ART BY PAUL BOECHER

The barber pole with a little extra baggage on the top is called, “A Little More Off the Top.”  He actually sculpted this piece in a barber shop.  Today it stands outside of the Caribou lounge & Antler Shed.  This is an extension of our one car garage, which houses a caribou mount of an animal he bagged in Alaska and doubles as a woodworking shop.

Paul has been an artist from the day I first met him as a Freshman in high school.  His craftsmanship as a sculptor was enough to outshine the entire senior class.  He found a piece of limestone to work on while the rest of us struggled with our plaster of paris molds.

He had his own private corner of the art room to chisel and hammer away in along with using some grinding tools to craft this ram’s head, which still sits regally in our backyard.

Another piece which is titled “Surrender,” also has a place of honor on our property.  This piece was done when we were going through some difficult times.  Money was short, but he managed to find a piece of wood to create a thing of beauty.  It represents what we must look like to God as we surrender to His will. The huge hands reaching up in submission shows our desire to have God take over and do what we cannot do.

When he rented a studio space he was able to carve a piece for a local restaurant, called the “Newsroom.”  The bar is shaped like a ship and Paul carved the mast head which was that of a mermaid.  No!  I did not model for this.

He also had several commissions for work to be done in resort businesses and private residences.  Since then his art has turned to painting and it’s quite unusual to see him without a paintbrush.  Most of his clothes have at least one or two blobs of paint on them.  It goes with the hazards of the job, I guess.

Paul continues to teach plein air painting to those willing to learn.  He is a kind, helpful and compassionate teacher, always bringing out the best in his students.  God gave him this gift to share with others.  I’m glad we discovered that we were made for each other so long ago.  I love this man with all my heart!