Artists Marvin "Skeez" Messing, 85, and Bill Ohrmann, 89, reveal "174 Years of Contemplation" in an extensive show of their work at Flathead Valley Community College.

The exhibit's organizer, artist John Rawlings, encourages the public to enjoy the show and refreshments at an opening reception Wednesday from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.

"This is a wonderful show and working with these gentlemen has been an inspiring experience," Rawlings said.

It's easy to find in the Student Art Gallery located in the main hall on the first level of the new Arts & Technology Building.

Together, Messing, a classically trained painter, and self-taught artist Ohrmann, a retired cattle rancher, create a tour de force of contemplative art with contrasting styles. Messing is from Kalispell and Ohrmann is from Drummond.

Rawlings, art instructor at the community college who has exhibited internationally, said he has long enjoyed and appreciated the work of both artists.

"It occurred to me that bringing these two wonderful old men together for a joint exhibition was something that I should pursue," Rawlings said.

Both artists' images portray fascination for their fellow man as well as the environment.

Many in the Flathead know Messing from the FVCC classes in portraiture and oil painting that he has taught for 11 years.

A native of Freeport, Ill., Messing attended the School of the Art Institute of Chicago before he joined the Navy Seabees. After serving two years in the South Pacific as well as stateside during World War II, he returned to Freeport to work in the family business and teach art in the local adult education program.

Following his retirement, Messing attended art classes at Highland Community College and Northern Illinois University. He moved to the Flathead Valley in 1985 and began taking art classes at the community college before becoming an instructor there.

In his artist's statement, Messing describes himself an observer of the "human condition." As an inveterate "people watcher," he sees the frailties and complexities of society.

"Our nature is a paradox - divine, yet savage; compassionate, yet monstrous," Messing said. "I question aspects of this paradox in graphic and symbolic images."

He said most of his paintings depict the human experience as people make their way through a violent and fast-changing world. Messing strives to provoke reaction and inner reflection.

"The paintings I show here may suggest borderline surrealism," the artist said. "However, the term I prefer is contemplative art."

Messing's painting titles - "The imminent violent death of a liberal conservative idealist" or "The new order philharmonic orchestra" - provide more to contemplate.

Ohrmann's titles, painted like signs into his paintings, suggest his provocative and sometime ironic take. Don't miss "Choose a job you love and you will never work a day in your life" and "What is most valuable to the people is the least cared for."

Fascinated with man's interaction with nature, Ohrmann says he always had an interest in art. But with the demands of cattle ranching, the native Montanan had no time to spend at an easel until he retired in 1995.

"Time to think also entered into the painting process," Ohrmann said in his artist's statement.

Without formal training, he first began painting, and then at age 80 began welding life-size steel sculptures of animals such as bear, elk and buffalo.

He now displays his works year-round at the Ohrmann Museum and Gallery in Drummond. His artist's statement provides insight into the well-spring of his provocative yet humorous images.

"A ranch background is naturally a life led close to nature, and it led me to believe we are all guilty of treating the earth with selfish, insulting disrespect," Ohrmann said. "Chemical poisons, cruelty to wild animals, so-called development, overpopulation and other self-serving actions all influence what and why I paint."

He admits that he has few answers to these dilemmas.

"So maybe that's how these paintings should be interpreted - complaints of an old 'over-the-hill' cowboy," Ohrmann said.

Rawlings said he was deeply impressed with Ohrmann's images and immediately struck by the strong sense of similarity in tone and subject matter to Messing's work.

He said he hopes seniors and others take advantage of the Wednesday reception to meet both artists along with viewing their thought-provoking paintings. The show remains on display through March 15.

For more information, contact Rawlings at 756-3896.

Reporter Candace Chase may be reached at 758-4436 or by e-mail at [email protected].