Larry Stuart

Meet the artist: Larry Stuart who is currently showing at Ladysmith Gallery along with over 40 other artists for the 'Anything From the Sea' exhibition. Read our Q&A with Larry and view his work at 📍Unit 7 - 32 High St. Downtown Ladysmith, open 9:30 AM - 5 PM daily until June 25.

Larry Stuart at home in his studio

"My favourite art supply is oil paint because without it I could not create my seascapes, landscapes."

What does creativity mean to you?Creativity is the “ be  all to end all “ - I have had many people say “ why do you continue to paint when you have paintings leaning against a wall - they don’t get it - it’ s a part of me like living and breathing . I cannot shut off my eyes, my emotions - I can see relationships between shadows on pebbles , the smallest things cause me to create.

What advice would you give an emerging artist? My advice would be to be to create what you want to create  and don’t worry about what will sell - you have to satisfy your inner creative desires

Where do you find inspiration? I find inspiration in everything - pebbles on the beach, the waves  in the ocean , shadows in the forest - everywhere. I see hundreds of things everyday which inspire me and give me ideas for the next painting .

Describe how art is important to society? Art is the soul of the artist which he puts out there to challenge the general public to pay attention and see what he / she sees and perhaps why they create

What is a dream you would like to become a reality? My dream would be to get everyone to really appreciate the arts - artists see what the general public does not see

Who are your biggest artistic influences? My biggest influences range from the masters like  Da Vinci , Rembrandt to the impressionists, to some modern day artists who challenge me as well

Give us a fun fact about yourself: I also enjoy gardening and many who have come into my yard and space who don’t know me say that an artist must have created it because of the way I plant many plants creating juxtapositions between different plant forms and textures.