Artist Dean Larson returns to Palmer to teach workshops

Fine arts coordinator of the 2011 Machetanz Art Festival at Mat-Su College Suzanne Bach interviewed visiting artist Dean M. Larson, a professor at San Francisco’s Academy of Art University, who grew up in Palmer and returns to teach workshops for the college. His accomplishments include inclusion in the American Artist Magazine and writing ”Studying with the Masters” and other art books.

BACH: How does it feel to return to your hometown of Palmer after your world travels of teaching and painting?

LARSON: It’s always a huge treat to return to Mat-Su College. I love the vibe here and the variety of faculty and students you meet. It’s always wonderful to see how Palmer has matured after being away for so long. When I was growing up here it was very much a young city and every one knew each other and many of the original colonists were vibrant and active in the community. The original pioneers are all but gone along with much of the farming.

BACH: What can you tell us about your new works at the John Pence Gallery in San Francisco ending June 3? Do you see your work changing or evolving?

LARSON: This is my largest solo show ever with 49 works. It began as 48, but then there was an opportunity to add another, so I told the owner it was good luck since I was from Alaska and Alaska is the 49th state, so we added another work! It has many cityscapes along with landscapes, interiors and still lifes. All the work in the show can be viewed online at johnpence.com.

BACH: What was it like to study under Fred Machetanz? How has he influenced your career?

LARSON: Many of the things Fred shared are things that I still teach today. I’m a firm believer that there’s no excuse for bad technique and both inspiration and intelligence are necessary in order to create a great work of art.

That is one of the guiding principles that Mr. Machetanz taught and used in his own work. Working with Fred was a continuation of the study of drawing and painting technique that Maxfield Parrish and others shared with him when he was a student.

As a city, Palmer was incredibly fortunate that Fred and Sara landed here when they could have chosen so many other places in Alaska. Workshops, such as the one coming up at Mat-Su College (the Machetanz Art Festival June 4), carries on their legacy that has enriched the community for many years, and is part of what makes the Valley such a special place.

BACH: What are your future goals and aspirations? What do you see as your next career move?

LARSON: My passion is to keep painting and hopefully produce works that connect with others. Besides painting I also teach two days a week at the Academy of Art University in San Francisco, where I reside. The academy has a summer program in Italy, so I’ll be headed there later in June to teach for a month. We’ll also be traveling around Italy some afterward before heading back to San Francisco.

Dean M. Larson also will teach a four-day workshop at Mat-Su College.

For future opportunities for visiting artists workshops, contact Suzanne Bach at sbach@matsu.alaska.edu or 745-9755. Registration for the Machetanz Art Festival online at matsu.alaska.edu or by contacting 745-9746.