Photo by BRANDON BOWMAN

Photo Editor

(WARRENSBURG, Mo., digitalBURG) — Customers at Cafe Blackadder at 121 N. Holden St. enjoy their meals below a series of watercolor paintings and pen and ink pieces by Richard Luehrman, professor emeritus of art at the University of Central Missouri. Nearly 40 pieces were placed on display starting Friday at the downtown restaurant.

The artwork features scenes from Europe, Rhine Gorge and other places in Germany, scenes from Tennessee, and local landscapes from different parts of Johnson County and Pertle Springs, according to a news release. Some works are abstract.

“As usual, nature is my favorite subject, and I try to think through the processes of nature and growth,” said the 87-year-old artist in a written statement.

Luehrman taught and chaired in the department of art at UCM until his retirement in 1993.

Some of the pieces were inspired by his early morning walks in the meadow along Quail Trail and Deer Run in Warrensburg, including a couple pieces with deer meandering in the meadow. Works on display date back to the 1970s and 1980s and some were completed this year.

Luehrman and his wife, Aileen, are longtime Warrensburg residents and the parents of three children. The couple is celebrating their 65th wedding anniversary this month.