Constance McMillan

Constance McMillan, American, 1924-2006. A 1960s oil on canvas figural scene depicting two women walking with bags in pastel hues. Signed "C. McMillian" and dated "'68" lower right, additionally signed verso. Image 19 1/2 x 15 1/4, framed 22 3/4 x 18 1/2" high overall. Some surface grunge and areas of wear/lifting.

Constance McMillan was an accomplished painter whose work in oil and watercolor was exhibited widely throughout her career, from early solo shows in 1950s New York to later exhibitions in Michigan. She made her solo debut at the Morris Gallery in Greenwich Village in 1956, where she received first prize for her work. Her exhibition history spans more than three decades and includes regular solo exhibitions at Panoras Gallery in New York City, culminating in a final one-person show at Phoenix Gallery, SoHo, in 1989. In Michigan, she was a regular exhibitor in Ann Arbor’s art scene and participated in major group exhibitions, including the Rackham Gallery Invitational at the University of Michigan and shows organized by the Michigan Watercolor Society.

McMillan studied painting and sculpture at Bennington College (B.A., 1946), where she trained under Karl Knaths and Simon Moselsio. She continued her studies at the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center with Boardman Robinson and later earned her M.A. in art history and ceramic sculpture from Mills College in 1955, where she studied with Alfred Neumeyer and Antonio Prieto. She also attended a summer program at the University of Michigan in 1965, studying under Frank Cassara.

In addition to her painting, McMillan illustrated several books, including Chikka (1962), Ponies for a King (1963), and Lillian Smith’s Memory of a Large Christmas (1962). She also contributed to the arts through teaching, holding instructional roles in painting, design, and art history at schools in Colorado Springs, Troy (NY), and Ann Arbor.

McMillan was an active member of the American Federation of Arts, the Detroit Society of Women Painters, and the Ann Arbor Art Association, where she served on the board from 1964 to 1968. Her work was recognized with numerous awards, including first and honorable mention prizes from the Michigan Watercolor Society in the late 1960s.

Known for her expressive use of oils and acrylics, McMillan maintained a lifelong dedication to both creating and teaching art. Her legacy is one of consistent creative output, regional influence, and national exhibition.