Clarence C. Bullock, 73, painter, art teacher

Clarence C. Bullock, 73, of West Philadelphia, a painter who taught art in Philadelphia public schools for 37 years, died of Alzheimer's disease Sunday, July 18, at Chester Valley Rehabilitation and Nursing Center in East Whiteland.

A native of Norfolk, Va., Mr. Bullock earned a bachelor's degree from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University. After earning a master's degree in fine arts from the University of Pennsylvania, he began teaching in Philadelphia.

Mr. Bullock taught at Stoddart-Fleisher Middle School, Shoemaker Middle School, Daniel Boone School, and Logan Elementary School. He was on the faculty of Guion S. Bluford Elementary School in West Philadelphia when he retired in 1999.

While teaching, he pursued a career as a professional artist. His portrait of John F. Kennedy was presented to the White House and his portrait of Nelson Mandela was presented to Mandela.

Mr. Bullock's painting of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. delivering his 1963 "I Have a Dream" speech at the Lincoln Memorial won an award from the Philadelphia Human Rights Commission in 1972.

His paintings were exhibited in many galleries and museums, including the Philadelphia Museum of Art, Penn, the Philadelphia Afro-American Museum, and the Philadelphia Art Institute. He also painted murals for churches and homes.

On his website, Mr. Bullock wrote, "The themes of my paintings include the dramas of everyday life to historical events and famous people. I use only the palette knife in my paintings, rather than brush."

He is survived by a daughter, Calandra; a sister, Roma B. Jones; his companion, Patricia Thompkins; and his former wife, Lessie Moore.

A funeral service will begin at 11 a.m. Saturday, July 24, at Pinn Memorial Baptist Church, 2251 N. 54th St., where friends may call after 9. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery, Norfolk.