Retired teacher's eye is always on his art

Retired art teacher Thomas Kapheim spends lots of his free time playing chess and planning for his new role as coach of his grandson's baseball team.

But as it has been for years, art is the thrust of Thomas Kapheim's day-to-day life.

"Art is the real thing," the lifelong Lake County resident said.

And it's certainly one thing that gets him noticed. His work has been exhibited extensively throughout the United States and can be found in major galleries.

Now, the Josef Glimer Gallery in Chicago will feature Kapheim's work for a monthlong exhibit beginning Friday. The gallery, at 207 W. Superior St., will host Kapheim's newest mixed-media series, featuring 14 pieces ranging in price from $3,000 to $6,000.

Kapheim creates every form of art, including sculpture, political, pastel drawings and massive sculpture. He has also illustrated numerous books and designed theatrical sets.

He finds it difficult to describe his art. He says it's holistic.

"I take information from every part of the world," he says.

Kapheim couldn't say how much of his time is spent with his canvas or pencils, but he says, "My mind is on art all the time."

He believes his best ideas come at about 4 a.m. when "the cognitive and fantasy thoughts collide."

Kapheim's love for art started at a young age.

"I was that kid in your class that could draw," the North Chicago native said with a laugh. He went on to Northern Illinois University on a teaching scholarship where he met Carol, his wife of 44 years.

The couple spent many years living in Wauconda, where Carol worked as a junior high drama teacher and then a librarian.

Kapheim pays credit to his wife's library skills, as she has cataloged his 6,000 art pieces that they have in their home.

Kapheim worked as an art teacher in Wauconda and then Wheeling High School. He took a leave from his teaching career for a while to devote all his efforts to art.

"I earned a living both ways. I totally enjoy teaching and totally enjoy making art," he said. During his time off from teaching, he said he did a lot of pastel drawings that he described as very free spirited.

"That was my bread and butter," he said.

He missed the interaction with students, who he describes as inspiring.

"I have a great deal of faith in America's youth," said Kapheim, who also served two terms on the Wauconda Unit District 118 school board.

The Kapheims are spending their retirement years in Gurnee, living near their daughter, Solange, a Waukegan teacher, and their 10-year-old grandson, Marek.

Kapheim is preparing his grandson for the upcoming baseball season.

"They are very coachable at this age. It's going to be a great season," he says.