Larry Grossman

Biography

Larry Grossman’s professional art career began at age 15, when he purchased his first airbrush and began hand painting T-shirts. Moving from L.A. to Berkeley in the late 60’s, he attended the California College of the Arts (CCA), where he studied filmaking and photography. After graduating with an MFA degree in Film and Photography, he returned to CCA for a brief stint to teach animation. During this period he produced two more short films, both of which won numerous film festival awards and were distributed nationally. In 1981 the Walt Disney Studios enticed Larry back to L.A. to work as a consultant/ designer on their landmark (first computerized) film, “TRON”. Freelancing in the 80’s, he produced many more illustrations for Disney, including posters for the animated feature films “Alladin” and “Aristocats”. Warner Bros. Studios and Dreamworks enlisted Larry to illustrate the logos for their collaborative, award winning animated TV shows “Tiny Toons”, “Animaniacs”, ”Pinky and the Brain” and “Freakazoid”. Meanwhile, Larry was hired by legendary musician Frank Zappa to design three album covers for him. He also created one for country music star Hank Williams Jr. Larry’s current work integrates many of his interests. His love of cars and hot rodding has endured since he was a teenager (his first car was a 1929 Ford hot rod), and he is once again doing design work for his very first employer, George Barris. He also recently created the poster for the 10th Annual Gilmore Heritage car show, held at the world famous Farmer's Market in L.A. Never without a camera, Larry has a huge catalog of photos he's taken over the years. At one time these photos served as reference for his illustrations, but now he is utilizing them in an entirely new way. The result is several series of unique, digitally collaged photographs. One series, entitled “The Movie Palace”, is a collection of images of vintage movie theaters, which Larry has digitally “transported” back in time to their Golden Age. Larry’s art and photography have been exhibited at gallery's nationwide, and many of his images are currently being published as signed, limited edition photo prints and Giclees, as well as posters and calendars.