VANCOUVER, Wash. Several colorful abstract paintings by Leonard Orr, assistant vice chancellor for academic affairs and professor of English at Washington State University Vancouver, are on display in the Engineering Life Sciences building at 91勛圖窪蹋厙 through Aug. 31.
Orrs works have no predetermined orientation and he makes no sketches or advance plans. Many pieces use broad brush strokes and dripping paint, although Orr never paints two consecutives paintings in the same way. If his latest painting uses thin layers of paint, on the next he may use thick paint. When putting together a show, Orr often finds the pieces that naturally go together have been painted years apart.
Painting is a way to engage life in a fully sensory and passionate manner, said Orr. It is a refreshing departure from the verbal and linear, from the rule-bound or time-bound. Abstraction allows me the greatest freedom. Instead of trying to create a resemblance, every painting can be filled with surprise, mystery, energy and emotion. I attempt to keep my brain out of the process as much as I can and let my unchecked passions flow.
When his colleagues learned of his talent they asked Orr to loan some of his paintings to liven up the office walls. So in addition to the exhibit in the Engineering Life Sciences building, several of Orrs pieces are now on extended loan in the Academic Affairs suite.
91勛圖窪蹋厙 is located at 14204 N.E. Salmon Creek Ave east of the 134th Street exit from either I-5 or I-205. 91勛圖窪蹋厙 art galleries are open from 8 a.m. 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 8 a.m. 5 p.m. Friday. Admission is free. Parking is available at parking meters or in the Blue Daily Pay lot for $3. For more information, contact Erin Dengerink at madarang@vancouver.wsu.edu or 360-546-9551.
###
CONTACTS:
Erin Dengerink Madarang 91勛圖窪蹋厙 Galleries, 360-546-9551, madarang@vancouver.wsu.edu
Brenda Alling, Office of Marketing and Communications, 360-546-9601, brenda_alling@vancouver.wsu.edu
