Professional illustrator to teach in Community Arts of Tecumseh program

By CRISTINA TRAPANI-SCOTT

Among the many artists set to begin teaching classes through the newly formed Community Arts of Tecumseh (CAT) is Tecumseh native Chuck Gillies, a professional illustrator who has painted images of such notable athletes as Brett Favre, John Elway and Michael Jordon. Gillies will teach a four-week Saturday course throughout April on painting with acrylics, sharing his step-by-step process of adding color to illustrations and drawings.

“Phenomenal,” CAT co-director Martha Melcher said of bringing someone of Gillies’ caliber in to teach courses. “We are hoping people realize how special this whole venture is. We have phenomenal teachers like Chuck. We really want to be a high caliber art center. Right now, we offer mostly visual arts, but we want to be in all aspects of the arts. There needs to be a place for people to come together and share ideas.”

Gillies, who came to CAT through his friendship with co-director Jean Lash, is pleased to return to Tecumseh and offer support to the arts community in the area. This isn’t the first time he’s contributed his talents to giving Tecumseh programs a boost, however. He also donated a piece of his work to the first CIS of the Tecumseh Area Art Affair.

“She [Lash] asked me if I wanted to teach a class, and I felt it was an honor to be a part of this because this is my hometown. I love Tecumseh,” said Gillies.

Growing up in Tecumseh, Gillies had no idea what direction his career path would take. He had taken art classes all the way through high school, but said he felt trying to make a living at art wasn’t seen as a practical career at the time. After graduating high school, he earned a business degree at Ferris State University. As he interviewed for his first job, he had a gnawing feeling that he was headed in the wrong direction. That’s when he decided to give art a go and began taking courses at Kendall College of Art and Design.

Gillies  has been illustrating for more than 35 years, now, and has done advertising work for such corporations as Ford Motor Company, Kmart, Cabela’s, FTD, Princess Cruise Lines and more. In addition, he illustrates collectibles and has worked for the Bradford Exchange and Upper Deck, rendering images for trading cards for all kinds of professional sports. A sports enthusiasts himself, Gillies fell into painting sports figures while working as an illustrator for the Bradford Exchange where he painted images that were made into collectible plates. He said at the time his main subjects were Jesus and Santa Claus, and he was even commissioned to paint the image for the plate commemorating the 75th Anniversary of “T’was the Night Before Christmas.”

As Michael Jordan rose to stardom in the NBA, the Braford Exchange looked to their handful of steady artists to render his images for a series of plates. “They said, ‘We know you are the Jesus and Santa Claus guy, but how do you feel about basketball?’” he said.
Gillies’ career in sports paintings blossomed from there. He also has illustrated book covers.

In everything he illustrates, he brings a bit of home. Gillies has used Tecumseh as inspiration often as well as family members. On a recent visit to Tecumseh, he surprised his mother, longtime Tecumseh resident Jeanette Gillies, with a piece he painted from a photograph of her as a little girl.

In addition to his long career as a working artist, Gillies has taught art for 25 years at the Center for Creative Studies (CCS) in Detroit. He said it was through his work at Skidmore Studio in Royal Oak that he was connected with CCS. He understands that everyone has a starting point and encourages people at any stage of artistic ability to join.
“At CCS I have freshmen who have never painted and seniors who are really good. They are all fun to work with,” he said, adding that he enjoys watching students realize their abilities and knows there are hidden talents in small towns waiting to emerge.

In addition to Gillies’ class, there are classes of all types from basic drawing to photography to textiles to watercolor and more. There will even be open studio time on Mondays from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. starting April 12.

“I’m just hoping our art center will fulfill everyone’s needs from advanced artists to beginners,” said Lash.

A full class schedule can be found at the City of Tecumseh website at www.mytecumseh.org under parks and recreation. Those who wish to support Community Arts of Tecumseh by becoming a member can call 423.0000 or fill out the membership form in the back of the schedule of classes.