PresentsThe History of W. C. Dillon, inventor of the Dynamometer and much more! Links
Robert's Paintings
Portait of an Engineer
Vintage Photos
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 Painting in the Arizona Desert ROBERT DILLON, although an accomplished artist, is much more — a multifaceted individual of uncommon talent and accomplishments during his long, storybook career. Creatively minded from the start, his early efforts at the age of 19 were focused on literature and poetry, resulting in the publication of four successful stage plays — which he also directed and performed in — a triple achievement for one so young. His poems aired regularly over popular NBC programs hosted by Tony Wons, a noted radio personality of the time. Dillon’s writing ability carried him to editorship of Automatic Age, a leading trade magazine, and to the creation of cover advertisements for Billboard magazine, plus acceptance of numerous short stories. Music also played a major role in Dillon’s younger life when he became an accomplished guitarist, banjoist, and pianist member of a Chicago jazz band during the fabled flapper era. He composed a number of romantic songs during that period of artistic growth. An unexpected shift in direction caught up with Robert in 1940, when he was induced to join forces with his father who had founded a scientific instrument manufacturing firm in Chicago. Robert’s five brothers eventually followed him. The company grew to become a prominent leader in its field — and the only business in America successfully managed by a father and six brothers for more than 40 years. Dillon products are still being manufactured and distributed world-wide. |
Robert, who became company president upon the death of his father, determined to embark upon yet another phase of his varied career — one which he had seriously considered on at least three occasions... beginning with his earliest years painting large posters on sheets of butcher paper attached to the blackboard in his 6th grade classes.
Later, in high school, he designed and painted stage play back-drops in the Balaban & Katz theatrical scenery docks in Chicago. His long-time artistic ambitions became a reality during his concluding business years when he began serious painting studies with noted artist instructors in Los Angeles... devoting evenings and weekends to his determined goal. Never doubting his aims, Robert continues to refine his technique with studies under such nationally recognized art masters as Clyde Aspevig, Valloy Eaton, Jim Wilcox, Ron McKee, Alan Wolton and others, traveling and analyzing famous masterpieces through- out France, Italy, England, Ireland, Switzerland and Austria. He has amassed a collection of some 8500 color slides for his reference and idea file, as well as a personal library (still growing) of 385 art books, to which he diligently applies himself between painting and field trips. Bright, colorful interpretations of English and Irish garden scenes are a particular joy to this tireless artist who, however, also creates astonishingly vivid studies of Southwest American deserts, Hawaiian seascapes, spectacular mountain vistas, and kaleido-scopic New England fall scenes. He is determined not to be cast in any particular mold, believing that a dedicated artist should be proficient in capturing life from every aspect. Robert’s work is in many private collections and is a resplendent addition to any home or office. His paintings are painstakingly stated - with a transcendent beauty which he happily shares in each new creation from his eloquent brush! ©2003 Dillon/Quality Plus, Inc. | |