48th Annual Exhibition & Sale

OUR 2026 JUDGE

Joseph Orr

For Joseph Orr, travel and painting have been lifelong passions—intertwined pursuits he has successfully combined for more than fifty years. His deep appreciation for the landscape calls for a sensitive study of atmospheric nuance, color harmony, and the subtle transitions of the seasons. He enjoys sketching and painting on location year-round, embracing both the challenges and rewards of working directly from nature. For Orr, the act of putting paint to canvas is not only an artistic endeavor, but an ongoing adventure.

Having embraced the acrylic medium early in his career, Orr has become widely recognized as one of its foremost practitioners. He has contributed written material to several art instruction books and magazines, sharing his expertise with fellow artists.

Mr. Orr is a founder and current Signature Member of the National Oil and Acrylic Painters’ Society. He works from his studio in Osage Beach, Missouri, and his paintings are represented by prominent galleries across the United States.

His work has been featured in magazines such as Art of the West, Southwest Art, and American Artist, among others. His paintings also appear in the books Art From The Parks by Rachel R. Wolf, A Town On Two Rivers by Victoria Hubbell, and Magnolias, Porches & Sweet Tea by Pat Branning. His work is included in numerous corporate and private collections.

“Coming in to judge this show, I am excited to see what the artists of Indiana are producing. As an enthusiastic fan of TC Steele, and acquainted with many current Indiana artists, I am well aware of the quality and resonance that the artists of this state are capable of and known for. As a self-taught artist of over 50 years, I have always compared the academically trained artists who crossed by path with the self-taught ones. The former, I observe, may be advanced in technical skills in compositional placement, perspective and color choices, where the latter may have keener observational skills which bring a certain nuance. The artist who has learned through observation and experimentation at times exhibits a fresher approach than one adhering to technical restrictions. I applaud both and all work will be weighed equally when making my choices. I will be looking not only for quality in technical skills but works that illicit an emotional response through use of color, light and composition, regardless of trend, fashion or subject matter.”

– Joseph Orr