Purdue employee excels with art

By Nathan Dean
Editor in Chief

When John Oilar isn't working for Buildings Services, he's drawing artwork that is featured around the United States.

Oilar, a custodian with Building Services, recently won the best drawing award at the 76th Annual Hoosier Salon Exhibition in cooperation with the Indiana State Museum. His artwork, titled "Vienna III," won the best drawing award and the purchase award. The artwork is now on display at the Indiana State museum and will be traveling around the state for three months.

Although Oilar has been featured in magazines, art exhibits and even some student organization's logos, it's the love of drawing that he is after.

"It all started in pre-school. I could draw pictures that had recognizable features to them, such as perspective, colors, details, background and foreground," said Oilar.

Oilar, who spent time as an art teacher for junior high students, graduated from Western New Mexico University with a degree in fine arts in 1969. It was there that he found his inspiration.

"We went on a trip to Europe and spent one month in Florence, Italy. It was there that I studied sculpture and frescos and learned from the Renaissance. I'll never forget it. It's still fresh in my mind as if it was yesterday — it felt like home."

It was in Europe that he found what he wanted to draw: buildings. Oilar's likes to favor large buildings with a lot of attention to detail for his drawing, which number around 1,000.

"While drawing a large building is the goal, I also like to pay attention to the towns surrounding the building as well. In Florence, the entire city is a piece of art. Everything had art a part of it and it was just so amazing."

Among the artists he credits to be his inspiration would be Van Gogh, Rembrandt and Michelangelo.

"My style isn't exactly like those of Van Gogh and Rembrandt, but it is sort of a combination between the two. One person has described it as being a romantic style with how the lights meets the darks."

Although Oilar has been drawing all of his life, it wasn't until five years ago that his drawing ability increased. From the encouragement of his wife, he started to draw more and build up his techniques. Eventually, he says, he climbed a plateau and it got easier.

"I've gotten things down to a style. I've improved quite a bit during the past few years."

After winning the two awards in the Hoosier Salon contest, he will be featured in a one-man showing at the Lafayette Savings and Loan Bank in September and October. He has also signed with a agent from Hollywood, who travels around the U.S. selling artwork. In a few months, his drawings will be available online.

Despite that though, the only person Oilar draws for is himself.

"I try to please myself first, then others. I figure if I please myself, then I hope others will be pleased with my drawings."