Book by Warren man honors great-uncle's achievements

Copies of the book will be given to two area libraries.
By JAYME RAMSON
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
WARREN -- John Boop will always remember his great-uncle's paintings. They hang in every room of his home.
But Boop, of Warren, fears that soon he and his family will be the only people that remember the work of the late John L. Lloyd.
So Boop compiled a book filled with his great-uncle's paintings, biographical information and accomplishments. Boop is attempting to reintroduce Lloyd and his work in hope of garnering more recognition for his great-uncle.
On summer afternoons 70 years ago, one could find Lloyd, classified as an impressionist landscape artist, teaching art classes in Mill Creek Park.
Lloyd was known not only for his own paintings but also for his service to the Youngstown and Warren areas. The artist lived in Warren for 67 years, up until his death in 1967 at the age of 82.
"He might be recognized as something even greater than what we think," Boop said. "He contributed so much to this area, I think it is time again to share it with the public."
He would give private lessons on occasion and sometimes he would give lessons for free. He would lend his paintings to local stores to help promote the stores and his paintings.
"We can't find 20 or 30 of his pictures that we think he gifted," Boop said. "Often he would just give them."
Hoping to be notified
Boop hopes that more people will step forward and say they have Lloyd paintings after the book is published. He said that the book, which will be copyrighted, represents a cross-section of Lloyd's paintings.
Boop started working on the project in October. While he was framing some paintings, he got caught up in the beauty of the art, saying the paintings brought back old memories. That's when Boop decided something needed to be done.
He started by calling his siblings and his nieces and nephews, requesting photographs of the paintings that hang in their homes. Then, Boop said, he knew the public should be re-introduced to his great-uncle's work.
To accomplish that, he will gift copies of the book to the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County and to the Warren Public Library. Boop expects the book to be finished and in the libraries in about a month.
He said the book will not be available for sale. It is intended as a legacy to Lloyd, his extended family and the community to commemorate the artist and his work.
Lloyd painted most actively between 1910 and 1950. During this span, he produced more than 400 paintings.
Well-known in art world
Boop said his great-uncle was well-known among the middle-aged population and the art world during that time. Lloyd, however, didn't have the money to take his work beyond this area.
"Is he really at the level that should be further recognized? You don't get that recognition without spending some money and putting on some shows," Boop said.
Lloyd's paintings have hung from the walls of the Butler Institute of American Art in Youngstown but never as part of a one-man show, something Boop thinks is attainable.
"His work showed his brilliant color. He was known for being a master of colors and composition," Boop said. "Critics would keep saying that his compositions were perfect or just great."
Boop said the project was a "labor of love" and that it was more than worth the time and effort he put into the project.
The former mechanical engineer, a graduate of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, has done his share of creative work but said nothing compares to the book.
"I think this is one of the best things I ever did," Boop said. "I have patents and everything else and nothing beats this."
jramson@vindy.com