Sillman snapshots

"Si was my teacher for color and drawing at RISD. Dare say - life-changing experience.""He used to drive up to RISD in his Black Jag convertible, aloof and indiscernible... and fascinating.""Sewell Sillman was absolutely the most important professor I studied with at RISD. He gave me the tools that are the backbone of my color work today.""He was the most demanding, knowledgeable, and at times, the most exasperating instructor I had in my entire art school experiences. I was very happy to be there.""Si was like a second father to me, and he was also my mentor. When I grew up and went into the arts, he guided me. After school, I moved to New York, and he gave me private classes in color theory for quite some time, all in exchange for a case of champagne.""We would come into his class and put our studies up along the board, and hold  (sometimes literally!) our breath while he would slowly and very critically look them over. A very demanding teacher with an incredible sensitivity to color.""He made a huge impression on me. I had taken many drawing classes over the years and learned a lot about drawing - but he taught me to see."

Throughout the exhibition Pushing Limits, we've been incredibly lucky to hear from Sewell Sillman's students. The anecdotes that they've shared about their teacher have ranged from colorful and amusing to moving and inspirational. Read on for some of our favorite snippets from former students who are now designers, art professors, and award-winning painters.