Remembering Clifton McChesney: former Michigan State University professor and legendary painter
By J.T. Bohland
Williamston Watercooler staff writer
Clifton M. McChesney
Williamston resident Clifton (Clif) M. McChesney passed away March 17 at the age of 82. He was born Feb. 8, 1929 in Gary, Ind. and served in the Marine Corps from 1946 to 1948. McChesney is survived by Jane McChesney, his wife of 59 years.
Early in life, McChesney studied art at professional schools in Chicago before becoming a Hoosier at Indiana University. His studies continued at Cranbrook Academy of Art in Bloomfield Hills, Mich. where he achieved his Masters of Fine Arts degree.
Known internationally for his abstract painting style influenced by traditional Japanese art forms, McChesney’s work has been shown in Japanese cities such as, Tokyo, Kyoto and Otsu. His art has also been publicized in San Francisco, New York, Chicago, Indianapolis and Washington. To this day, his work is displayed in the Detroit Institute of Arts, University of Michigan Art Museum, University of California Art Museum, Cranbrook Art Museum and many private collections both nationally and internationally.
Locally, McChesney is most remembered for his work as a professor of art for the Michigan State University Art Department from 1960 to retirement in 1991. During this time McChesney and his colleagues helped Michigan State University become a leading institution in the study of art and in 1985 was awarded the Distinguished Faculty Award for the College of Art and Letters.
MOBY II painted by Clifton McChesney hangs in the Wharton Center at Michigan State University.
“He always struck me as someone who was really generous in spirit and loved to laugh,” said Thomas Berding, chair and associate professor of painting in the Department of Art and Art History at Michigan State University. “He seemed to have a lot of joy about the study of art and the sharing of his love of painting.
“It’s a loss for the mid-Michigan community and for the field of painting,” he said. “Clif was a dedicated practitioner, an established artist, and was a powerful American painter.”
In his spare time, McChesney also enjoyed being active and staying physically fit.
“He was someone who ran everyday,” said professor of art and art history Peter Glendinning. “Once upon a time, after his class let out around 4 o’clock he would put on his running shorts and sneakers and he’d take off. He was an active and vigorous runner. I think it went along with his character, because whatever Clif did, he did it full speed ahead.”
1 comment:
I loved both Clif and Jane. I wish Michael and I had done a better job of staying in contact with their family as I suspect Jane is no longer living on her own. I find it a bit ironic that Sean has two of their pieces of art work - one he purchased at one Jane's exhibits and another he received as a gift from Clif when he graduated.
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