ART & INSPIRATION BY PAUL & KATHY BOECHER

I cannot begin to tell you how my husband began the process of building a painting. I know he has quite a collection of sketch books which include studies of various plants, trees, wildlife, buildings, barns, lakes, waterfalls and so much more. Often these little drawings would end up as part of a future work. Being observant is important too. He would spend hours in various times of the day watching as light would change the way a final painting would come to be. His love of nature and God’s beautiful creation were key elements to the success of some of his paintings.

His career began in the advertising business. When meeting with a client he had to create ideas on paper which required a quick mind and fast fingers. Paul was equipped with both. Concepting carried him through the loss of his own business and the beginning of a new career in fine art. This also gave him the opportunity to share his talent through teaching and mentoring young and old.

To be an artist, one must first love the craft of the art he has dedicated his life to. For those who seek joy in composing music that will soothe the savage beast, years of training is required. For those of us who indulge in playing with words, basics of grammar and the use of colorful words becomes a paintbrush of sorts. It seems to me that any of the arts requires sacrificing a bit of ourselves into the creation. We can strive for perfection. We might even make a difference with our craft, but we must always remember who endowed us with those gifts in the first place and then to use them to God’s glory alone.

The sketch above has many components. You can almost notice creatures – either animal or human which are knit into the forest floor. Pieces of a finished work will eventually come together and create a piece that will continue to reveal something new as you gaze at it. The true joy comes to the artist when his work is appreciated, enjoyed or invokes a feeling or emotion. Though he’s no longer here to share Valentine’s Day, he will be my love forever. His love will live on through his art until we are reunited in heaven.

HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY, MY LOVE!