Shown: Jim Loveless & Ray Wengenroth courtesy of Jim Leach

The Earlville Opera House Art Gallery welcomes “Traveling Landscapes” a collection of paintings and photographs from Jim Loveless, Jim Leach, and Ray & Leslie Wengenroth

Jim Loveless is from Hamilton, NY and holds a B.A. from DePauw University and an M.F.A. from Indiana University.  Jim began his teaching career at Hope College and the University of Kentucky.  He then became an integral member of the Colgate University Art and Art History Department, serving as Department Chair numerous times and overseeing its growth at the University.  Jim’s exhibition history serves as a testament to his prominence as a local artist as well as a national exhibitor.  Solo exhibitions include Picker Art Gallery at Colgate University, Gettysburg College, E.H. Little Gallery at the University of Memphis, and Herbert H. Lehman College in Bronx, N.Y.  See his website:  www.jimloveless.com !

Ray Wengenroth of Beverly, MA paints in oils outdoors "en plein air". While his paintings are representational, there is also a certain fondness for the abstract in the waves of color found in the landscapes:

"A common rhythm emerges in strokes of pigment which I push around with brushes and palette knives. I love color and paint!

"After graduating from Colgate in 1969 and spending a few years away I returned to assist in the expanding art department.  I met Leslie and continued my art experience at Rhode Island School of Design (MFA, Painting ’75). 

"Leslie pursued her MFA at Maryland Institute in Baltimore where I was an art instructor at an inner city community college.  Our next stop was NYC where we enjoyed a loft in Tribeca and managed to work our way into the art scene via design and construction.  Leslie worked in the graphic design field while I designed and built lofts.

"Our flight to the “burbs” in New Jersey was realized after five years in the city and a life cycle change was in the works.  We raised our two children in a small town environment and twenty-five years passed in a blur of new challenges and excitement.  We are proud parents of Eric (’07) and Annie who are both starting careers and working in NYC. 

"Somehow, through it all Leslie and I have maintained our individual artistic expression.  While we differ on some issues regarding the how and why, we do enjoy our sojourns to Maine, especially, Monhegan with Jim Loveless.  This year’s trip included our friend Jim Leach, an inspired and welcome addition."

Jim Leach of Hamilton worked in Colgate's communications office for 25 years and continues to write about higher education. His interest in photography began more than 40 years ago, and was reenergized when he learned what was possible with digital equipment. "When my photography works, it conveys a sense of a place, or a moment, or a feeling."