Tim Lehor beautifully depicts the world around him with his captivating art.

The passion of artistry

Artist Tim Lehor says the most rewarding aspect of being an artist, especially when creating portraits of loved ones and people’s pets, is the moment the work of art is revealed to the client for the first time. “It’s such a good feeling when you know you can do something for someone, and when you show them the piece, they're speechless with emotion.”

Lehor began his artistic journey in earnest when he was in seventh grade and attended a career day presentation on being a cartoonist. “I’d always had a knack for drawing,” said Lehor. “I was always doodling at home when I was a kid.” In high school, he took architecture and drafting classes which further cemented his desire to become an artist.

Lehor came up to Chico at the urging of his nephew, Dan Lehor. Tim was a walk-on for the Chico State football team in 1979, and he co-majored in art and physical education. There were so many artists in P.E. that they sponsored an art show along the hallway between the north and south gyms. “It’s surprising so many athletes are artists,” said Lehor.

After earning a teaching credential at Chico State, Lehor found himself employed at C.K. Price Middle School in Orland. There, he taught health, physical education, and ran the art department for over 15 years. He taught art in grades seven and eight, emphasizing the basics: forms, perspective, drawing, and painting. “The biggest challenge teaching this age is you have to learn how to let the kids make mistakes,” said Lehor. “You can’t redo their work for them.”

While he likes viewing abstract art, he prefers to be realistic in his own work. “I like to freeze the moment in time. I enjoy the detail and the challenge to create that which exemplifies the real person or subject.” He has painted or drawn hundreds of portraits of people, animals, and still life subjects. He often works with a photograph and brings the subject to life on the canvas or page. “I’ll draw or paint three to four times a week for various lengths of time,” said Lehor. “I can do a painting or drawing in a week, but I’d rather take my time to make sure it’s right.” One time, in college, he had to paint three paintings over the weekend. That’s a job he avoids these days. He currently completes two or three pieces per month, and he works with pencil, oil, watercolor, and prisma color. His other passion in life is golf.

“Now that I’m retired from teaching, I’m able to play golf three times a week. I’m a lucky guy to pursue both of my passions. It’s a good life,” he summed up. Supporting him in these passions is his wife Lori, who still works in Chico. “Lori has been great,” he said. “She’s encouraged me all along.”

If you’d like to commission a piece of art or just have a look at what Tim Lehor does, you can find him at Par One Design on Facebook. Check out his latest piece, a barn owl watercolor.