Larry Meyers and his "Flock"Larry Meyers, Idaho-based sculptor and mixed media artist, is now represented by Spectrum Art and Jewelry. Humor has always been one of Larry's artistic muses. During a four year collaboration with another artist, their mission statement was “To create art with no message other than to amuse.” They aimed at creating pieces with a combination of conceptual strength, technical expertise and inventiveness. His most recent exploration combines lost foam aluminum casting with 1950's aluminum outboard motor cowlings. “The cowlings have an art deco look and I soon discovered pelicans lurking inside” said Meyers. His own love for fishing opened the door to these innovative works of art. He loves seeing peoples faces light up with childlike delight as they spot his pelicans for the first time.
"About eight years ago, I found some Vespa Scooter fenders that had a cool shape”, says Meyers. "I remember thinking, 'That would make a good bird.' Then I found some vintage outboard motor cowlings and it all just clicked." Larry uses vintage outboard motors as the bodies of his pelicans. The head and webbed feet are cast-aluminum. They are both witty and whimsy. "I'm lucky to have met many creative artists along the way who were willing to teach me," he says. "It has long been a dream of mine to be able to wake up each day and know exactly what I want to make and be able to make it."
Larry's experience as an artist has been one of generosity as well as creativity. Although busy creating both amazing and humorous sculptures, he has often found time to create important works for communities and art to donate for good causes . One of my personal favorites is the Barrett Admire Memorial Sculpture created for the playground of the Hemingway Elementary School in Ketchum. The sculpture was commissioned to commemorate the life of a boy who had attended the school. The boy had passed away a few years previous in a car accident. Meyer's said, "I was asked to do three things with this piece of art, to celebrate the life of a young man, to create healing, and to involve the community." The artist employed a group of fourth-graders from the school to create a mural. Meyers then reproduced the mural in bronze and cut it into sections which he wrapped around a 12-foot column. At the top of the column was a multicolored, open cockpit biplane, inside the cockpit was a steel reproduction of the young man's dog, Rosie.
Larry Meyer's has also created some pieces of spiritual significance. He was asked to create a mechanism for turning a Tibetan prayer wheel. "I ended up working closely with Lama Tenzin on his particular needs and desires for the project, eventually overseeing the architects, engineers and carpenters who were needed to install it and build a pagoda around the wheel. The wheel was made of copper, brightly painted and filled with over one million prayer scrolls with the sacred words 'Om Mani Padme Hum,' written on them. I had this in my garage for two weeks." The prayer wheel eventually became part of the 'Garden of Infinite Compassion', a rock garden and waterfall complex in Ketchum. The Garden of Infinite Compassion honors the Dalai Lama's visit to the Wood River Valley. During a private ceremony on September 13, 2005, the Dalai Lama consecrated and blessed the Tibetan Prayer Wheel. The 400 pound, hand carved Prayer Wheel is one of only two prayer wheels in North America blessed by His Holiness.
Larry has had an exciting life and art career. We are so thrilled to partner with him as he continues on his exciting artistic journey. We love these humorous and brilliant birds and we know you will too!
Taylor
