For some, creating isn’t merely a hobby. There are those who bleed creativity - it courses through their veins and every fibre of their being.
Such is the case with Larry Reese, a 15 year resident of Half Moon Bay. Currently Reese is the Head of Performance for the Motion Picture Arts Program at Red DeerCollege, however his life’s work has been an intriguing journey through many creative waters.
This local artist is set to open his latest breath taking visual arts exhibition - The Eclectic Eccentric, on March 4 at 7 p.m with a wine and cheese reception at the Welikoklad Centre in downtown Red Deer, at which time a film he co-created alongside James Wilson, titled Mapping Creativity will also be played. Reese invites attendees to stop by the reception to view the collection before enjoying the film that will run in the theatre beside the gallery.
Eclectic Eccentric, which will be open for viewing on February 29 and run until March 6, is described by the RDC School of Creative Arts as a collection of illustrations, sketches, films and music adding that his landscape portraits are ‘abstractions, illuminations, and interpretations of all encompassing life’.
While most are only fortunate to be born with one of two creative bones in their body - it seems as if every fibre of Reese’s being contains a creative chord. He recalls his childhood, where he attended arts camps and lived but a few blocks from the symphony in Edmonton until he journeyed to Bangladesh with his family where he truly fell in love with music. Reese began secondary education in the music program at the University of Alberta and shortly after began writing music for plays.
It then dawned on him he had an interest to be on stage - he furthered his education with a Masters in Acting, thus his theatrical journey began. He spent a number of years in the theatre world - eventually garnishing an agent, which led to roles in big name films such as “Reverence”, starring and directed by Clint Eastwood as well as the role of the minister who marries Heath Ledger and Michelle Williams in ‘Brokeback Mountain’.
Prior to coming to becoming an instructor at RDC and a resident of Half Moon Bay, Reese and his wife Tanya Ryga, spent a number of years living in Mexico - this is where Reese came to know a well regarded German painter - in turn, re-sparking the love and talent for painting he has come to possess.
Reese also credits much of the skill he bolsters on canvas to the many wonderful instructors within the School of Creative Arts at RDC, adding he not only teaches atRDC, but he also continues to take classes. Reese said he refuses to stop learning.
This multi-talented musician, artist, actor and director boasts many artistic and creative talents - and yet, at the end of the day, Reese describes himself as a teacher above all else.
“Music informs theatre, theatre informs film, film informs the directing, directing informs the acting - I don’t think I have a particular label. What I am really is a teacher and all of these different outlets together feed my teaching,” said Reese.
Reese explained most of the pieces in his upcoming show will be larger works - he adds his intention while creating Eclectic Eccentric lay in craving feedback on his work.
“I want people to tell me what they think - good or bad. I think an artist constantly needs to believe in themselves and know why they are doing what they are doing,” said Reese. “I’m doing it because I want to share my work - you have to challenge yourself, you can’t play it safe all the time.”
“If an artist stops growing, stops exploring, stops challenging themselves - they stop being an artist.”
The Larry Reese Exhibition, The Eclectic Eccentric, opening reception will take place on March 4 at 7 p.m., downtown Red Deer at the Welikoklad Event Centre.
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