66 Artists Magazine April 2020
laboratory. She enjoyed science, and when she was
accepted into the prestigious University Scholars pro-
gram at the University of Pennsylvania, she expected to
become a doctor.
She took the requisite chemistry and biology classes
but also took electives in painting. Her detailed draw-
ings of cells and other areas of study helped her do well
in school. The painting studio, however, appealed to
her more than any other place on campus, and even-
tually MacGillis changed her scholastic emphasis to
a double major in psychology and painting. In order
to make up for lost time, the director of the arts pro-
gram, Julie Saecker Schneider, suggested that MacGillispursue a six-week summer intensive
at the International School of Art in
Monte Castello di Vibio, Italy. The
school was directed by Nick Carone
(1917-2010), one of the leading
figures in the New York School of
Abstract Expressionism, who sought
out instructors with a variety of
approaches in order to ensure that
students gained a facility with draw-
ing and painting. After graduating
from college, MacGillis returned to
the International School of Art withLEFT
Il Cavallo
Bianco
oil on linen,
20x16BELOW
La Mattina
oil on linen
panel, 16x16