Featured Space Artist: Michael McLellan

I was born on a dark and stormy night in Atlanta, GA. on July 11, 1950. That’s what my brother told me and he was at the drive-in with my grandparents and not all that happy to be in the car, in the rain, trying to watch a movie. So it really was dark and stormy. We moved to Kansas City when I was an infant and it is here that I live today with my lovely wife and my good old dog Scooter. Ok, I don’t have a dog but I do have a lovely wife Kathryn.

In my youth I was known as Mike or Mac. ( For some reason I am now called Michael. My age I suppose.) In school I was known as an up and coming young humorist and amused many of my teachers with my quick wit, I feel sure. I knew their many requests for me to leave the classroom was to convey to the class that I was certainly one clever young lad and that they could all try a little harder to be like me. When I was allowed back in I could feel the love.

A version of this interesting effect followed me into high school and I was asked to leave the schools (yes, more than one) on a number of occasions. Jealousy on their part I figured. I was beginning to show some talent by this time. Not in art especially, that would be a number of years down the road, no, my talent was in fine tuning the attitude that leads one to be an artist. Plus, the leaders of these schools did seem dull and thick witted to me, but who was I to judge? That was the problem. Who was I to judge? But judge I did and I told them of my judgments. Here again I was astonished to find that they had absolutely no sense of humor whatsoever. As all good things must, it finally came to an end.

By this time I was playing drums professionally and having the time of my life, something that would become a staple. Not drums, but having the time of my life. While playing drums I became a free-lance writer of jokes for Hallmark Cards and enjoyed the work and people I met there very much. Since Hallmark is located here in Kansas City many artists and writers of all types live in the area and it’s a great place to be an artist. It was by meeting the artists at Hallmark that I decided to become and artist. I went to their homes where they worked. They worked at their own pace and could go out to lunch or take a day off when they wanted. I was sold. But after years of cartooning, which I did quite poorly, I decided I wanted to become a serious painter.

I entered the studio of Prof. Fritz Jaeger on July 8, 1974 and was his apprentice until his death in January of 1980, one week short of this 85th birthday. This guy knew it all and he taught it all to me through very long days of work for years on end. I would never have a better time in my life. Oils, Pastels, Watercolors, Pencil, Charcoal, Etching, everything. He had been a student at the Art Institute of Vienna in the early part of the 20th century. After his graduation he taught there for twenty years before coming to the United States in 1938. He was truly a master. And a great teacher.

I have been selling to private collectors for my entire career. I have rarely exhibited anywhere although there is a plan in the works for a one man show in India in December 2009.

That’s my biography. I’ve been an artist since I was thirteen and learned to play guitar. (I told my father I wanted to play drums so he bought me a very nice guitar. Don’t ask me?) Then I did get my drums and played, wrote cards, then became a painter. Does it get any better?

Michael McLellan
July 22, 2008

If you need to contact Michael McLellan, send an email to mmclellan@kc.rr.com

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