Lewis Tilley Obituary

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.