Image provided by: Clackamas Community College; Oregon City, OR
About The Clackamas print. (Oregon City, Oregon) 1989-2019 | View Entire Issue (May 22, 1996)
2 The Clackamas Print Wednesday, May 22,1996 Feature Leland John’s art^vorl^ on display in’F .¿I Retiring Art Instructor Leland John’s artwork will be on display in the Pauling Gallery until May 31. (Left) Civil War Buff, 1982 (Right) Paris, Arc Du Carousel, 1981 Joel Shempert Staff Writer In light of the fact that art instructor Leland John is retiring this June, the showing of his works that is on display at the Pauling Center is all the more sig nificant. John’s drawings and paintings, some of which date back to the 65-year-old artist’s childhood, represent a nigh in comparable chance to experience the genius of one of the greatest artists in our area. If any set of mere Words could describe John’s magnificent art, those still wholly inadequate words would have to be, “Back to Basics.” Leland John is a firm believer in the importance of hon est expression over pretentious style, and it shows with brilliant clarity in his work. John indicates one of the paintings on display from his childhood to illustrate this. “It was done when i was in nocent and unschooled, and so there’s some awkwardness, but there’s also truth and beauty,” John points out. “As soon as I got to school I started learning all this stuff, and. . .in many ways I became corrupted by all this silly style. ..” John’s work through the years, though, shows little sign of that “silly style,” and rather is indicative of solid form, grace and fluidity of line, and gorgeous use of colors and shades. All his sub jects, from his magnificent land scapes, to his elegant nude fig ures, to his charming and person able portraits, are treated with the respect and love borne of an art ist dedicated to his craft. The Clackamas Print Staff Editor-in-Chief: Chad Patteson (Ext. 2576) Managing Editor: Amy K. Hanson (Ext. 2576) News Editor: Pamela Sirianni (Ext. 2576) Feature/A&E Editor: Jon Roberts (Ext. 2578) Sports Editor: Lora Wahrgren (Ext. 2309) Photography Editor: Paul Ulmen (Ext. 2578) Copy Editor: Laney Fouse (Ext. 2309) Opinion Editor: Brendon Neal (Ext. 2309) Business Manager: Cori Kargel (Ext. 2578) Assistant Opinion Editor: Karin Redston (Ext. 2309) Assistant Feature Editor: Brad Zimmerman (Ext. 2309) Cartoonist: Brian Ray ♦ ♦♦♦ Staff Writers/Photographers: Eric Eatherton, Andrew Beck, Jessica Dvorak, Jack Evans, Brian Ray, Joel Shempert Secretary: Joanne Gale (Ext. 2309) Advisor : Linda Vogt (Ext. 2310) The Clackamas Print aims to report the news in an honest, unbiased, professional manner. The opinions expressed in The Clackamas Print do not necessarily reflect those of the student body, college administration, its faculty or The Clackamas Print's advertisers. Products and services adver tised in The Clackamas Print are not necessarily endorsed by anyone associ ated with The Clackamas Print. The Clackamas Print is a weekly publica tion distributed every Wednesday except for finals week. The advertising rate is $4.50 per column inch. All signed letters to the editor will be considered for publication and must be submitted by 1 p.m. the Friday prior to publication. Letters contain ing libelous material shall not be printed. Clackamas Community College, 19600 S. Molalla Avenue, Oregon City, Oregon, 97045; Barlow 104; (503) 657-6958, ext. 2309. E-mail: cccprint@clackamas.cc.or.us condemning the techniques of design and style,however, John acknowl edges their usefulness and even their necessity. “You still have to have a sense of design, and all those things that you learn, but those have to be just the vocabu lary, like correct spelling, and not the end of it,” the artist says. More than willing to practice what he preaches, John is attempt ing more than ever to return to the roots of his artistic expression, an endeavor which will surely be aided by his imminent retirement. “My latest work—it’s getting back to that innocence,” John emphati cally relates, “[of] looking straight at a subject and really trying to get the essence of that subject^’; Though his time here is nearly at a close, John is grateful to have worked at CCC. I’ve re ally enjoyed myself here, and more than enjoyed, I’ve really learned to respect the faculty and our administration.. .and I’ve had such wonderful students,” John affirms. “It’s such a great thing to be working with people who are training to do the same thing you’re doing.” John also hopes that this pursuit of art will con tinue in great numbers. “The rea son that you can have a Renais sance or a real development in art, is when you have a lot of people working in the same area who are somewhat like-minded,” he said. John is truly a man of great vision and great art. Clackamas is all the poorer for losing him. His art, which will be on display until May 31, is a genuine must- see for anyone who appreciates both fine art and the beauty of the human soul. Leland John will be missed; it is hoped that this op portunity will not be. Photos by Paul Ulmen (Below) View of Old Oregon City Bridge, 1980 ,<# < {al tmi M ||M by H HLati « JMTT 9 Espresso, Italian Sobas, anb More!! Regular Hours s Fion, ihm FrL ~ -7s 30 <SLam.o io 1 pam.o Encore Hours g Flon, Aim Thuirs, « 4:30 pom, io 9130 poIUo “99 When You Dine!!” 44 oz. pop for $.99 with the purchase of a sandwich or entree at the CCC Cafeteria. Limited time only!! Dont miss Mocha Mondays: All 8oz. mochas are $1.25,
