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The mark of a great mentor is the ability to see talent through differences
in style, to pull the student through learning experiences, not mold them. As Richard Hill Chase mentored me in my development
as an artist he was careful to put me through exercises to find my voice, rather than choose a voice for me. I
will forever be grateful to the great talent and the great mentoring of Richard Hill Chase. I took photographs
of his personal collection--these watercolors show the range of brilliance, the choice of color in influencing mood, and his
incredible sense of composition.
In April, 2004 Richard Hill Chase passed away. He willed all of his art
supplies, books and materials to me. Over 50 years of teaching----I was his last art student. At his funeral,
I expounded on his genious as I choked back the emotion of losing my mentor. He never took the time to put his art out
into the world--his contribution, his calling was in teaching. It wasn't just what he said, it was how he said it, how
he moved the student through the exercises and pushed them to discover their own artist inside. I did my best to bring
this genious to life in my autobiography. If you ever suspected there might be an artist in you, you may want to read this book.
May God bless his soul.
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