Meet Brian Larkin

Today we’d like to introduce you to Brian Larkin.

Brian, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
A gallery director in Provincetown asked me to learn about the “white line” woodblock print some years ago… part of the Ptown heritage. I did, began making prints in the traditional style and at some point was asked to teach the method. I began teaching a cross-cultural course in the Provincetown Print about 16 years ago… included the history and development of the technique, along with the other historical figures who were in and about Provincetown in the early days (c. 1915)… including Eugene O Neill, Jack Reed, Jig Cook, Louise Bryant, Mabel Dodge and others.

While experimenting myself with the block print, I fell on a method to transfer the design to black paper…thus, the “black line print.” My research into those early days led me to a lost artist in Provincetown, one who had never been given credit for her work – Edith Wilkinson. There was a discovery of some of her work that “predates” the invention of the white line print and the traditional story of its invention by the famous artist, Bjorn J. Nordfeldt in 1915. I was a consultant on the HBO documentary “Packed in a Trunk: The Edith Wilkinson Story” and make a few cameo appearances in the film.

My theories about the origins of the Provincetown Print are controversial but they demand a fresh look at often mythologized art history. My “black line” prints are featured at Cortile Gallery in Provincetown, MA. My studio is in Providence, RI.

Has it been a smooth road?
… Fairly smooth… when the motion picture company came to town looking for Edith Wilkinson’s past… nobody had heard of her but once old pictures identified her and a connection with Blanche Lazzell the great practitioner of the while line, things started popping.

There was and still is to some extent, resistance to disturb the story of the invention in 1915 even though now there is proof of very accomplished white line work having been done before that date.

We’d love to hear more about your business.
Artist……… specialize in white and black line Provincetown Prints. While I have taught scores of students the black line style, I am one of the only, if not the only Provincetown artist who exhibits them professionally. They are collected widely.

Is our city a good place to do what you do?
In the summer months, Provincetown is a sort of an extension of Boston via the fast ferry etc. Many of my patrons visit the galleries and a substantial number have purchased my prints here.

Pricing:

• The prints at the gallery sell for between $400 and $2000.

Contact Info:

• Address: 49 Roslyn Ave Providence, RI 02908
• Website: brianlarkin.com and cortilegallery.com
• Phone: 508-487-4200
• Email: brianlarkin1@cox.net
• Facebook: Brian Larkin; Cortile Gallery