The Clackamas print., April 08, 1998, Page 3, Image 3

E n te rta i n m ent
Wednesday,
April 8, 1998
Art of alumnus shows creative talent
LAURA ARMSTRONG
Staff Writer
Something’s to be said for the modesty of Leland John, a
recognized artist and alumnus of Clackamas. A beautiful
gift that John has is passing off his exquisite talent in a
manner that puts other artists, notably his former students,
in the spotlight. Among his other attributes, John has a tal­
ent some can only dream of—he can light up a canvas in a
way that makes one stop in awe.
Paintings, drawings and projects by. John and some of
his former students are being displayed from April 1-30 at
the Carnegie Center in Oregon City. Oil paintings seem to
dominate the walls of the Carnegie Center. The subject of
the paintings range from scenes of the northwest to self­
portraits and further to abstract designs.
Many students like Brian House worked under John in
the early 1990s. Inspired to express himself through paint­
ing, House recalls the way John’s teaching helped him to
paint more openly.
“He’s exceptional as far as personality,” House says.
“With students he helped bring out that in us. He showed
us how to put it in our paintings.”
“Art gives you the freedom to dream,” House continues.
“If you can show your dreams on a canvas, then other people
can see those dreams.”
John started painting when he was about 18. Forty years
later he is continuing with his love.
“I’m just figuring out what I’m doing,” he says now.
A lot of John’s artwork is “basically done on the spot,”
he said. “I’ll draw a little first and sometimes take some
back (to the studio) and work on them.” Many of John’s oil
paintings have been done on the side of the road or as he
has been looking out of the window of his van. Most paint­
ings of his take the whole afternoon to paint and some ex­
tend into many hours of touch-up back in his studio.
Spontaneity runs high within the group of artists who ac­
company John. Calling themselves the Paul Kane Society,
after an artist who came west with the Hudson’s Bay Com­
pany, the group likes to go outdoors and paint. On their
journeys, every third Sunday of the month, they brave the
elements in groups as large as 20 and as small as five or six,
while traveling the northwest.
“Leland’s a fascinating guy.” Said Jerry Bates, a former
Leland John discusses one of his paintings with student Brian House.
student arid longtime friend of John’s. “He’s been a great
friend and I expect to be friends forever. He’s always there
when you need some help, or if he needs you to help him.”
The artwork shown at the Carnegie Center reflects John’s
beauty, talent and humor.
“One of the nicest things (about being an artist) is mak­
ing friends.” In a more light-hearted statement he said, “One
of the good things about are is that artist can keep working
‘till they’re 99, not like athletes who die at 50 with broken
knees.”
As a full-time painting and drawing instructor at
Clackamas for 26 years and part-time instructor for several
other years, Leland John had the opportunity to make con­
nections with many people at Clackamas. Urging Clackamas
students and faculty to get involved with the art scene, John
wishes to bridge the gap between Clackamas and the out­
side world.
“I would like to see some link between (the art gallery)
and the college,” he said. “This is a little link. Tell them to
come down.”
T0NI MCMICHAEL/Ciackamas Print
“John is married to artist Susan Laird and is the father of
two sons. He also has an extensive history of teaching. He
began at Mt. Angel College, and later went on to Portland
State, mound Hood Community College, Portland Com­
munity College and finally Clackamas. John attended the
University of Oregon where he received his Bachelor’s de­
gree in painting and drawing. Later he went on to receive
his Master’s degree in painting at the University of Iowa.
A former student of John ’s, Sandee Nycz, was the recipi­
ent of an oil painting as a gift from John. A longtime fan of
John’s warm nature paintings, Nycz awed at one that par­
ticularly caught her eye. The kind-hearted painter recog­
nized Nycz’s fascination with his painting and let her have
it.
“I’d like to send thanks to my teacher, my mentor and my
friend,” Nycz said.
John’s adoration for both art and people stretches far be­
yond measurable boundaries. It is a memorable experience
to view John’s artwork and see the beauty that one man is
able to capture on a canvas.
Sculptures go up around campus
As many Clackamas students have noticed, there have been numerous pieces of sculpture
popping up all over campus. This is all thanks to art instructor Rick True, who is coordinating
the event.
"I'd like them [students] to discover the potential of sculpture. It is first and foremost form,
the meaning comes from the form," True pointed out.
These sculptures will be up until the end of May, so students will have many chances to
observe these works of art. There are two events related to this show. On April 18 in the
Pauling Center, there will be a musical performance by Do Jump, which is described as
"extremely physical theater."
There will be a more in-depth look at the show and more photographs in next week's issue
of The Print.
TIMOTHY BELL/Clackamas Print
From Left: Drew Evensen, Les Tipton, Aimee Crosby, Rick
True and Kevin Philbrook help to put "Tendonitis" in place, a
sculpture by True made of styrofoam coating and mesh.
Wednesday, April 8, 1998