About
Wrinkle Art is an online gallery where making art accessible to everyone is key to our purpose. Founder Samuel Gillis has been classically trained for over twelve years in the Atelier Alternative and a BA at Indiana University majoring in fine art with a minor in history of art. Spending at least a year on a painting or feverishly paintings several works of art on a daily basis is not uncommon.
Painting over twenty thousand works of art that are in collections around the world he has donated dozens of fine art originals to various charities especially helping those with mental illness. Nurturing those with disability, putting a brush in their hand and letting them create is very satisfying to Samuel Gillis and giving artists that usually do not have a voice a forum to showcase their art on Wrinkle Art.
He has an extensive gallery CV and I have been in the gallery business for over twelve years. His carrier as a professional artist nurturing and mentoring many artists from all walks of life. to help them express their creative voice in many different styles, mediums and techniques.
Teaching individual students or take on dozens of budding artists Sam goes in with a smile and has a very professional ethical philosophy giving 110% to how he trains artists. He feels that classical training is important and that training has a purpose and at the same time that training can and should be broken to find a voice.
Sam's philosophy is make art accessible to everyone and if you can pick up a brush he feels everyone has an artist in them wanting to come out.
I enjoy putting smiles on the faces of my students, nurturing them to excel in their own unique styles and techniques. I have over 25 years experienece and have lots to offer studentsw. Check out my site www.gilliscontemporary.com to view work and exhibit resumes. You can find me on Social media like Linkedin, Facebook, Twitter and more.
Reviews
Katie G.
Melissa B.
Priscilla G.
Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
Getting to know their passion by asking some questions on what they want to learn. Adapting lesson plans that suit their needs and creativity. Supplying them with the wisdom and insight that will help them grow as artists.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
Areas of Artistic Expertise
• High-end art sales
• Private collectors
• Art history, theory, research
• Artistic networks and communities
• Artist research and acquisition
• Art handler
• Art cataloguing, image management
• Installation of art
• Space fluidity
• Hang, light, label
• Theme/sequence
• Space reconfiguration
• Dynamic dialogue
• Recruitment and selection
• Inter-cultural exchanges
• Event production, entertainment booking, catering, staffing, sponsorships
• Marketing and PR
• Community outreach
Skills
• Social networking, facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Pinterest, YouTube, Ovation TV
• Email marketing, MPZMail, Constant Contact, Eventbrite, SurveyMonkey
• Marketing, branding, press kits, artist packaging
• Website design and maintenance, Blogger, Wordpress, Wix
• Design for web, print and logos
• Graphics, Photoshop, Illustrator, Gimp
• Microsoft Office: Word, Excel, Powerpoint
• Digital design, Intuos, Cameo, Avid
Education
Indiana University South Bend • South Bend, IN
BA in Studio Art with minor in History of Art • Graduating May 2016
School of the Art Institute of Chicago • Chicago, IL
Completed work BA in Studio Painting • 2013 – 2014
Northeastern Illinois University • Chicago, IL
Completed work on BA in Studio Art • 2012 – 2013
The Atelier Alternative • Chicago, IL
Classical training • 1996 – 2006
Awards and Honors
School of the Art Institute Chicago • Merit Scholarship Recipient for Study in Painting
Northeastern Illinois University • Eagle Merit Award
Northeastern Illinois University • Art Department Merit Scholarship for Study in Painting
Northeastern Illinois
Do you have a standard pricing system for your lessons? If so, please share the details here.
The rate is 25. an hour minimum of three hours persession.
How did you get started teaching?
Started teaching in Chicago over twenty years ago at Genesis Artists Village.
What types of students have you worked with?
Working with students from all walks of life in various stages in their artistic carieer. From the beginner to the advanced pushing the envelope to help them become better artists.
Describe a recent event you are fond of.
A recent event I am fond of is Art Battle Los Angeles. I was invited to be part of this international event and painted live in front of an audience who cast the vote of whom would advance in the creative art battle.
What advice would you give a student looking to hire a teacher in your area of expertise?
Go into any class with a voice and open mind to learning something new or revisit something to make it fresh.
What questions should students think through before talking to teachers about their needs?
what do you want to get out of the class?