LARRY FORGARD

For many years my paintings have all included the interpretation of the figure with abstractions and realism intertwined in vague compositions. Movement and flow of the figure in its surroundings with gestures leaving impressions in time sometimes create ghostlike forms.

The background textures weave together in a color and textural composition which creates a story line through the juxtapostioning of the elements.

My latest studies involve further abstracting the figure and weaving this into vague environmental or landscape scenes. Abstractions of texture and color in harmony with figurative shapes move the attention back and forth in moving compositions.

Recently a stay in New York City inspired me to try some urban landscapes with the thought of exploring the use of color and mood in a different way.

My work has always been an interpretation of reality with some abstraction in each scene.

A couple of different market places were chosen and a digital photo was taken for reference. Each painting was then developed and painted on canvases which are mounted on boards using the same general viewpoint of the scene.

Color and mood and sometimes time of day were the focus in creating a dramatic statement that borders on the surrealistic with the goal being an endless interpretation.

I’m a native of Chicago, Illinois, before moving to Florida in 1985. Educated at both The Chicago Art Institute and The American Academy of Art, my career was graphic design working in many Chicago Advertising Agency’s and Studios. I gained the opportunity to use the city experience and education to become a figure drawing instructor at the Ringling College of Art and Design in Sarasota, Florida. Since 1985 I’ve been teaching figure studies for first and second year students and in continuing education, plus workshops in North Carolina. I have given many lectures and television interviews relating to my journey through the creative process. Many galleries have or are now showing and representing my artwork, some including the cities of Chicago, Washington D.C., Boca Raton, Tampa, Palm Beach, Captiva Florida, Louisville Kentucky, and Sarasota. Others are represented in many private collections around the country. I’ve also exhibited my work at Lincoln Center’s Cork Gallery in New York City.

Currently I’m represented at Katherine Butler Gallery, Sarasota Florida, Jan’s Art and Antiques, Captiva Florida, Kay Lagerquist Gallery, Atlanta Georgia, and Jenkins and Eliason Interiors in Louisville Kentucky.