nomination for the project *Katsa.theo – Porto* (Alternative)2008: 4th International Rokycany Biennial of Graphic Art (Honorable Mention from the expert jury for graphic design)2007: Graphic Art of the Year 2006, Prague (Honorable Mention from the Expert Jury for Graphic Art)2006: 3rd International Rokycany Graphic Art Biennial (Honorable Mention from the Expert Jury for Graphic Art)