The Painting Perceptions blog was started in early 2009 by Larry Groff to explore contemporary, modernistic observational painting. Over time the blog became a way for painters to present their work, share their experiences and discuss their ideas through the interview format. The many interviews on this site examines widely different painters, ranging from well-known painters showing in leading galleries to emerging artists just getting started in their careers. Originally, this site emphasized art-making that had some connection to observation but over time the blog grew to become more inclusive; as much about “perceptions on painting” as it was about “perceptual painting”. We examine a wide range of stylistic approaches in painting from extremely loose abstraction to precise realism and everything in between.
Editor and Owner
Larry Groff email: larry@paintingperceptions.com
Larry Groff is a San Diego based painter, previously from Boston, Ma. Mr. Groff attended the Massachusetts College of Art with a B.F.A. in Painting in 1988. He attended the Yale University Summer School of Art and Music in 1986, Boston University where he received a M.F.A.in 1993.
He is currently represented in San Diego by the Santa Ysabel Art gallery and is a member of the Prince Street Gallery in NYC. See his website, larrygroff.com for a more detailed bio and CV.
Statement from the owner
In the many interviews on this site we often ask painters variations of similar questions such as; “Where did you come from”, “Who has been most influential to your work” “How did you make this”, “What’s important to you”… to peek into painter’s working methods, observations and ideas about art that may help other painters and to pass on the continuum of knowledge about painting practise as well as the visual poetics of art. Our hope is that these interviews will stimulate conversations about contemporary, modernistic observational painting and to pass on valuable information to the many painters around the world who aren’t necessarily connected to an art school or center. Too many representational and abstract painters paint in obscurity not due to any lack of ambition, talent or vision but because of an artworld that is more interested in fashion and fame than vision and poetics. Painting Perceptions provides a platform to showcase work and thoughts from both the known and unknown.
We encourage painters and art writers and lovers to submit articles, reviews, interviews and whatever else may be of relevant interest. The more people participate with comments and guest posts, this site will continue to evolve into an increasingly useful resource and community for painters.
A word of thanks
I would like to thank the generous contributors to Painting Perceptions, especially Elana Hagler in particular, as she has written many great interviews and essays for Painting Perceptions, helping this site grow from the beginning. I’d also like to thank our many past contributors; Tina Engels, John Goodrich, Xico Greenwald, Neil Plotkin and Thaddeus Radell, all terrific painters and writers who have shared many great interviews, reviews, articles, and information which has helped this site become a valuable resource and destination for painters around the world.
Additionally, I want to express my gratitude to the many people for their generous donations which has helped keep this site alive for the past 11 years.
Painting Perceptions was started in 2009 by Larry Groff to promote the ideas, practice and experience of painters working from observation in a modernist vein from around the world through interviews, essays, videos and community. It later evolved to include imagination-based and abstract painting as well.