Painter, 83, shows no signs of slowing down

By Scott Deininger
SPECIAL TO THE HERALD NEWS

Wally Fuchs took a liking to painting in grammar school. Little did he know that at 83, he would have done more than 200 paintings. And there's no sign Fuchs will slow down any time soon.

On Jan. 24, 11 of Fuchs' paintings will be displayed at The Painting Place, 178 N. Chicago Street, Joliet, as part of a wine and cheese festival open the public. Fuchs' works will be showcased throughout January during regular business hours at The Painting Place.

"Painting keeps me busy," said Fuchs, who lived in Bolingbrook for 25 years and now lives in Joliet's Joshua Arms Retirement Community. "My mind stays sharp and creative as long as I keep painting at least an hour every day."

While in the Army and stationed in Iceland, Fuchs made holiday greeting cards for fellow servicemen to send to their families.

Currently he does paintings for friends and neighbors at Joshua Arms and even had a one-man show devoted to his work when he first moved in. Fuchs recently completed a painting of angels as well as portraits of a cat and Jesus Christ.

Fuchs enjoys painting landscapes, snow scenes and especially portraits. One such portrait was of President Richard Nixon, done in the 1970s. Fuchs sent it to Nixon, who sent back a letter thanking Fuchs for his work.

"I've done some oil paintings and acrylic projects," said Fuchs, who married his wife Mary on Feb. 10, 2002. "She acts as my agent, consultant and secretary. But most of all, she's a great supporter."

Fuchs carries a disposable camera with him daily in hopes of finding something fascinating and unusual.

"You never know when you'll see something that would make a great painting," Fuchs said. "If I like it enough to take a picture, I usually will make a painting of it. Like a tree with crooked branches that looks like something from the Wizard of Oz. I really like those kinds of shots."

Fuchs, who is known as Papa Wally to his six grandkids and five great-grandkids, also enjoys taking scenic trips out West.

"I've been out to Lake Tahoe and the red mountains near Las Vegas," he said. "The scenery is so very gorgeous and natural. They make for great paintings."

Legendary singer Dolly Parton was filming a movie in Lemont some years ago. Fuchs just happened to have a completed charcoal portrait of Parton in his collection. He went to the set, gave it to her manager and she signed it "With Love to Wally, Dolly Parton."

"The key to being an artist is keeping focused on what you're doing whether you're painting, drawing, writing or even playing music," said Fuchs. "You need to do it every day with passion and dedication."

Fuchs' work will be highlighted at 6 p.m. at the Painting Place on Jan. 24. For more information, contact Barbara at the Painting Place, (815) 483-9834.

01/11/03