Favorite material to work with? Acrylic on paper
What themes do you pursue? I work from my imagination most of the time. I never paint exactly what is in front of me. The subject I paint can be influenced by news events or just the way I’m feeling on a particular day. Even if a piece starts off as a drawing from a life drawing session as in the series of nudes I did a couple of years ago, the final painting will be much different from what I was seeing.
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How many years as an artist?
I knew what I wanted to be from the age of seven. I have been a professional designer/painter/illustrator for over 40 years.
Sketchbook? Do you use one? What type? Yes, I have been using a sketch book or journal from the first day I start art school. Six years ago W.W. Norton & Co., a New York & London based publisher published a coffee table book of my journals.
Most important tool you use? My brain, I hope.
Where is your studio? Battersea, near Battersea Park.
What was the best advice given to you as an artist? From myself on a regular basis, “Keep your ego out of your work”.
Why do you make art? I need to make art. It’s something in my DNA. I don’t feel right unless I’m creating something.
Art school or self-taught? Art school. I graduated from the Art Center College of Design Los Angeles. ( Now in Pasadena ).
Favorite font? Favorite serif font is Requiem, favorite san serif is Gotham.
Tattoos? No.
Prefer to work with music or in silence? Must have music while I’m working.
iTunes, spotify, records? itunes, extensive, eclectic library.
Succulents or cigarettes? I gave up cigarettes 25 years ago.
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What’s around the corner from your place? Battersae Dog & Cat home.
Where can we find you outside the studio? Cinema, museum, gallery, restaurant the usual places.
If you couldn’t be an artist, what would you do? Musician.
Day job? Graphic designer / artist.
Food or sleep? Love food.
Would you rather be able to make a living as an artist now or become famous after you die? Make a living as an artist.
Were you popular in high school? Yes, I got along with everyone because I could draw. From the tough guys to the goodie, goodie students wanted me to draw something on their notebook covers.
Would you rather see your art on a t-shirt or on a billboard? Billboard.
Would you ever figure model naked? No.
Traditional or conceptual? A bit of both.
A piece of art you love? Hylas and the Nymphs by John William Waterhouse.
Which living or dead artist would you most like to meet?
Francis Bacon.
Use anything other than paint? Sometimes found objects, ink, pencil, crayon, gold leaf.
Oil or acrylic? Acrylic.
Figurative or abstract? Both.
Representational or Surreal? Both.
Photo references?No.
Is painting dead? Never.
What do you wear while you paint? Jeans and t-shirt.
Painting Inside or Outside? Inside.
Monet or Manet? Monet
I enjoyed your interview. I’ve travelled the same road: graphic designer/art director, illustrator and, now, painter. I’ve been trying to transition from a 40-year career in design to painter for several years—difficult process. I, too, paint acrylic on paper. My preference was acrylic on canvas, but the commercially made products are so inferior today that I switched to paper.
Wonderful article. So refreshing to read about artists using good ol’ paper. Love your art and your philosophy. “Keep your ego out of your work.” Brilliant and true. Best of luck to you!
Love this artist’s work – I spotted the Bacon influence immediately but it’s sufficiently different to be exciting and original.
Your clock is up the spout – it’s 12.20pm!!
Larry Vigon’s work comes straight from the psyche. His devotion to bringing images forth through his skill and imagination is impressive and intimate. It reflects an urgent necessity to be true to what emerges through his being.
Love the interview, wish it were longer. Always fascinating to get behind the scenes and into the psyche. I have the DREAM sketchbook journal book and it leaves one gobsmacked, it clearly plays into his work. I find the work disturbing in the best way, deep and demanding, yet giving––masks of the soul.
Loved the interview Larry! Congrats! I agree with Jayme, you work is richly textured, intriguing, demanding, and at times disturbing, but in the best way! Bravo for being brave about letting your unconscious have fun while you’re making art!
Mary Anne
I am a big fan of Larry’s….for obvious reasons. I like Jayme’s comments. I was a neighbor of Larry’s in late High School. He was always the consumate student and professional…. putting school and study before recreation. He did borrow my guitar on occassion so he had something to fall back on. Nice posting here! Congrats Larry. Dave
Larry
Howdy. Always wonderful to see your work and what you are up to.
I have loved Larry’s work now for years. I have his book “Dream” and a scan from it in my own studio.
I also own too original scans of other pieces he painted.
I have also had the pleasure of working with him years ago on a graphic logo he designed for a client. His advertising/ graphic work,is also astounding, making him, for me the true Rennaisance Artist.
I’ve known Larry for more years then we both would probably want to admit, and this goes back to the times we played tennis together in LA. Also, Jayme Odgers, a brilliant artist, and another inspiration in my life. It’s kind of an interesting synchronicity that the three of us were working in the commercial art world in LA at the same time (for those who don’t know, Larry and Jayme designed some of the great album covers, which also became extremely famous) , and now we all work in the unique world of fine art. As to the ego (referencing Jessie’s comment), in my spiritual path of meditation, we have a saying – “When God steps in, the ego steps out; when the ego steps in, God steps out.” I think I’ll just leave it at that.
Great work Larry !
I like your paintings very much!! Brilliant works!!
Larry’s work is amazing in so many ways. His own Dream journal paintings and his contribution as the art director of The Red Book, C. G. Jung’s encounter with the unconscious, have touched me especially. And I am always intrigued by the depth of his paintings and the way he is willing to let them take him where they will.
Very proud to call myself one of Larry’s major influences from our days in Santa Monica,California.
I had the privilege of working for Mr. Vigon in my early years as a graphic designer in L.A. I learned so much from him and have always admired his work. Happy to see that you’re still creating!