South Texas Living Article – 2005

Captivating, Moody, Serene, and Surreal
Artist of the Month:  Larry Felder
By:  Karen Kastner

Oil paintings of the South Texas Coast - first in his imagination, then on canvas - is what Larry Felder is all about.  He has become known for his work of local harbors, old boats, and their reflections on water. 

Felder Gallery is located in Port Aransas right under the water tower on Hwy 361 a quarter mile south of Ave G.  Flanking the walls are his beautiful creations, many depicting the old wooden boats of the area that are disappearing due to age.  One of Felder’s trademarks is his remarkable talent to paint the reflections of water that captivates the spectator.

As early as the third grade, Felder knew he loved art; his teacher was an art major, emphasized it, and taught him painting with a layered effect.  His family vacationed in Port Aransas and he began drawing and painting coastal images when he was only ten years old.  His high school years were spent learning visual art skills and architecture – shadows, reflections, and perspectives.  “I can look at something and draw it with pretty good accuracy,” he added. 

After two years of studying at the San Antonio College, he packed his bags for California to work in his cousin’s architectural firm.  Soon after, he returned to study painting and fine arts at the University of Texas in Austin; and in the summer of 1968, while working at Hemisfair in his hometown of San Antonio, Felder met his wife, Linda, who was also employed there.      

 
With a background in architecture, especially graphic design, Felder chose working as a creative director in advertising and publishing for some twenty-five years.  His family and his work left him no time to paint during these years; however, he commented, “I was a mentor and teacher for a number of wonderful art directors and designers who won many awards - and I loved that.”  

“I got a lot better as an artist when I did not paint; my paintings were in my head,” he smiled, adding that he had taken a multitude of photographs over the years.  Upon retiring and settling in the South Texas Coastal area three years ago, Felder began painting again and loving every minute of it.  When he completes a painting, he gazes at it for days, corrects colors or textures in what he does not like; when he can’t find anything wrong with it, he calls it complete. 

“Five Boats” was his first painting in retirement.  Details have become much stronger since living in the area, and he uses his personal photos only as a starting point for each creation.  “I enjoy my work – and then I let it go,” he stated of his many canvases in his gallery.  And what gives Felder pleasure is creating a piece of mesmerizing artwork that someone can love for years to come.

Felder’s style has developed over time.  He looked for uniqueness in his paintings and found it in his detailed, yet simple technique.  Recently, he began what he calls his second style - “coastal icons.”  A total diversion from his harbor scenes, he paints very large, colorful, and bright canvases that can fill the high walls in the coastal–style homes of the South Texas area.  Two of these fun paintings that touch on a bit of area history on display are of Sharkeys and Flemings Fish Bait Stand.

Larry and Linda, who manages the daily operations of the Felder Gallery, have three children.  Robby lives in Redondo Beach, California; Claire in St. Petersburg, Florida; and John Paul in Aransas Pass.