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This is a happy story about a happy man with a happy life.

This story began 62 years ago in Red Wing, MN.

This story happened when eight-year-old Tom Kutschied's great aunt Eleanor gave him an Art Kit for Christmas.

Since that day, Tom has painted...taught and painted...and a lifelong love of the arts continues.

Today, Tom shares his talent and love of life with the community of Longville where he has lived on Little Boy Lake since he "retired" eight years ago. While exhibiting art at a local fair, a lady asked about lessons. Longville realtor Pat Boen overheard and suggested that he could have classes at the the Longville Arts Center building.

"One class led to two and two led to three," Tom recalls, "And now I'm teaching classes three days a week plus once a month at the Docksider during winter months plus plus plus..." Those pluses include a fun class for a church group (30 women!) in Hammond, MN, and and another set for an upcoming ladies weekend.

Longtime student Fred Smith described Tom as "a teacher who teaches without teaching." And, he smiles. "But, there's so much more..." Fred is right. Many adjectives describe Tom. Talented. Soft-spoken. Interesting. Kind. Thoughtful. Caring. Passionate. Humble.

Tom was born in Red Wing and received his Bachelor of Science degree in Art Education from the University of Wisconsin, River Falls. After a year of teaching Art in Tomah, WI, Uncle Sam recruited Tom and he served four years in the Air Force teaching English in Viet Nam and later, did illustrations in service manuals. Tom returned to teaching in Tomah but when his fiance died unexpectedly two months before their wedding he moved to Mesa, Arizona. There, he and college friend Lloyd Johnson, Woodville, WI, whose engagement had ended, teamed up and opened "The Art Crate."

Tom taught two classes a day six days a week for 32 years. Lloyd, who ran the business side, died of lung cancer shortly after their retirement and Tom moved to Longville to care for property he and his three brothers inherited from two bachelor uncles.

"While Lloyd said he wasn't an artist, he was!," Tom emphatically said as he proudly displayed one of Lloyd's paintings. It was an intricately detailed Christmas scene that Tom is reproducing to give to Lloyd's family members who 'adopted' me years ago."

While Tom had always planned to return to Minnesota or Wisconsin when he retired, closing the Mesa business obviously was painful. There was always a waiting list for his popular classes, sometimes as many as 72.

"Two ladies were students from his first class to his last," Tom recalled, "Now, tell me there weren't tears when after 32 years I had one turn off the lights and the other lock the door...my students became family." Tom teaches with praise, by example and with encouragement. "There are no mistakes in painting...a philosophy I learned from my business partner," he added, "And, it fits with who I am."

Since Tom's arrival in Longville in 2008, besides his painting classes, he also was a substitute teacher in Remer for five years but today his classes and volunteer work keep him more than busy. And, he loves being busy and loves the Longville community.

Last year was a tough one for Tom when he underwent four surgeries, three involving a brain bleed and another for prostate cancer. In a soft voice, he spoke of the "unbelievable support of the Longville community" which included a pancake breakfast fund raiser. While challenges remain, he is doing well.

"My favorite activity is giving artwork for fund raisers," Tom continued as it's obvious that his volunteer work covers many aspects of Longville from his VFW involvement to the Chamber of Commerce to the City to the Turtle Races...whatever. He also enjoys fishing and taxidermy which he taught himself how to do.

Tom's favorite medium is oil and his favorite subjects are anything nature...trees, flowers, scenery, animals. Amongst the organized clutter in his little shop (formerly Longville's Historical Society building) were paintings of pheasants, walleyes and turkeys, this year's entries into Minnesota DNR stamp contests. Tom competes with hundreds of entries and has been in the top ten several times and the top three once.

When asked what he wants his legacy to be, Tom was silent. And, so was the room.[[In-content Ad]]

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