Dan's Papers May 21, 2010 by Dan's Papers

DAN'S PAPERS, May 21, 2010 Page 12 www.danshamptons.com

Honoring the Artist: Larry Johnston Larry Johnston’s cover this week, “Light of Day,” combines all of the artist’s recurring images: a structure, the water and boats. This particular piece, however, also suggests a meaning that’s not common to Johnston’s work. There’s a contradictory quality, a sense of something ending (the peeling paint) along with the water’s permanence seen in the background. It’s Johnston’s idea of “timelessness” that we see here. Another opposition may also be noticed in Johnston’s frequent use of background/foreground composition where a boat or building is juxtaposed with the sea/pond. Whether there’s any philosophical meaning in these arrangements is difficult to determine. No matter. The images are arresting on their own. Q: Where is the location of the cover? I know you are a plein air artist and also paint in your studio. The point is, you don’t make up your images. A: This work was done in Bellport Village, from the porch of the Unitarian Universalist Church. I have painted there many times. Q: You had an interesting way of getting to this place. A: Yes, I biked into town with lightweight art supplies on the back of my bike. Q: You live only two miles from Bellport, so I guess it was easy. I know you also bike with friends and paint on location with them. In fact, you have friends all over the North Fork and East End. It’s apparent you are connected to this area. A: I grew up in North Babylon, but I love the North Fork, especially its rural quality. There’s one way in and one way out. Q: What is it about the coastal area that means something to you? A: The timeless quality. My subject matter was not a deliberate choice; it evolved. It’s a happy compromise from the still lifes I used to do. It’s fortunate that coastal scenes are what I do. Q: Where are some of your favorite spots?

A: Orient Point, Greenport, Shelter Island. The lighthouse at Cedar Point is one of my very favorite places on Long Island. Q: What has changed in your professional life since we last spoke? A: I am a new member of the Salmagundi Club in New York. It’s a real honor because artists like Childe Hassam belonged. (It was started in 1871.) This past holiday season, I was in their exhibit. I also joined the Long Island Plein Air Painters’ Society a few years ago. I aspire to a higher level as an artist, surrounding myself with people more accomplished than myself. Q: Why do you like painting with groups outdoors? A: Working in the studio, you need to be isolated. Working outdoors you need to be intensely focused, too, but it’s part of my social life to be with other artists. Q: You teach at the Art & Soul Gallery in Eastport which brings you into contact with people as well. A: I like to teach because I can challenge myself. I can ask myself why I paint a certain way. Q: Regarding changes, have you altered your medium or do you plan to? A: I’m still with oil painting. It’s a very satisfying and forgiving medium. I used to do charcoal and watercolor, but I’m a tonalist. Q: One thing that hasn’t changed, I know, is your concern for what’s happening in America. Are you still optimistic about our financial future? A: I have to accept things about the market. But I feel things will get better. In the face of reality, I remain optimistic. —Marion Wolberg Weiss Larry Johnston will have a show at Chrysalis Gallery in Southampton starting July 3. It will be on view for three weeks. Call 631-287-1883. His website is laurencejohnston.com

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