Leland artist Rick Koehler, 74, still finds joy in creating art, something he’s been doing in one way or another for most of his life.
Both Koehler and his wife, Sandy, are from Cincinnati and they now split their time between their home in Leland and Ohio. They found their house in Leland 18-years-ago, and while it started as their second home, it has become the place they spend most of their time at today.
Koehler and Sandy’s draw to Leland goes as far back as childhood, with Koehler noting how Sandy used to visit the area in the summers with her family growing up. Walloon Lake near Petoskey was a place Koehler’s family spent summers at.
The couple met on a blind date in college after a best friend set them up, and two years later, they got married. Visits were divided between Leland and Walloon Lake until they eventually settled on making Leland their permanent home.
“I’ve been coming here for 54 years. I was 20 when I first came up here and chased her. I’m now 74 and she’s been coming here her whole life, so it feels like home to us,” Koehler said.
Koehler made a living as an architect after attending Kent State University to study architecture. In 1979, Koehler was 26-years-old and began his own architecture firm. He and his business partner operated the company for 39 years.
“It was one of those jobs that I absolutely enjoyed, I loved everyday going to work,” Koehler said. “It’s part art and part business, you have to sort of meld those two in architecture.”
In 2013 when Koehler was 61-years-old, he picked up a paintbrush and began painting, starting a thriving art journey that still continues. He had never taken an art class in high school or college before, but Koehler got advice from two contractors that he worked with at the firm that encouraged him to take painting classes when he inquired about it.
So Koehler followed their advice and took painting lessons taught by national artists whenever he could. Most lessons were workshops that took place over the course of a few days, so Koehler had time and was able to learn all he could with each class he took.
Art came naturally to Koehler and three years after picking up that paint brush, he was recognized at an Old Art Building plein air competition and won best of show. Koehler said receiving the award blew him away, and several months later, he did another outdoor art show in Cincinnati where he again won in the “best of show” category.
After taking a lot of instruction through art lessons, the COVID pandemic hit, and classes took on a new look to adapt to the times. Instructors began recording their lessons, and Koehler was able to go back and watch them to continue his learning. He mainly utilizes oils for impressionistic paintings, but has dabbled in other mediums like gouache.
“I just really enjoy it,” he said. “You never stop learning.”
Retired from the architecture firm for the last five years, Koehler was able to use his creativity and knowledge from running a business to transition into a career focused solely on art. Pursuing art also served as a much needed creative outlet after ending a long career in architecture.
Koehler’s paintings typically depict varying local landscapes and waterscapes, but every once in a while, he’ll go back and do a still-life painting. He also has a fondness for painting rowboats in the water, capturing the shadows cast by the lighting portrayed in the scene.
The landscape and scenic views found throughout the county has always seemed to be a point of inspiration for Koehler and his artistic endeavors, no matter what season it may be.
“Up here, there’s so many beautiful scenes to paint, even in the winter time. I paint in the winter, and sometimes I’ll paint outside in the snow,” he said. “The opportunity for things to paint around here I think is a gift that I’ve been given… I’ve painted the same thing at least three or four times depending on the season.”
Koehler likes to stay active in the community in different ways including by being part of local art organizations like the Old Art Building, a board he’s been serving on since 2021. Previously, Koehler thoroughly enjoyed racing sports cars for 20 years and was an instructor on the race track for 5-6 years.
Painting art in the studio takes up much of Koehler’s time these days and serves as his main creative outlet. This year, Koehler has been averaging about nine paintings a month, so he’s found a rhythm that works with his life and is producing many pieces and keeping busy.
Koehler’s work will be featured in an upcoming art show on September 4 and 5 at the Old Art Building. The show will also feature work from fellow artists Royce Deans and Angela Saxon, whom Koehler has been collaborating with for the last three years. People can expect to see dozens of paintings from the three artists on display and will have the opportunity to talk with them and ask questions. To learn more about Koehler’s art, go online to: www.rickkoehlerart.com
