Schomer Lichtner is a very well-known Wisconsin artist who I photographed in January 2005. When I spent time with Schomer, he was living in an apartment in a large house on Milwaukee’s East Side. He was still quite able, and surrounded by artwork and history. An assistant visited him daily, but otherwise he lived alone. Schomer passed away in May 2006 at the age of 101.
Schomer was most famous for his whimsical, expressionistic drawings and paintings of ballerinas, a very classic subject matter, and…cows. And sometimes, cows and ballerinas together. Lovely work and I was so glad to see his living space filled with his creativity.
I bring Schomer Lichtner up today, because the Racine Art Museum currently has an exhibition devoted to him and his wife, Ruth Grotenrath (1912-1988). The couple had artworks in the RAM’s opening show in 1941 and in many other shows throughout the years. The exhibit of over 80 works is on display until May 8, 2011.
