Amelie's Dream Painting

Born at Phoenix, Arizona USA 1948. Lives at Chandler, Arizona. Larry Willis has exhibited his work since the 1980s from California to Maine. Twice selected for the Arizona Bienial at the Tucson Museum of Art. Primarily painting on canvas he sometimes introduces other items to the work such as gold leaf, foam core, wood, etc. also dabbling in photography, watercolor and music. Thus he was recently referred to in the Arizona Republic news paper as a multidimensional artist.In my work I use elements of abstraction and various degrees of realism to achieve a desired affect that varies from piece to piece, drawing on the traditions in art in subject and technique, also bringing in elements of pop culture focusing on the transient nature and relativity of fame, the personas we create for our selves and the illusions we chouse to believe. Some works are more lyrical and others more narrative. I love art and the varying creative processes. I have always created because I enjoy it. While art can make one think I believe the main motivation should be the joy of creating. It has been said that Van Gogh suffered for his art. Perhaps his suffering was actually eased by it. I believe the arts ease ours.