PATRICIA L. BARR

It’s such a pleasure to be able to share the work of Weldon A. Fahrmeier,” says Pat Barr. “I first became acquainted with these paintings when I purchased a building at the now (very hip) corner of Avenue 53 & Figueroa. Mr. Fahrmeier, the building’s then-owner, mentioned that he painted and inquired if we would like to see his work. “Perhaps you’d like one or two,”, he said. A few days later, he brought on a painting. Immediately, I was charmed; they were (and are) glorious, bringing joy to all who lay eyes on them. Needless to say, one painting soon turned into 30.

Long before Highland Park became ‘glorious’ as Vogue magazine described it in Spring 2017, Mr. Fahrmeier was a native. He owned Wel Don Upholstery since the mid-1930s on Ave 53 in Highland Park and lived on Hillandale from that same period until his death in 2009. A hobbyist painter – he and his wife Marva spent their retirement traveling and photographing everything they laid eyes on; returning home to Highland Park to paint. Like Al Hirschfield’s iconic use of his daughter’s name ‘Nina’ throughout his work, Mr. Fahrmeier incorporated himself in many of the paintings – search his tableaux for a gentleman in blue with a cap (occasionally with a camera) – that’s him. Occasionally, Marva joined him, usually gazing at the horizon. An auto enthusiast, he loved cars. Many of his paintings feature his own vehicles – including his favorite Cadillac.