Some help from Doug Higgins

I got in touch with Doug Higgins, former Reilly student and author of Frank Reilly School of Art. He had this to add to our Search

"Hello Mr. Gist,

Mr. Reilly used to call me into his office for a chat now and then and I remember his telling me about the correspondence course. As I recall, he said someone in the lumber business in, I think, Oregon discovered that there was money to be made in the art correspondence school business and got in touch with Mr. Reilly to put one together, which he did. I also recall that he was a little upset with Clark Hulings who, in a step by step painting, had completely changed the background in the final panel.

Many years later I became friends with Clark Hulings. We both now live in Santa Fe and he showed me his copy of the book. It was very large and very thick. I'm afraid I only spent a few moments with the book and only looked at Clark's section so there's not much more I can tell you about it. Whether it was launched or not I can't say but it did make it to final book form. I also remember that Henry Gasser was one of the artists included. Henry was my boss at the Prudential in Newark and the one who told me about Mr. Reilly's school.

You might try getting in touch with Clark but he's quite old now and in poor health.

I'm very aware of your name and what's going on at the Watts Atelier and applaud your efforts. From what I can tell, the student work is excellent, as is yours of course, and I'm sure Mr. Reilly would be proud.

Fraternally,

Doug Higgins"

I am currently trying to get in touch with Mr. Hulings, if anyone out there can help with this it would be greatly appreciated.

Also I found the author and topic of Lessons 6, 14 and 30 (see the lesson list to the right)