Nicholas Orr

When Nicholas started college he began to understand why he loved art as much as he did; He could use his skills to tell stories and convey emotions for people to live in. He majored in Illustration and got his BFA in 2002. After graduating he moved to Los Angeles, California where he went on to become a freelance Graphic Designer and Artist. He spent his time fine-tuning his craft and figuring out what story he wanted to tell with it. After five years of shows and design work Nicholas decided to make another big change and moved to Portland, Oregon in 2007. He is now starting to gather up his knowledge and experience to make a new life for himself. My art is what I like to call a reflection of what something looks like on the inside. I feel like there is so much information about things hidden behind the surfs; All you have to do is look for it. In most of my paintings I feel as though I'm giving the viewer an all access pass to a persons or things inner beauty and emotion; At least how I see them. Rarely do we get the chance to just look someone in the eye without either you or them feeling a little uncomfortable about it; You lose the connection. With the way the future is coming and coming fast there probably will never be a chance for that connection to happen again. The world now communicates with cell phones and instant messaging, practically void of direct human contact. When I paint, I paint with every stroke building over the next like I'm forming a person's personality from the inside out. This is why I mostly paint with oil sticks. They're very physical, earthy and raw. It all comes together in the end to make a powerful image. Other times I use Gouache. It brings a totally different feel as it is softer and yet has the ability to get thick and meaty all at the same time, which most people tend to be. My paintings are like a summery of a thought or person; An overall view of what they could be. Now you could stare for hours without feeling awkward. You can get to know the person in the painting and understand them through their eyes and body-language. There is just so much beauty in things but, sadly, it doesn't seem like they notice most of the time. My paintings slow you down. They make you want to get to know things again.

Exhibits