Lacey Police Sergeant Turns Artist

Jim Tranz has been a police sergeant with the Lacey Township Police Department for 25 years but a featured artist for nearly one month.

In November, Tranz was selected to have his photography displayed at the Wolfgang Art Gallery, which is owned and operated by Mikey Teutul of Orange County Choppers featured on the Discovery Channel’s reality television series American Chopper.

“I’ve been in the hobby for several years photographing wildlife, nature and landscapes on vacations,” Tranz said. “Over time I received a lot of compliments and people would ask for photos to display.”

After visiting the art gallery in Montgomery, New York, Tranz showed his photographs to Teutul. The Wolfgang Art Gallery devotes a section to up and coming artists. Teutul invited Tranz to display his work from November until January.

One of the photographs on display is named “The Path of Life,” which depicts a country pathway lined by trees with fall colored leaves.

On Nov. 12, Tranz attended the opening night of the art exhibit, where he, Mikey and Paul Teutul plotted to propose to his girlfriend Kristine.

“It was really a nice twist,” he said.

Kristine said “yes” and Tranz hit it off with Paul Teutul, who builds motorcycles.

“We related what he does to art with using vision to build motorcycles,” Tranz said. “They’re really down to earth people. There is no superior air and they are genuinely supportive.”

“I’ve met a lot of artists,” he said. “I’m starting to branch out with professional connections. It’s progressing quickly.”

Tranz is working on a project for Barnes and Noble, has been asked by stores to display his photos, is putting together a book of his photographs for future endeavors and has begun to explore painting.

“Which is what I enjoy. Everyone takes something away,” he said. “It’s brand new to me. It’s opened a brand new door to me. I look forward to learning more and expanding for sure.”

Mikey Teutul continues to guide Tranz through the painting process.

“Hopefully one day I will be good enough to put a price tag on them,” he said.

As a member of the police department, Tranz said he joined the force to help people.

“You see both ends of humanity. You see life and death here and people don’t have the opportunity to say thank you,” he said. “With art, you get lost in the quietness of nature and the flow of life.”

Mikey Teutul was unavailable for comment.