Christine Gill '13: The Art of Bowling
By Nick Watt '13
It’s not unusual for a McKendree University student to master both a sport and a major.
To create masterpieces in both however, is a rarity. And that is exactly what Christine Gill '13 does. Whether it’s orchestrating falling pins on the lanes or weaving brushstrokes
on canvas, Christine is making something special.
Christine came to McKendree as a transfer student her sophomore year and immediately
made an impact on the Bearcats women’s bowling team. “When I was a senior in high school all I wanted to do was bowl for a college and
win a national title,” she said. “In 2011, I was given that opportunity and there
was no better feeling. Being on the lanes and throwing that ball knowing that no one
could ever take that moment away from me.”
As Christine looks back on the season it was the team chemistry created during that
time which resonates most with her. “The team this year has by far had the best team
chemistry out of all my years on the team,” she said. “We are a family. We are willing
to help and push each other in order to make the team better.”
On her time as a Bearcat she lists some of her greatest bowling triumphs as her favorite
memories, including being part of the NAIA National Championship team in 2011-2012
and winning her first individual title at the Southern Collegiate Classic this season.
As much as her bowling career has taken up much of the mantle for memories; her best
experience has come from her art. “The best moment I have experienced was when I was
working on one my drawings last year with my professor and it just came together unexpectedly,”
said Christine. “It was one of those ‘Wow’ moments. It was a great feeling for something
you work so hard on to just finally come together and to create something magnificent.”
Christine deservedly takes great pride in the artistic talent she has developed while
at McKendree and is willing to give full credit to the school. “Before studying at
McKendree I absolutely hated drawing and painting,” she said. “I only wanted to be
a photographer and nothing else. Since being here I have fallen in love with drawing
and painting. Those areas are now becoming my expertise.” Christine defines herself
as an artist in a much broader sense. “My painting has become less controlled and
more free,” she noted. “With my painting I just go for it now, I’m not afraid of making
a mistake because it can always be fixed. Also, I have become a very established three-dimensional
artist. I work with wood and create very abstract sculptural pieces.”
Art has proved to be an important aspect in Christine’s journey, even calling her first
feature in the McKendree University Gallery of Art her greatest achievement. Christine currently has artwork in the All Student Art
Show until April 25 and will be one of the featured artists in the Senior Art Show
from May 2 through 20. She will be presenting a series of paintings, sculptures, and
photography with the aim for the viewer to be drawn in and be a part of it. “I want
to leave them wanting to see more,” she said.
Upon graduation Christine plans to take a year off to build her portfolio and apply
to graduate school. She is also planning on continuing her bowling career and competing
in the Women’s U.S. Open and Championship tournaments this summer.
