Arts

A beautiful lioness comes to life on canvas as Guy Coheleach becomes one with nature. A distinguished artist whose works have graced the halls of the White House, Coheleach has another place for his wildlife exhibit to call home — the Anniston Museum of Natural History.

Somewhere in between the Rocky Mountains and intermittent trip to Africa, Coheleach found time to explain his passion for wildlife.

Born and raised in Long Island, Coheleach attended school in Brooklyn. Talented at a young age, he was the kid in back of class making drawings as the teacher observed and continued to teach in front of class, he said.

"I used to draw quite a bit in class and got chastised by the teachers for drawing on the covers of school books. Undoubtedly the notes that used to go home with me let my parents know that I had talent, because at Christmas I would get drawing sets or sketch pads." So his drawings weren't in vain.

And as soon as he discovered painting was more fun than working for a living, he decided to stay with it.

"I painted to pay bills and send my children to college, and that, I'm not ashamed of," he said.

He took trips to Africa to capture the essence of his work — and he was careful to catch the subjects of his art in a safe manner. "I would carry a little pocket camera with me," he said. "At times I may have had to take 50 pictures of an animal."

Now, on his trips to Alaska or another of his favorite locations, he paints watercolors. "I can begin painting the background since I am not able to capture the animals while they are moving," he said.

And when the animals aren't moving, and his brush isn't full of watercolors, he takes time to explain the other aspects of his life.

"I learned too late that you don't have to make money to be happy," he said. "I grew up in a house where there were nine kids and I was in high school before I realized my dad wasn't God. He worked days, nights and weekends to support us. My mother never had anything new, but we were well taken care of. It wasn't until later on in life that I came to find out how well-respected my family was."

Fortunate enough to have his parents stand behind him, he stayed motivated to pursue his talent. "If a child wants to become an artist, the child will become an artist," he said.

And of all his wild works, Coheleach can't choose a favorite. "My most prized paintings are the next ones," he said. "They have no mistakes on them."

Art by Guy Coheleach

What: Wildlife art exhibit
When: Now through Sept. 28
Where: Anniston Museum of Natural History, 800 Museum Drive
How much: $4.50 adult, $3.50 per child ages 4-17, children under 3 free
Contact: 237-6766 or www.annistonmuseum.com