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Here
in the Ozarks we are blessed to have amongst us
native sons and daughters as well as those from
beyond the hills that have a God given talent for
artistic expression. A gift that is endowed to
those that feel a close natural relation ship to
God's creations, people who are called to record
for prosperity those vignettes or scenes that can
be found in these old mountains. The hills and
hollers, the rivers and streams, the flora and
fauna, beckon to those in tuned to the experience,
and cry out to the mind's eye to be recorded on
canvas, paper, or film, so that others that can't
enjoy the natural gifts of our great creator, can
see what those others have seen and be thereby
blessed by the experience.
Taking
the time to walk the path less traveled, the artist
opens his mind to see composition, lighting,
highlight and shadow, the nuances that add interest
and intrigue to what others might only see as just
an old barn, a ramshackle house, a old log in the
woods or any one of a thousand different themes.
But the artist, with his or her skill and talents
that have been painstakingly developed over years
of training and work, captures that scene in such a
manner as to tell a story, a tale that relates the
wisdom of the creator, natures unfolding drama, or
mankind's dilemma, accomplishments, and sometimes
folly.
Here
in Ozark Mountain Country, there is a multitude of
landmarks, both man-made and natural that draws the
attention of the artist. Many folks only see the
more renown locales, such as Old Matt's cabin at
Shepherd of the Hills, Silver Dollar City, Table
Rock Lake, or perhaps even the "inside vistas" at
the Wonders of Wildlife museum next door to Bass
Pro. Then there are the less known but picturesque
landmarks such as the old gristmills of the Ozarks,
like Dawt, Hodgson, Zanoni, War Eagle and the old
red mill at Alley Springs. But other artists choose
to capture those scenes that the mainstream never
see. One such artist is my friend Jim
Lewis.
Nearly
30 years ago, a young punk kid, -- full of dreams
of becoming a professional photographer and seeing
the world, traveling to exotic locations,
photographing the beautiful and powerful, -- took a
after school job collecting the monthly
subscription fees for the guy that delivered the
newspaper in that community. The meager commissions
the kid earned, he used to support his photography
hobby, buying film, darkroom equipment and every
book on the subject he could find.
One
month, while calling on the Lewis home for their
subscription, the teenager naturally became
intrigued when he noticed a stack of professional
camera equipment in Mr. Lewis' living room and
struck up a conversation learning that Mr. Lewis
was employed by a local studio as a photographer
and the kid told the gentleman that he was planning
on a career in photography as soon as he was out of
school. As with so many such chance encounters,
when two men find a common interest, a friendship
developed that has lasted half a lifetime. Yep, you
guessed it, I was that punk kid.
After
a stint in the Air Force, Jim returned to the
Ozarks and made a career of photography. First in a
studio in Mountain Grove then later at Baldwin
Studios and School Picture Service in Springfield,
Jim photographed untold thousands of high school
seniors and under class students during his career.
If you attended school here in the Ozarks, Jim
probably photographed you at one time or another.
Now enjoying retirement, Jim is still photographing
seniors, family groups, and brides and grooms, in
partnership with his daughter Jana, a work at home
Mom, who runs the business leaving Jim free to take
pictures on a part time basis, and even baby-sit
his youngest grand daughter when Jana is busy in
the home office.
One
would think that after a lifetime as a professional
photographer, Jim would have a house full of
photographs, pictures of scenes he has spotted
along side the roads he has traveled through life,
but when you visit his home you find large mural
size drawings, pen and ink being his media of
choice.
Jim
tells us that it was his Mother that inspired him
to take up the art form of drawing. As a child he
was intrigued with her ability to capture, scenes
from around the family farm, on paper. He developed
an interest in the art form and as he wandered the
hills and hollers, everyday items, as well as the
wonder of nature caught his eye and he was soon
capturing these scenes on paper.
When
we interviewed Jim for this article we were
impressed by the sincerity in his voice when he
said that drawing was a spiritual experience for
him, an escape into another world where patience,
discipline, and devotion to the art is second only
to one's devotion to God. And when you view his
exquisite work you realize that the degree of
devotion and discipline is truly remarkable, the
thousands if not millions of pen strokes, hash
marks, that make up the composition, delineating
darkness and light, highlight and shadow, makes
even the unlearned observer wonder how anyone could
possibly have the patience in this modern world to
spend the countless hours necessary to produce a
product of such magnitude.
I
know from experience as a photographer it is one
thing to capture a scene on film, as an artist it
is another challenge to render that scene on paper
or canvas with colored oils or acrylics, but to
thoroughly capture a scene and convert the colors
you observe into shades of gray, then to record
those shades by the precise placement of multitudes
of pen strokes on paper, is truly a remarkable
ability.
On
Jim's website, http://www.heirloomfoto.com
one can peruse through the extensive portfolio of
samples of his photographic talent, portraits of
high school seniors in natural out door settings
such as the beautiful gardens at Honey Branch Cave
just off of Missouri 14 as it crosses the Douglas
and Christian county lines, but if you follow the
links to his personal pages, you can view photos of
his remarkable drawings. (see
http://www.heirloomfoto.com/art/ ) While I find all
of the drawings to my liking, the cat as well as
the drawing of the fishing equipment in the bow of
a boat, to me are the most striking. Of course I
have been fortunate enough to see both of these
works in person and not just on a website, however
even when you view the electronic renditions you
have to appreciate the amount of work that went
into the compositions. The cat, when you first look
at it seems so realistic, it as if it is an actual
photograph. One that seems superimposed above the
art board, only on close inspection can one
ascertain that it is a drawing and not a
photographic image. The fishing boat scene, creates
such an ambiance that one can almost hear the
familiar hiss of a Coleman lantern, feel the cool
moisture in the air that is associated with an
evening adventure on an Ozarks waterway, and you
can almost smell the odors of a river, just
observing the print is a remarkable
experience.
Having
been acquainted with Jim for all these years, I
have seen first hand many of his drawings, and I
have always been amazed at his ability to capture
hands. When you get a chance check out his website
and look at the drawing of the hands clutching the
Holy Bible. Jim has demonstrated a unique knack at
being able to convey the story of the Ozarks, the
saga of hard work that prematurely ages the sons
and daughters of the hills, and this badge of honor
Jim portrays in hands that have been tempered from
years of toil and perseverance, along with the deep
felt faith and devotion to God by the peoples of
the region. Look closely at the drawing and notice
the old bent fingers, the raised veins, worn nails,
these tested hands, tightly holding onto the root
of their strength, God's Holy word, a picture that
says more that a thousand words.
But
don't take my word for it, check out Jims web pages
( http://www.heirloomfoto.com/art/
) and see for yourself, I'm sure you too will
recognize the talent of this native son and want
one or more of his prints for your collection.
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