'My Father's Love' Exhibit at the Foulds Gallery

By: Jonathan Jones 02/25/2016

[caption id="attachment_5606" align="alignleft" width="157"] Images pulled from My Fathers Love - Marquetry Facebook page[/caption]

The Foulds Gallery in Libertyville has been displaying an exhibit since December 8: ‘My Father’s Love' exhibit

This gallery is showing the elaborate mosaic designs of a man named Ed Lantzer. By the intricacy of his work, you would never guess that he lived a portion of his life he was homeless.

Lantzer, who originally hailed from Kalkaska, Michigan, created 30 large panels to this temporary gallery made entirely of wood.

The Michigan-born artist was born in 1932. As a child, he suffered from scarlet fever which resulted in Lantzer having brain damage. Although he endured a tough beginning, Lantzer worked his way up into being a skilled carpenter utilizing the Bible as his muse.

With the new-found works Lantzer created, he rid himself of his belongings, his job and material possessions.

[caption id="attachment_5603" align="alignright" width="300"] Images pulled from My Fathers Love - Marquetry Facebook page[/caption]

According to the Daily Herald, "he was guided by God to use his gifts as a way to reach the unloved. Because he could neither write nor draw, Lantzer had to visualize the scenes. Besides saws, the only tool he used to create the scenes on 4-by-8-foot panels was a ruler to find the centers. He worked outward, affixing tiny pieces of wood with glue to create intricate patterns and designs -- a form of mosaic art called parquetry."

Some of Lantzer’s pieces include ‘The Pass,’ and ‘The Last Supper.’ Also the panels on each of the images are all cut from 150 varieties of trees – so each pictures sports different shades, grains and colors. According the Herald article, each painting has a three-dimensional effect.

[caption id="attachment_5604" align="alignleft" width="300"] Images pulled from My Fathers Love - Marquetry Facebook page[/caption]

Unfortunately, Lantzer passed away, but he insisted that his work to not be shown for anyone’s profit, including his own.

'My Father's Love' exhibit is open on Tuesdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Sundays 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Lantzer’s paintings can also be seen by appointment on Thursdays by contacting Allyson Cayce at 847-224-0039.

Continue here to read the Daily Herald article in its entirety that features Lantzer and find out more about his path to Libertyville and so much more.

Admission is free, but donations are accepted.

Foulds Gallery 520 E. Church St., Libertyville.