LARRY HEFNER
Words rarely do a painting justice, but Larry Hefner says the term 'abstract illusionism' is a close verbal description of his work. Larry is a multi-disciplined fine artist based in Oklahoma City. He primarily works in acrylic painting on canvas, but his creative mediums have encompassed printmaking, mixed media, commercial photography, and graphic design. Although there is consistency in his aesthetic goals, Larry embraces diversity in various mediums, with his large abstract paintings adopting a different visual language from his smaller works.
Fun With Nikolaj by Larry Hefner
Larry approaches his artwork with creative problem-solving from his graphic design and education background. He received his bachelor and master of fine arts degrees from the University of Oklahoma and has taught art and design at universities across the United States. Larry is a Professor Emeritus of Design at the University of Central Oklahoma. Alongside teaching, Larry has worked as a graphic designer and photographer with his studio, The Hefner Group, for many years.
Drawing from his design background, Larry's painting style is intuitive and process-driven. Rather than approach the canvas with a pre-determined plan, he allows the process to evolve the outcome of the work organically. His methodology involves applying thick coats of transparent acrylic paint to create a rich foundation of color, on top of which he applies large contrasting shapes. Each layer of paint impacts his approach to the next. The foreground layers include floating shapes with airbrushed shadows to create eerie realism in his paintings.
Behind Larry's abstract artworks are an exploration of relationships, from personal and environmental to architectural and conceptual. He finds inspiration in Abstract Impressionists such as Jackson Pollock and Gerhard Richter. Larry has also been impacted by local professors he has worked with including Eugene Bavinger, George Bogart, and Jack Bryan.
The subjects of Larry’s paintings most often connect to a non-pictorial concept or mental image, a feeling, or instinct. The journey from this instinct to the visual expression of a painting, drawing from his knowledge and experiences, is deeply personal and transformative. "Although my paintings are abstract in nature, they contain a universal connection based on art principles that allows any viewer to experience a sense of interest and intrigue, as well as an emotional response," says Larry.
