Olin Gillis

Medium: oil on canvas prints

The value of art lies not just in the final piece, but in the journey of creation. The process itself is a powerful force for learning and transformation, which may outweigh the importance of the finished work. Mentor Irene Dodd at Valdosta State, instilled the enduring lesson: “It is the process and not the product.” The process that Olin went through to arrive at what you see is mine alone. You can take the product home with you. Having lived the process, he learned, he grew. He gets to keep that.​

Olin began sketching, drawing, painting, or wanting to at a very early age. People told him that he was good at this ‘Art’ thing, so he did it again, and again. Maturity brings the realization that there is more to it than anyone’s approval. Even his own.