Artist David Orrell knew he wanted to be a painter from about age 10 when he was given a paint set and was in Eastport for the summer. It wasn't just a children's set of inferior art supplies, it was an oil painting kit. "No crayons for me," Orrell smiles and then breaks into his infectious laugh. The young lad took his kit, went to S.L. Wadsworth's wharf and looked around at all the picturesque boats. "I painted the gasoline pump." He guffaws at the thought of his childhood self of almost 75 years ago.
     The very first artwork is long gone, but many of Orrell's paintings will be gathered for a retrospective show to be held at the Eastport Arts Center Washington Street Gallery from Tuesday, July 2, to Tuesday, July 30, with a reception on Friday, July 5, from 3 to 5 p.m. Some are from his collection, and others will be gathered from homes far and wide.
     Orrell was born in Massachusetts, received his certificate from the School of the Worcester Art Museum and his degree from Clark University. But because his family was a part of the MacNichol clan of Eastport, as a child he spent summers at the island city. During WWII, when labor was short, he and his whole family moved to Eastport, so his father could help staff the MacNichol Packing Co. Orrell always knew that Eastport would be his home, it just took a while until he and his wife Marie retired and came to live in the island city in 1995.
     In retirement Orrell was finally able to paint full‑time. He became a member of the Eastport Gallery, built a studio on the back of his Eastport home and dived into his new life as a studio artist. Throughout his life he had painted, but to support his growing family he took to teaching and ended up loving it. He taught adult education classes, where he met Marie. He taught for years in the Connecticut school system and directed a gallery during the summer season for a while.
     Life was hard financially. The Orrells recount the summer they rented out their house, which earned more for them than if Orrell had spent the summer working, and hit the road in a beat up old camper with their children, ages three, six and nine, for an extended camping trip. Life was full of work even with a bit of bohemian fun, but there wasn't much time to nurture his art career. "I showed here and there," he explains. Thankfully, teaching was engaging. He speaks fondly of a number of students and has some of their artworks on his walls. During all those years he taught many different styles, and as result, he painted in many different styles, too. "No gallery wants that. They want something that clearly states, 'David Orrell.'" He shrugs.
     "I've done the best I could," Orrell says of his painting. Because of the range of his styles, he's not sure that the art world would say that he's found himself. Those who know his works, or will see them for the first time at the show, will agree that he surely has. There are styles that range and variety, but when the works stand side‑by‑side, they all have a signature blend of deep seriousness about to teeter off into that rowdy Orrell chuckle.
      Orrell's wife has been featured in a number of his paintings, despite the fact that she found sitting difficult. Of his painting career, Marie says, "I was very proud of him. He worked really, really hard." She adds, "I'm looking forward to the show. He deserves it. I'm so proud that he's getting the recognition he deserves."