02/22/13 Culver-Union Township Public Library welcomed Jim Schoonover as artist of the month for February. Jim, a World War II veteran, artist, and musician, resides in Culver with his wife Phyllis. Jim has been a member of Heartland Artists of Marshall County since 1994, and he is also part of the Sentimental Journeys band, playing the tenor saxophone. Though he creates art with oil, watercolor, enamel, calligraphy, and pen & ink, Jim’s favorite things to design are cartoons and caricatures. He taught a series of watercolor courses at CUTPL in 2006, and the Library feels lucky to display much of his work this month.
Jim created Dolly the Docent, a cartoon for the Heartland Artists print newsletter. His pen & ink artwork is featured on playing cards and greeting cards depicting schools and other historical places in Marshall County. The cards are for sale at the Marshall County Historical Museum. Jim considers himself to be a utility artist, so that if something needs to be done, he is willing to do it. Another of Jim’s legendary projects was race car paintings created for the town of Speedway’s 50th year celebration in 1976. Jim painted over 40 double sided race cars on sheet metal, which were hung throughout the town of Speedway. One of the race car paintings is currently on loan from the Marshall County Historical Museum and on display at CUTPL.
Currently featured at CUTPL is a mix of Jim’s artwork, including watercolor, oil, enamel, pen & ink, and cartoons. Stop by CUTPL today to see Jim Schoonover’s artwork on display. For more information, contact Laura Jones at 574-842-2941 or ljones@culver.lib.in.us.
