Aberdeen Village residents Bob and Carol McMillen reflect on many years of artistic endeavors

Bob McMillen says he discovered a love of watercolors through trial and error.

“I took a pencil drawing course in the 1970s and decided to try oil painting next,” he explained. “I didn’t like it, so I took a course in watercolors and the rest is history.”

Over the years his work has been featured in numerous galleries across Kansas and beyond.

“I enjoyed doing landscapes,” he shared. “I did some of the Flint Hills and several of places in Washington, Oregon and Arizona. The last gallery I did was in Newton about five years ago.”

Bob’s wife, Carol McMillen, has also done her share of artistic works. Her craft, however, is quilting.

“I started when my grandchildren started showing up,” she recalled. “I did a lot of baby quilts and bed quilts.”

Eventually, she began doing more artistic quilts, specifically wall-hanging quilts.

“They’re more artsy than a bed quilt,” she explained.

She estimates she’s made hundreds of quilts over the years and is currently working on one that involves appliqué, embroidery and quilting.

“At times it seems like all I do is make quilts,” she explained. “It’s kept me busy for many years.”

Both Bob and Carol have had their work featured in Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America’s Art is Ageless calendars.

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