Robert Gilliam has struggled with post-traumatic stress disorder and anger management since his return from Vietnam in the ’70s.
In 1987, he began seeing a counselor at a veterans clinic in Chattanooga. He mentioned to her that he’d taken some painting classes during his Marine Corps training in Washington, D.C., and she suggested he start taking classes with East Ridge artist Brenda Wright. Since then, he’s channeled his emotions into his artwork.
Beginning Feb. 27, Gilliam will share his talent and coping technique with area veterans every Thursday in a free two-hour evening art class at American Legion Post 214 in Rossville. He calls the class Paint To Slay Demons – PTSD.
While Gilliam’s preferred medium is oil, he’s going to start the class out with watercolors.
“The best way to help veterans is to give them a level playing field, a place where they can be relaxed and have fun. Then, it’d be easier for them to communicate with each other and myself,” said Gilliam, 75. “If [fellow veterans] start talking to me about their problems, then they’re helping me, because I have problems too.”