Scott Hull Associates

SHA’s Larry Moore was contacted by Sports and Arts to create a cityscape painting which would be displayed in restaurants and other public spaces associated with the new sports arena for the Orlando Magic. Adding texture and originality, the paintings were done on wooden boxes instead of canvas. These beautiful illustrations of Orlando’s downtown were so earnestly adored the client didn’t require a rough draft on the final pieces after viewing the first submitted sketch.

There are a lot of art books out there that are how-to’s – How to mix color, how to paint a face, dealing with composition and drawing, etc. But in the many, many paintings I’ve looked at over the years, my first thought is hardly ever, “How did the artist paint that?” Instead, I’m wondering, “Where did that come from?”

The new book Poster and Process is a response to that question. It features the poster series of more than 35 paintings I’ve created for the Orlando Opera, and showcases not just the work but the line of thought that led up to each piece, including sketches and studies. The work is narrative and conceptual, with each painting telling the story of a specific opera in a succinct yet compelling way. Each spread features a synopsis of a particular opera, all of the background work that led to the final painting, and the “Creative Insight” section where I explain how the idea evolved.

This body of work was an opportunity to do more narrative paintings in a collected way. I love editorial art for its ability to tell stories, and this relationship with the Orlando Opera offered a chance to create an ongoing series of them – each connected to an art form that is all about story and drama, along with the stage and music.

The featured paintings have been a commercial success as well. Richard Kessler, the prominent businessman who is the benefactor and proud owner of all the paintings, is a fan as well, and shows the art in the gallery of his hotel. They’ve actually become a trademark icon of the hotel’s brand. “Larry is a very talented artist,” Richard says. “We are pleased that our Grand Bohemian Hotel displays the Opera Collection so many people can enjoy.”

Poster versions of the paintings are also popular, says Robert Swedberg, the opera’s general director. When they are displayed around town, “They don’t stand a chance of staying up. People like them so much they tend to ‘disappear.’” Still, even if we’re not sure where these artworks are ending up, at least now you can see where they started.

11×14,72 pages, soft bound. Designed by Jeff Matz of Lure Design
$50 or $60 signed plus shipping.

Buy the book here: <http://www.posterandprocess.com>

http://scotthull.com/artists/moore/

SHA Artist/Illustrator: Larry Moore and Andrea Eberbach
Art /Design Director: Jay Jung
Project: Panera in store murals

Panera’s brand is focused around artisan breads with a lifestyle element. Within that perimeter, the art directors for the world famous company are trying to build a visual brand image, through illustration. They selected Larry Moore and Andrea Eberbach because of their contemporary styles. With each artist working on a separate project, Andrea’s illustrations were placed in west coast stores, Larry’s on the east coast.

Larry had this to say about working with Panera, “While Jay was very forthcoming about what he wanted, he was also very clear about what he didn’t want. He didn’t want people sitting around in a café eating. No clichés. He wanted something broader. Jay explained the visual he wanted, of two worlds connected by a baker and his peel (the long-handled bread spatula). The next part was easy.”

Larry’s work was geared more towards the European neighborhood feel (pictorial scenes), which was depicted through his plein air style. While Andrea’s illustrations were focused on stronger graphics and shapes. Her style represented the individual in daily life, enjoying the comfort of home, relationships, etc.

Jay Jung, Panera’s Vice President Design Creative, first worked with Andrea, Larry, and assorted other Scott Hull Associates artists a few years back when developing other artistic visuals for the eateries. Jay says, “In my past experience with these artists, knowing the strength and visual impact that both Andrea and Larry have given brands, I knew that with their artistic deftness combined, it would be an impactful and elevated look and feel. I knew the results would make Panera a stand-alone collector.”

The CEO of Panera fell in love with the paintings so much, that the original art is hanging in his personal office.

Larry Moore is the Orlando Opera’s silent partner, creating posters that visually sing.

The book, which features over 30 paintings created during a 10-year period (3 to 4 paints/posters per season), will be officially launched by end of this month. It is available to purchase through elmodraws@cfl.rr.com and through the Kessler Collection. Larry believes Kessler’s involvement adds value and provenance to the collection and also gives a greater value to the work. Larry’s long-term goal is to take the final book to publishers and get it printed for a much wider audience.

Larry explains his personal goals/passion/motivation in producing this book with the following, “The whole idea behind this book is to allow the reader into the mind of the artist. I’ve often looked at a painting and wondered where it came from, asked myself ‘Where did the idea originate?’, ‘Why that image with that palette and that arrangement?’ This book showcases not just the work but the line of thought that lead up to each piece, including sketches and studies. I’ve not seen anything like it and I think it will help people/artists in how they problem solve.”
This body of work for the opera was an opportunity to do more narrative (storytelling) paintings in a collected way. Larry loves editorial work for the narrative potential and this relationship with the Orlando Opera offered a chance to create an ongoing series; a collection of art that has the connecting theme of opera, a form of theater that is all about the story, the drama, the stage, and of course, the music. Larry’s paintings have become a trademark icon of hotel’s brand.

Larry’s benefactor and proud owner of all the paintings, prominent businessman and hotel owner Richard Kessler, has this to say about supporting Larry, “Larry is a very talented artist.  We are pleased that our Grand Bohemian Hotel displays the Opera Collection so many people can enjoy.”

The posters are hugely popular, says Robert Swedberg, the opera’s general director. When they are displayed around town, “They don’t stand a chance of staying up. People like them so much they tend to ‘disappear.’”

As reported in the Fall 2008 edition of FPO Magazine, Larry Moore was commissioned on a Thursday (for completion the following Monday) to create an illustration that depicted presidential hopeful John McCain’s marriage in a way that represented the considerable wealth and political influence of his wife’s family. After creation of a wordlist and thumbnail sketches, the art director and Larry isolated the bride’s bouquet – garnished with wads of cash – as a quick but subtle reference.

This illustration did the job nicely, meeting the tight timeline as well as Larry’s standing criteria for a successful illustration: “[It] gives an article a right brain balance to the left brain text, visually and quickly sums up the intent and content of the article, and helps set the tone of the writing.” Despite the success of the artwork, the magazine decided not to run it after all. We’re still not sure why.