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Q &A – Questions and Artists – Jim Leatham

“Summer Drydock” by Jim Leatham.

The Peninsula Pulse has teamed up with the Door County Art League (DCAL) to reprint portions of interviews conducted by Randy Rasmussen with various artists. To sign up for DCAL’s monthly newsletter or for more information visit http://www.doorcountyartleague.org.

I first met Jim Leatham over three and a half years ago through the Door County Art League. Jim set up locations for DCAL’s plein air painting groups, and over the years I have painted with him hundreds of times. He lives just south of Sister Bay in a log home with a great studio/gallery. For more information call Jim at 920.854.4008.

Randy Rasmussen (RR): Jim, where did you grow up?

Jim Leatham (JL): I was born and spent most of my early years in the western suburbs of Chicago. I went to three different grade schools as a result of family moves. I attended a boarding school for boys (4th grade through 8th grade) in the northern Illinois lakes region.

RR: When did you realize you enjoyed art?

JL: I was always interested in drawing with my first creative efforts trying to copy figures from well-known comic book heroes. I drew Superman, Captain Marvel and Batman all with bulging muscles.

RR: Who encouraged your creativity?

“February Morning” by Jim Leatham.

JL: My mother and her father were my first positive influences, giving me support and encouragement from pre-school through college. I had a teacher (a 65-year-old woman) at the boarding school who had received training at the Chicago Art Institute. Her instruction fueled my interest in art and painting that I still have over 60 years later.

RR: I know you were an athlete. Which was most important to you growing up, art or sports?

JL: Like most kids I was interested in sports concentrating on track and football. I did both sports through my junior year in college. My strongest interest has always been art and painting.

RR: When and how did you get to Door County?

JL: I went to Lawrence University in Appleton where I was strongly influenced by Tom Dietrich, “Artist in Residence” and my teacher for four years. Dietrich spent his summer vacations painting in Door County. His paintings made me aware of Door County, and I made my first trip to the peninsula in 1958. I have been coming back for over 50 years. In the late ‘50s and early ‘60s Gerhard Miller and Austin Fraser were two of the most memorable artists. I was inspired by both and tried to emulate their work…without much success, I might add.

RR: How has Door County changed over the last 50 years?

JL: With growth and changes over the years there are some disappointing elements. Most apparent are the decline in commercial fishing and farming. Much of the farmland has been converted to real estate developments, golf courses, etc, etc, and many old picturesque wooden docks, boat hoists are gone replaced by concrete and steel marinas. In short many subjects that once attracted artists are now gone. Old weathered wooden barns with lots of character have been replaced by modern metal prefabricated shells. Functional but not interesting.

“Mission Colonade” by Jim Leatham.

RR: Jim I know you had a chance to study with Irving Shapiro at the American Academy of Art in Chicago. Interesting?

JL: In 1972 I took some classes in watercolor from Shapiro. He was a no-nonsense technician with a complete command of the medium and a strong sense of self. Everyone in the class was totally inspired by him.

RR: When did you move to Door County? Is your work evolving?

JL: I returned to Door County in 2001 to live and paint on a full-time basis. My work has always leaned toward impressionistic but continues to evolve and change. Sometimes the subject dictates a more representational style and other times inspires an expressionistic treatment. Regardless of the style my appreciation for good composition, clearly defined values and strong color is more important than detail.

RR: What in your opinion makes a good painting?

JL: For me a good landscape or any work reveals the artist’s commitment and interest in the subject. There should be an energy and passion that comes through the work showing the artist’s full control of the painting process.

RR: What artists have influenced your work?

JL: I have taken bits and pieces from each of my teachers and workshop instructors over the years. Recently I have been interested in the works of recognizable American artists: Edgar Payne, 1882-1947, and William Wendt, 1865-1946, both respected West Coast plein air artists. I also like the work of Emile Gruppe, 1896-1972, and Aldro Hibbard 1186-1972, both influential East Coast artists. Hopefully, my current efforts take on some of the influence of these men.