SSCC exhibit of "Painting Historic America Series" March 12, 2009

Southern State Community College is pleased to present “Painting Historic America Series,” an exhibition of watercolor paintings by James D. “Skip” Werline, head of the college’s art department. The public is invited to attend a meet-the-artist event 4-8 p.m. Thursday, March 12, at the Learning Resource Center at Southern State’s south campus in Fincastle.

Werline was born Oct. 8, 1952, in Maysville, Ky. Six months later, he moved with his family to a farm in Bentonville, Ohio. It was on this farm that he showed an interest for creativity, and at a young age he began his painting career. By the time he reached junior high school, Werline had his own in-house studio and was earning his spending money through his watercolor paintings.

Because watercolor—an unforgiving medium—will not bear the tinkering that other media allows, “I have to know five steps ahead of myself what I’m going to do,” says Werline. “I think a successful artist works right on the edge of disaster all the time. I enjoy the intensity and the challenge.”

While pursuing both his undergraduate and graduate degrees in fine art at Morehead State University in Kentucky, Werline realized he wanted more than just being a professor of art. He began contacting galleries and setting up exhibitions of his work, allowing him to pursue his career as a professional artist.

Highlights of Werline’s career have brought recognition not only to him, but also to Southern State Community College where he is head of the art department. In 1986, the college’s communications department described him as the pride of the school because of his national recognition as a leading watercolorist.

He was highlighted on a local television segment of PM Magazine in 1986, and feature articles about Werline have appeared in Midwest Art and Prints Magazine. His work has been displayed next to paintings by Renoir, Andrew Wyeth, John Singer Sargent and other noted artists of the 19th and 20th centuries. In 1987, a retrospect of Werline’s paintings were presented at Arts in Middletown an event which featured more than 100 originals detailing his career beginning from the fourth grade.

Werline’s hard work and dedication to his painting paid off as he was invited to participate in the Original Showcase at the Prestige Gallery in Toronto. In 2003, Southern State Community College presented a retrospect of Werline’s complete collection of prints at the Appalachian Gateway Center at the south campus in Fincastle. Werline produces limited-edition signed and numbered prints, a process that allows many people access to his work.

One of the constant themes that dominates Werline’s repertoire is evident in his paintings focusing on Colonial Williamsburg. Other historical aspects of Werline’s career include his release in 1992 of 12 paintings commemorating Kentucky’s bicentennial celebration. One painting, “Whitehaven,” became his first museum painting. It was presented to the Yeiser Art Center in Paducah, Ky., for its permanent collection. Werline also created a series of collective paintings of Ohio’s heritage for the celebration of the state’s 200th birthday.

He continues to paint historical subject matter, including local scenes from Hamilton, Clermont and Brown counties. His most recent print release features the Waldschmidt Home in Camp Dennison. He also has a print of the Old Schoolhouse Restaurant which is located just down the road from the Waldschmidt Home.

Whether you like country scenes, covered bridges, historical sites, still lifes or contemporary paintings, Werline has something to offer everyone.

The “Painting Historic America Series” will be on display through June 13 at the Learning Resource Center at Southern State Community College’s south campus in Fincastle. For more information, please contact the LRC at 1-800-628-7722, ext. 3000.

Official Website: http://www.sscc.edu