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Name: Larkin
Place of birth: Syracuse, NY, USA
Black Cat aka Didi: Who are you Larkin?
Larkin: I’m a mad shadow dweller in a vile modern dystopia. I seek the darkest secret of the human soul and lay bare its terrible beauty. I can’t quite grasp the joke that holds the universe together, but I find myself laughing anyway.
B.C.: What is your most defining characteristic?
Larkin: As an artist? I have a deep love for the natural world, which I filter through dreams and nightmares. My interests and inspirations include the prehistoric world with its transition from domination to extinction and finally into stone for all to see. I love life in full bloom and I’m fascinated by its decay into death. Some of my friends over the years have included rabbits and snakes, which have been great art models. I enjoy portraying the human face and figure sometimes. Ancient and modern mythology also feature symbolically in my work sometimes, that’s pretty dark stuff.
B.C.: You create also the frame of your paintings. Which materials do you use for them? and is there a particular meaning about this choice?
Larkin: For the frames I crochet a mix of reclaimed fabrics, macramé cord, plastic and filaments into an organic looking rope or a baroque style border. I embellish them with small sculpture, textures and metallic dry brush techniques.
I really like the wild yet formal appearance of this choice, each frame is an original like the painting it encompasses.
B.C.: Let's talk about your most recent work…
Larkin: Usually for the past few years I have been working in an oval format in acrylics. Most of my more recent work is monochrome, inspired by Victorian photography but sometimes I like to go full color in a piece. The subject matter can be dark and whimsical at the same time. It’s often surreal and macabre.
B.C.: What do you hope the viewer will take away from your paintings?
Larkin: Depending upon the painting, either a dark sense of humor or an appreciation for the beauty in joy and suffering alike. Hopefully some sense of the symbolism incorporated therein as well.
B.C.: What are your plans for the future? Where we will see your art?
Larkin: This month Bambix, a punk trio from Holland and my favorite band, releases their new album “the Storytailor” featuring my artwork on their cover. I also will be featured in group shows Los Angeles, San francisco, New York and Chicago. New shows are coming up all the time, so feel free to check the journal on my DeviantArt page for specifics and updates.
B.C.: Thanks Larkin for your participation to the xLegion project, good work!
Larkin: My pleasure, thanks for having me! It’s a pleasure to speak with you and to be featured in XLegion.
