An encounter with Larry Norton Captivating art lovers with brushstrokes depicting nature.
L
arry Norton’s talent emerged very early, drawing compulsively from the age of 2. His grandmother was an amateur painter and always believed that one day he would paint full time. She gave him his first set of oil paints at the age of 10, encouraging what she perceived as an artistic destiny. After completing an agricultural degree in Australia, he decided to change direction and launched into a full-time painting career that has ultimately brought him to his studio and home base in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe. Larry’s work has been exhibited worldwide, with his journey beginning with a one man show in a gallery in New York, which in time led to another one man show in London, and subsequent exhibitions worldwide. Based in his native Zimbabwe, his work has been sought and commissioned by collectors over decades.
The inspiration behind the paintings
The key to his paintings is a hard-earned wealth of African experiences. Many gruelling field trips and expeditions have added authenticity to his pieces. These journeys have ranged from a year-long flight through 18 African Countries, with Bush pilot Tom Claytor, to a three-month descent of the Zambezi River. His work has helped to raise money for conservation and other charities throughout his career, as he works in a classical style that celebrates the myriad of details to be found in the surrounding bush. Working mostly in his favorite medium of oils on canvas, he also produces field studies in pencil and watercolors.
travelessencemag.com
| 85
