Ralph Davidson Miller was born in Cincinnati, OH on Sept 7, 1858.  The artist spent his early career in Kansas City and specialized in still life paintings.  His mentor was George C. Bingham who critiqued Miller's painting technique.  In the 1880's Miller lived in New Mexico where he painted the local scenery. He had many painting excursions into the mountains and the deserts of Colorado, Arizona and New Mexico.

In 1893 the artist settled in Los Angeles where he continued as a successful artist.  His works are part of the California Historical Society; Santa Fe Railway collection; Santa Barbara Historical Society and Gardena High School.  Miller exhibited his works at the prominent Kanst Gallery, Los Angeles 1909, the Steckel Gallery Los Angeles, 1910, 1912; Blanchard Gallery, Los Angeles, 1911; Wilshire Gallery, Los Angeles, 1927.  

Miller remained a resident of Los Angeles with the exception of a period in the mid-1920s when in lived on the Monterey Peninsula. Often taking painting excursions along the California coast as far north at Mendocino, he painted stunning coastal and landscape paintings that remain a source of inspiration today.