Meet Tim Spransy
Some families are blessed with several members who have unique and special talents. The Spransy clan is one such family! We may have the “battle of the brothers” on our hands, as we turn our attention from Tim’s brother. Matt, who was previously featured on The Faces of Lake Country, to Tim, a very talented musician and artist!
I’ve had the pleasure of knowing Tim since our high school days. He’s always been “the cool guy”, who plays a mean guitar, has a rock star voice and can draw and paint anything! His musical talent took him touring oversees professionally with a band before ultimately focusing his music in the faith arena as a worship and music director for local churches, something he was called to do. What a treat to attend worship and hear his voice, often in tandem with his wife Maura’s, and the many local musicians he would call upon to enhance a worship service.
Music and art have always been a major focus of Tim’s professional life, but in the past few years, Tim changed gears from being a worship leader to focusing on his art, something he has always been equally passionate about. Recently, he painted a commissioned piece to help raise funds for a new community park in Oconomowoc, Rockwell Park on Fowler Lake. He’s been featured at the juried art festival in Oconomowoc, and also in local establishments who are very happy to display his work. His style is sophisticated and beautiful. If you are lucky enough to own one of his art pieces, it is most likely a cherished one.
Tim Spransy is a helper, a doer, and a compassionate soul who works hard to make our community a bit brighter. Presenting my friend, Tim Spransy, our very own “Renaissance Man”!
About Tim Spransy
Tim was born in Milwaukee, WI, raised in Oconomowoc, and has always been fascinated by drawing, painting, playing the guitar and songwriting. He’s the youngest of three brothers and one sister. He lived in Oregon for most of the 80’s where he met his wife Maura. They eventually moved to Cincinnati, OH, where Tim went to art school and graduated with honors. In 1990, after he graduated, they moved back to Oconomowoc and have lived in the Lake Country area ever since. Both of his careers as a painter and musician have led to many wonderful experiences with some great stories in tow.
Q: Please tell us a little bit about your family.
I have been married to Maura for almost 38 years. Together we have 3 adult children and 4 beautiful grandchildren. Maura, originally from Los Angeles, has a background in fine art and is a skilled guitar player, songwriter and is in the mortgage industry. My extended family has always produced a fair amount of musicians and artists going back a generation or two. Both my aunt and uncle, Alan Gass and Celeste Spransy, were well known regional artists in the 60’s and beyond.
Q: Please tell us about your life and what you do (whether working in our community, a business owner, volunteer, etc.). How did you choose that path?
I am a full time portrait and landscape artist. I chose this line of work because I love painting and drawing. Also, after I finished my first career as a touring musician I had to take what I thought was the shortest path to earning a good, steady income. I remember my parents being very encouraging toward these disciplines when I was young but they cautioned me to not take them too seriously as I would likely never be able to support a family in these professions. As it turns out, by the grace of God, art and music have always been the way I’ve provided for my family.
Q: What do you love most about what you do?
Delivering a new finished work to the client. If I’ve done my job well the finished piece is often received with delight, smiles and even sometimes tears.
Q: What was the most difficult challenge in getting to where you are now or in your life?
The lack of patience was a big challenge which is ironic since my paintings tend to take a long time to finish. Another challenge was the unpredictability of having steady work. As a husband and father of three young children at the time, with bills to pay, it could be overwhelming on occasion. However, those circumstances also proved to be a great teaching tool regarding my faith in God as well as developing the patience needed in life.
Q: What is the most rewarding part?
Being able to paint and play music professionally has been hugely rewarding because often my work seemed more like play than work. In addition, I love the tactile nature of being an artist. The smells of fresh oil paint, the holding of the pencil or brush always feels like home to me. Stress and angst almost always disappear when I’m drawing, painting or composing a new song. Like the conductor of an orchestra, my brushes help direct the melodic composition of the painting while the process of exploring composition, combined with storytelling, has always captured my attention. Painting gives me a lot of freedom.
Q: What are some of your future goals? Do you have anything exciting coming up that you would like to share?
My future goals are more of a commitment than any particular goals. That commitment is to improve or learn something new each day… to always be in growth mode. That makes life more exciting and rewarding. In terms of future projects, I am working on several new pieces; one of which is a 4’ x 12’ oil painting of a Texas longhorn out in the wide open land of Oklahoma at sunset. This piece is for the wonderful folks at Coco’s Restaurant in Oconomowoc. The other piece is for a friend who is an aeronautical engineer who is helping develop a helicopter with no tail rotor. This work will feature the copter at rest in Monument Valley, during the golden hour, with the engineering team standing in front of it.
Q: What advice would you give to someone interested in doing something similar to what you have done/are doing?
Anyone considering pursuing being an artist full-time should be doing it because they can’t live life without doing it. You have to be so in love with the process of creating art that the costs of it become hurdles and not barriers. Be courageous, charge at your fears and overcome them. Another piece of advice I would give is to study the work of other artists that inspire you. Read all you can, copy their work and try to figure out what their process was or is.
Tim Spransy & Our Community
Q: What is your favorite thing about our community, favorite thing to do, or something unique about our community that you love? (Feel free to share as much as you’d like!)
The name Oconomowoc rocks! I love the people, the lakes and my memories of growing up here. One of my favorite things to do is to watch the sunset from Rockwell Park and when I’m able to, walk around Fowler lake. Also, I love the Magic Mansion concert series each summer. It’s such a unique thing to Oconomowoc specifically and it’s a great place to catch up with old and new friends.
Q: Who is an interesting person you’ve met here in our community, and how have they inspired you?
The first name that comes to mind has to be Verne Timme. Back in the day when I went on my very first job interview in Milwaukee after college, Verne interviewed me. He was very encouraging and though I didn’t get the job he inspired me to keep moving forward in pursuit of my goals. Today, he lives half a mile down the road from me, and at 88 years old, he still has a burning passion for art and creativity. He’s also one of my favorite contemporary painters.
Q: Do you have a favorite coffee shop, cocktail shop, or restaurant?
I love both Roots and Whelan’s in Oconomowoc. Both are owned by some great folks with each having they’re own unique vibe.
Q: What 3 words would you use to describe our community?
Beautiful, generous, compassionate.
For Fun
Q: What is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
When I was in my teens I was a member of the West Allis speed skating team where I qualified to compete in the 1975 Olympic trials. I didn’t make it onto the team but it was an honor to compete.
Q: What is your favorite book, TV show, movie, poem, or song? Why?
The Bible is a favorite book of mine because it encourages me and challenges me to grow. I’m not a big TV guy but among my all time favorite movies is “What’s Eating Gilbert Grape”.
Q: Who inspires you to be better?
My wife and all of my children because they are such dedicated and hard workers.
Q: If you were a drink (can be a coffee drink, alcoholic, non-alcoholic, etc.), what would you be?
Tang. Because I was obsessed with it as a kid.
Q: If you could have lunch with anyone, who would it be with? Why?
Johnny Depp. He’s an artist, guitar player and creative soul. I think that we would have a lot to talk about because of our similar interests.
Q: What is something on your bucket list?
I would like to visit Glacier National Park. My dad had promised to take us there when we were kids but it didn’t work out.
Q: What makes you the happiest?
Just hanging out with my wife, children and grandchildren.
Q: Any general life advice you would like to share?
Always remember that “This too shall pass”. When you’re in the valley “This too shall pass” when you’re on the mountaintop “This too shall pass”.
Where to Find Tim Spransy
Email: Timspransy@gmail.com
Phone: (262) 370-5119
Website: Timspransyfineart.com
