JOSEPH L. DORRIS -- ARTIST
Here is a little about my artwork.
From my earliest memories, I doodled, painted, and drew on everything in the house--even places where my mother didn't intend. I wanted to create things--things I saw, and things I dreamed. When I turned six, a teacher decided she no longer wanted her old oil paints and, surprisingly, gave them to me! Under my mother's guiding hand, I learned to paint with those old oils. I still have the first painting of a bird I did. I'll also never forget my tenth birthday when my mother gave me my first set of real watercolors. I still have the empty, worn out tubes and the last watercolor painting I did for my mother with them before she died.
Many others encouraged me and my art: My third grade teacher who, also an artist, pestered me about what paints I had or didn't have. Occasionally I'd show up to my desk in class and find, miraculously, the color of green (or whatever color) I needed. My fifth grade teacher who, if she were still teaching and alive would still have my work proudly displayed about her room. And my eighth grade teacher who had me put the anatomy of the grasshopper--and all other living things we examined--on the blackboard for my classmates to copy and study.
But all this is another story.
Unfortunately, after a good start, my painting got put on the back burner--mostly, while raising kids. During those most recent years, I spent time in the classroom teaching them or time on the soccer field, coaching them. And yes, I did spend time with them and encouraged their own artistic talents. I made certain ample supplies of paper, paints, and brushes were everywhere in the house. And yes, they love creating things as well.
But I'll never forget those who encouraged me, and I'll always dream of becoming the artist they believed in.
I'm probably most "recognized" for my 8' by 4' murals I've done over the years. As a teenager, I did two, one of historic McCall, Idaho, and one of Payette Lakes for my high school. I did four panels while a cadet at the Air Force Academy of "cadet life" spanning my four years, Order Sabers, which hangs near the book store. At Malmstrom AFB, I did another capturing the various aspects of missile duties. And at Squadron Officer School, I painted an 8' by 16' mural of charging bulls.
My favorite canvas size is 3' by 2' and I enjoy most, painting landscapes in oils. Many of my landscapes are based on the places I've been, including Idaho, Montana, Colorado, and Alabama.
I've painted and sketched various greeting cards all my life. I began by hand-painting Christmas cards while still in high school and sold them for 85 cents apiece. Today, I do pen and inks and print the cards on water-color stock so I can paint a few. I've probably done 100 designs which I printed. I have no idea of those I individiually drew and painted.
Other of my artwork has appeared in articles I've written, illustrations I did for teaching, coloring books, and guides to the mineral hobby.
Here are a few of my paintings. Hopefully, I'll add photos to these pages in the next few months and years.
Like my writing, I have lots of tales yet to tell.
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| My first oil painting. Age 6 |