Jean Larson

“My paintings might be considered representational in as much as they depict elements of nature such as foliage, landscapes and flowers, but they are not necessarily flowers in a traditional sense. I am primarily interested in the emotions that are evoked by the wonderful interplay between light and color that is an essential feature of the places in which I now live. On a number of occasions I have observed the deep emotional response people have felt when first encountering the paintings. This has been particularly gratifying as I firmly believe that the value of my work is not in what can be said about it, but rather in how it can be experienced.

A flower opens to the light, boldly displays its colors to the world, and then withers away. These are the stages of life I witness and experience, each with its own beauty and wisdom. I have learned much from flowers.” Jean Larson

A native of Northern Michigan, Jean Larson was born in Ishpeming, a small mining town in the Upper Peninsula, in 1955. Eventually moving to Traverse City in her early years, she grew up on the shores of Lake Michigan. Well before her teens painting became an important element in her life, directly influenced by the natural environment surrounding her. After graduating from high school, studying fine art at college was an obvious choice and it was here that her commitment to a life as a painter was confirmed. Demand for Jean's work led to her setting up a small studio in Traverse City in which she painted and exhibited her work.

While Northern Michigan has always provided an important inspiration for her painting, it became clear to Jean that she needed to broaden her exposure to the art world. This led to her moving to Boston in 1984. The move eventually proved to be an enormous boost to her career.

Within the next five years Jean's work began to gain recognition within the United States and abroad. She is now represented internationally. Furthermore, 1992 saw another turning point in Jean's life when she left the USA to travel in Europe, eventually settling in a small village in Southern France. She now divides her time between rural France, which provides much of the inspiration for her recent work, and various parts of the United States.

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