Samuel Gillis

Forever the brave explorer into the realm of the imagination, this collection from Samuel Gillis features characters visiting from the bailiwick of his rich inner landscape. A maverick of technique and master of form, Gillis invokes his fellow travelers to his canvas with his passion for their plight in their search for love and respite from loneliness. Through a chaotic attack of salient color that finds its way to an organized genius Gillis' elegant spirits find a permanent home where they can commune with their friends on the other side of the canvas.

The way I create and the mediums I use, along with the ground, varies and is very much influenced by the stresses of financial problems. I often have to create on whatever I have, not what I want. Sometimes I paint with business cards on pieces of cardboard because that’s what’s available. Once I painted with exterior house paint on pieces of cardboard that had carpet samples attached to it because I didn’t have any other brushes, canvas or paint.

Creating the Side Head series is an exploration of an alternate perceived reality. I am looking through an artistic pair of glasses and see a distorted image of what exists in our current society. I paint what I see, feel and perce...

Indiana University 2016 BA Studio Art/History of Art
Art Institute Chicago 2014 Scholarship Studio Art
NEIU Chicago 2013 - 14 Continued Education
Columbia College Chicago IL 1990 - 1994 Studio Art

Short Exhibit List

Museum Show/Solo Exhibitions

Fresh A.I.R. Gallery • Solo Exhibit • 2014 • Columbus, OH
National Mexican Fine Art Museum • 2008 • Chicago, IL

Exhibitions

Indiana University South Bend • 2015 • South Bend, IN
Indianapolis Art Center • 2015 • Indianapolis, IN
Box Factory for the Arts • 2014 • St. Joseph, MI
Frankenstone Art Center • 2012 • Chicago, IL
Fresh A.I.R. Gallery • 2012 • Columbus, OH
Maison Rouge Gallery • 2010 • Chicago, IL
Intuit • 2008 • Chicago, IL
John G. Shedd Aquarium • 2008 • Chicago, IL
The Arts Upstairs Gallery • 2007 • Pheonicia, NY
Chicago Cultural Center • 2006 • Chicago,
Harrington College of Design • Imagine Metamorphos
is Show • 2006 • Chicago, IL
Maison Rouge Gallery • 2006 •Chicago, IL
Indiana Center for the Arts • 2006 • Indianapolis, IN
River East Art Center • 2006 • Chicago, IL
The Creative Center Gallery • 2005 • New York, NY
Wright College Piece Expo • 2005 • Chicago, IL
Chicago Art Institute Third Floor Gallery • 2002 • Chicago, IL
Paintings Direct Gallery • 2002 • New York NY
Max Von Isser Gallery of Art • Elgin Community College Group Show • Artists of the Atelier • 1999 • Elgin, IL