Nerd Louisville Podcast

Episode 19 – Larry Elmore (Part 3)

Episode 19 – Larry Elmore (Part 3)

Nerd Louisville sat down with legendary fantasy artist, Larry Elmore, for the podcast. We visited him at his home and studio in Leitchfield, KY. Larry was born in Louisville and holds a very special place in many nerds’ hearts for his evocative and immersive fantasy paintings. Larry is an incredibly gracious and kind host. He’s also a natural storyteller. Joe and I chatted with him for close to two hours, so we decided it’d be best to break this interview up into three parts. For the best art and art business related information view more here.

Larry Elmore
Larry Elmore in his home studio in Leitchfield, Ky.

Part One chronicles Larry’s upbringing and beginnings as a fantasy artist. We end right as Larry is hired to TSR, the company that created the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game.

In Party Two, Larry tells us about his time at TSR and working to become one of the best-known fantasy artists in the industry. He also tells us about freelancing, the physical toll it took on him, and his obsession with art.

In Part Three, Larry explains how he figured out the trick to freelancing, his success with Kickstarter, and new project he has in the pipe.

We hope you enjoy!

Part III Highlights:

  • Figuring out how to freelance without killing yourself
  • Digital tools for art and continuing to paint
  • Collecting original works
  • The evolution of Larry’s process for art
  • Paiting at 100% instead of 70% and changing up style, experimenting
  • SnarfQuest and “bigfoot” comics
  • Self-publishing on Kickstarter and surpassing all expectations
  • What’s “making it”?
  • Nomination for HUGO Award
  • Larry’s wife unfriending him on Facebook
  • Keith Parkison and working together to get better
  • Movies & CGI versus traditional art
  • Breaking the traditional rules of cover art
  • Earning your way up in D&D and the first Dragon Larry encountered in the game
  • Inspiration for Joe’s favorite painting
  • Larry’s website redesign and selling art online
  • Mortality and painting
  • Why Larry draws women more than men?
  • A special new project where Larry wants to impact wisdom called Places of Power
  • Writing more and publishing a book of stories

You can find some of Larry Elmore art at www.larryelmore.com.

The Crew:

  • Mike Pfaff
  • Joe Dunman

Intro / Outro music is The White of Noon by STRFKR, graciously provided by Polyvinyl Records.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 56:08 — )

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Mike Pfaff

Mike is the co-founder of Nerd Louisville and still volunteers from time-to-time. He's been a nerd since he was first introduced to Dungeons & Dragons when he was a wee lad and continues playing to this day. You can play games with him at Slur Your Role or other Nerd Louisville events.