Born in Powell County, Indiana, John Weis became a painter of varied output that includes regional scenes of Ohio, shaded New England and French streets, still lifes, and portraits.

He moved at a very young age with his family to Higginsport, Ohio and then when he was age nine to Norwood, Ohio. The early death of his father and the struggle of his mother to raise the family were lasting influences on the young man who at age fourteen enrolled in night classes at the Cincinnati Academy. He worked during the days at many jobs including at a lithography shop, as a sign painter, a soda fountain clerk, and an electric coil winder until he was able to enroll full time in the Academy. His teachers were so impressed that he was offered a job...