As the gallery director at the Vogt Visual Arts Center in Tinley Park, I have had the opportunity to meet literally hundreds of artists over the years, and I can tell you that Tinley Park and our surrounding area is a treasure trove of artistic talent.
I recently met a young Tinley Park man brimming with talent named Michael Shields, who had a chance to use his skills to create a relief sculpture for St. Julie Billiart Catholic Church, 7399 W. 159th St. in Tinley Park. Shields is a parishioner there, and church officials learned of his talents after seeing a sculpture of the crucifix he created for St. Irenaeus Church in Park Forest. St. Julie’s asked Shields to create a sculpture for their church in commemoration of its anniversary.
They gave him an idea of what they were looking for, and he put together some drawings for them to consider. They were pleased with his conception of St. Julie and the format of three separate free-standing relief panels. Shields created the panels using an epoxy compound that will ensure that they will hold up to the weather. This was Shields’ first experience using the compound and he stated that he learned a lot during the construction of the project. The compound can be cast, as well as carved and sanded.
“I really like the versatility of the epoxy. It’s become one of my favorite mediums,” Shields said.
He developed his love of sculpture during his time as a student at Andrew High School in Tinley Park.
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In fact, his work was part of a high school exhibit in the past at our gallery. (No, I don’t represent him.)
Like most artists, Shields has felt the need to create since he was a child. At Andrew, he was able to take a variety of art classes, including drawing and ceramics. Although he always created two-dimensional work, the ceramics classes ignited a love of three-dimensional work that he still creates today.
“I found that there was something more to the 3-D work that excited me,” Shields said. “There is an engineering aspect to it that I like. It takes more thought to plan out how a piece can be constructed.”
He also has taken some continuing art classes after high school at Moraine Valley and the American Academy of Art in Chicago. Shields spent about five months creating the panels for St. Julie’s, which were originally on display inside the church but were mounted outside the main entrance last fall for the church’s anniversary, which is on Thanksgiving.
Shields told me that it is just a coincidence that he has created religious themed art.
“I am interested in all types of subject matter,” Shields said. “I look forward to new challenges.”
Shields, who also likes to create costumes, is currently creating a couple of Star Wars themed costumes, incorporating the epoxy compound he is so fond of.
“It works great on the helmets,” Shields said.
At age 22, this young man is already leaving his mark. There is no telling where his talent may take him.