Page 13 - Amarillo Senior Link Magazine Summer 2021 - Online Magazine

Exceptional EXCEPTIONAL SENIORS

SENIORS MICKEY WELLS

" Moments "
Capturing

in Bronze

By Jane Bromley

f you're ever in the Chicago area, scholarship to South Plains
you might want to hop over to Junior College where he
ISaint John, Indiana to visit one earned his associate degree in
of the most-visited religious sites 1980.
in the country. Frank and Shirley
Shillings of Saint John had a vision Young Mickey had always
for installing an inspirational trail to loved drawing. He said he
commemorate Jesus’ journey to the thought God gave some people
cross. The Shrine of Christ’s Passion an innate talent for art and
is the culmination of a 10-year, $10 just gave others the “want to”.
million investment. That’s what Mickey had. He
enjoyed drawing so much that Astronaut Alan Bean and Mickey Wells
Over 20 years ago, the couple he practiced all the time. His
embarked on their very first road parents would even punish electrical skills along the way.
trip. They had originally envisioned him by taking away his sketchbook. Becoming “a jack-of-all-trades”
plaques depicting the 14 scenes When he was 13, Mary Mitchell, prepared him for his life’s work.
known as the “stations of the cross”. the owner of a local art gallery,
They were on their way to Santa allowed him to sit in her classes in Soon after he returned to Amarillo,
Fe to interview artists when they exchange for running errands. She he went to work as an apprentice for
heard about the Cross Ministries was an accomplished artist, and he Phil White who owned a foundry.
installation at Groom, Texas. After learned a great deal from her. The He was fascinated. “Sculpting is like
visiting the site, they contacted experience “opened a lot of doors in drawing or photography. It captures
artist Mickey Wells of Amarillo. my mind,” Mickey said. a moment in time.” Phil mentored
They were so impressed that they Mickey, and the artist began
hired Mickey that day to help them He drew lots of fantasy art in junior
implement their huge vision. The high and high
Indiana project has established school and
Mickey Wells as a nationally wanted to be an
renowned bronze sculptor. illustrator until
he found out
Mickey's story began right here that commercial
in Amarillo, where he attended artists weren't
Whittier Elementary, Travis Junior paid very much.
High and Palo Duro High School He got jobs in
(Class of 1978). He participated auto body work
in several sports, including and iron working
football, track, and Golden Gloves and acquired
boxing, and was awarded a track plumbing and

Amarillo Senior Link 13