Lewis Lee Tilley III, painter, poet, printmaker, photographer, illustrator, watercolorist, animator, filmmaker, writer, graphic designer, computer art expert, scholar, experimental architect, actor, set designer, raconteur, gourmet cook, jazz fan and world traveler

[deb...@comcast.net]

Lewis Lee Tilley III, painter, poet, printmaker, photographer,
illustrator, watercolorist, animator, filmmaker, writer, graphic
designer, computer art expert, scholar, experimental architect, actor,
set designer, raconteur, gourmet cook, jazz fan and world traveler,
left this earthly life in the early hours of October 4, 2005, at the
home of his daughter, Eve and her husband, Sol Chavez, in Colorado
Springs. Born in Parrott, Georgia, May 17, 1921to the union of Margaret
Wright and Lewis Lee Tilley II, Lew was an artist from the beginning.
His mother could always tell where he had spent his day by peeking in
his sketchbook. He began his professional career in 1937 at the High
Museum of Art in Atlanta, Georgia, studying with Lamar Dodd, Jean
Charlot, and John Held Jr., and came to the Pikes Peak Region in 1938
to study with Boardman Robinson, eventually becoming an instructor in
painting, drawing, printmaking and design for the Colorado Springs Fine
Arts Center Art School and the Colorado College. He held a B.A from the
University of Georgia and an MFA from the University of Guanajuato
Mexico through the University of Colorado, where he studied at the
Instituto de Allende. A "migratory bird" at heart, he took his family
to San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, for the year of 1952 and then
returned home to 30 Mesa Road and became a free lance artist writer and
muralist. From 1958 to 1962 he was writer-producer-director at
Alexander Film Company. In 1962 he took a two-year tour of duty with
USAID in Kaduna, Nigeria, working with the British Ministry of
Education and the Peace Corps. When he returned he became professor of
art at the University of Southern Colorado (now CSU Pueblo) until his
retirement in1985. In the 1970s he designed and built an African-style
house in Georgia. He was also a pioneer in computer art and wrote
articles and designed covers for "Your Amiga "Magazine in the late
1980's and early '90's. Among his honors were winning the purchase
prize at the inaugural Canon City Blossom Festival (the first arts
festival of its kind in the country) completing the circle when he
returned as judge for their 50th anniversary. At USC he was voted
"Outstanding Faculty Member" for 1979-1980 and also won an annual
co-eds "Male Chauvinist Pig" award. In 2002 he received the Pikes Peak
Arts Council/Arts Business Education "It's about Time" award, and in
2003 the Peak Area Performances and Artists (PAPA) "Best Artist" award.
He is also survived by his wife of 59 years, Martha; other daughter,
Meg Anderson (Bond) of Parrott, Georgia; and grandchildren: Lewis,
Christopher (Emily) and Michael Keller, India (Robert Williams) and
Erin Anderson. He was preceded in death by his brother, Augustus Wright
Tilley. At his request there is an artists' call to design the
container for his ashes, which will be placed in the family mausoleum
in Parrott, Georgia. Deadline for submittals is October 15. The winner
will receive a Lew Tilley lithograph or etching (call 719-475-2465).
The memorial service is Saturday, October 29, 1:00 - 3:00 pm in the
Deco Lounge at the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center. In lieu of
flowers make donations to the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center, 30 W.
Dale Street, Colorado Springs, 80903 or the Sangre de Cristo Arts
Center, 210 N. Santa Fe, Pueblo, 81003. Lew Tilley died as he lived -
on his own terms.
Published in The Gazette on 10/9/2005.