Meet Allison Gillies

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Allison Gillies. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Allison, thanks so much for taking the time to share your insights and lessons with us today. We’re particularly interested in hearing about how you became such a resilient person. Where do you get your resilience from?

Through perseverance and resilience, I have made a full-time living as an Educator and Artist.
I had several jobs through high school, college, and life – including waitress, food prep, barista, sales of books and art supplies, landscaping, Biology lab assistant, assisting curator at a Museum of Science and History, accountant, caring for canines, etc. It certainly was a winding road of figuring out my path…. albeit I was always creating Visual Artworks each year. Working in the Service and Food industries gives you a lot of perspective and another reason why I tip well. I think everyone should teach for a year and work in customer service for a year; our world would be a kinder place.
The journey into my profession began in the mid-nineties when I was determined to become an Art Professor, because I was fortunate to have incredible and inspiring mentors – who changed the trajectory of my life.
Artists and Professors who personally inspired me in the Arts include Louise Freshman-Brown, Dr. Debra Murphy, Ke-Hsin Jenny Chi, Dr. John Calabrese and Susan kae Grant. THANK YOU to All who taught life lessons and encouraged my growth as an Artist.
Friends who have become Family, Fellow Artists, Educators and Colleagues…you all have shaped my life.

Knowing what I know now…please remove the stigma away from Community Colleges, because they are excellent choices in helping to support students on their life journeys. Education can open doors in our lives…and ultimately you make the place – whether it’s college or a job; your own determination, your own Spirit, and following your goals. If it wan’t for Community Colleges – I would not be where I am today.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

My own winding roads in life have influenced me as an Artist and Educator with understanding, patience, and compassion. I began my teaching career in Academia in 2003, and grateful for my faculty position as a Professor of Art at Dallas College – North Lake Campus.

For the past 21 years, I have been a professor/instructor and taught many courses (approx. 300) in Art including all levels of Life Drawing, Artistic Anatomy, Painting, Art History, Design, Art Appreciation, Women in the Arts (Art History and Gender Studies), Graduate Courses – all around the DFW metroplex.

I grew up mostly in the Midwest (near Chicago) and moved to Texas in 2001 to be closer to my Mother Carol and to attend Graduate School at Texas Woman’s University. I have been an active exhibiting Artist for over 25 years, teaching Community workshops and volunteering with Canine Companions (love this nonprofit organization – https://canine.org/). These Canine Companions puppies bring us great joy! I had to attend Puppy College last year to learn about their training and our Dallas College Campus is certified for Therapy Dogs to visit. Volunteering and Puppy Sitting has been life changing for me too. The next wave of my artwork includes narratives of how these service dogs change people’s lives.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

The biggest one is adaptability and be prepared for changes in your job, field or discipline.
Your goals are attained by action; take initiative of your Life!
Write down your goals, turn off social media (or place a timer on these apps), and find mentors or inspiring people in your field(s) of study to make professional connections. Meeting one good person can change the trajectory of your life for the better.

Ask questions and be curious…continue learning and creating!

There’s a brilliant commencement speech by Teresita Fernández and love her statement, “And lastly, when other things in life get tough, when you’re going through family troubles, when you’re heartbroken, when you’re frustrated with money problems, focus on your work. It has saved me through every single difficult thing I have ever had to do, like a scaffolding that goes far beyond any traditional notions of a career.”

{https://www.themarginalian.org/2014/12/29/teresita-fernandez-commencement-address/ }

Alright so to wrap up, who deserves credit for helping you overcome challenges or build some of the essential skills you’ve needed?

My Mother has been a key support in my life and now I am her caregiver. My Mom has been supportive of my Artistic journey and especially taking the time to listen to my road in Academia through the years. I was able to live with my Mother while juggling Adjunct Faculty positions (aka the Adjunct-Grind) and she was able to babysit my Heart Dog ‘Claudio’ during those time periods and forever grateful.
Incredible Professors and Mentors truly changed the trajectory of my life! Professor Emeritus Louise Freshman Brown is number one on my list of inspiring and guiding mentors. Thank You Louise – You are the Best!
You really only need a few good people to help you on your journey. When you’re facing adversity and call upon others; see who shows up. These people are your family.
Friends (including LGBTQ+ Friends) who have become Family, Fellow Artists, Educators, Colleagues and Volunteers…you all have shaped my life.

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