An Interview with Rolf Lygren
- An Interview with Rolf Lygren
Rolf Lygren has been a local artist of California’s Central Coast for the past twelve years, working primarily from his studio in Carmel Valley. He finds that the Central Coast region and the Monterey Coast provide a rich and stimulating environment for the development of his work. He has taught watercolor workshops in the area and has had solo and group exhibitions in Central California. Prior to receiving a Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in Art from the University of California, Santa Cruz, Rolf was a historical restoration specialist, a furniture maker, and a homebuilder. Work on an adobe restoration brought him to Monterey in 1980. His landscapes “Steinbeck Country” bring to life Steinbeck’s descriptions from The Pastures of Heaven, and his work “Modern Steinbeck” uses vibrant colors for emotional effect. For his recent work “Farmworkers,” he has found the study of Latino field workers in nearby Salinas Valley, and the depiction of their shared and individual work experiences, to be an especially intriguing subject. Rolf aims to use a sense of light and color to build atmosphere and intensity. Applying these techniques, his painting works to create a harmony and balance of subject material.
We missed the opportunity to meet Rolf as he was unable to attend the Steinbeck Conference held at San Jose State University this past May. However, and fortunately for us, he recently took time out of his week to answer a few questions about his work and background.
When did you start to draw?
I started drawing and painting when I was a teenager. My grandmother and mother did some painting, I gave it a try myself and I liked it. I have a few pieces by them that I have kept for inspiration and for personal value. [End Page 73]
What were your subjects back then?
Mostly seascapes and landscapes. We would come to the Monterey Peninsula, to a campground in Pacific Grove, and we would visit Carmel to see the art galleries. We loved the Peter Cost seascapes from the 1960’s. The galleries in Carmel were my first introduction to painting by professional artists. Fisherman’s Wharf and Cannery Row were also favorite places to go. I had no idea back then that these early trips would become the backbone of my subjects in the future.
What event or series of events brought you to painting?
In 1985, I had just been married and was working on building a large home for a client in Carmel Valley. Back at work after returning from our honeymoon, I fell from the second story of the home I was building. I broke my back and spent two months in the hospital. During my rehab I had to rebuild where I was going in my life. I could never go back to the same work again. The pain from the injury was awful but I chose, and still choose, not to use pain meds. I needed something different in my life to be able to focus, to forget about the pain. I chose art to rebuild my life. I enrolled in UC Santa Cruz to complete my BA as an Art Major.
Completing my degree was not an easy process. Sitting was incredibly difficult for me. And of course, I had to sit for the commute from Monterey to UCSC and for the lecture classes. I found another student who was doing the same commute. He did the driving and I reclined in the passenger seat. For my time in class I used a beach reclining seat so I wouldn’t be stuck sitting upright at a desk. The funny part of this story is that the younger students at UCSC thought that I was cool for being so relaxed as to bring a beach chair to class. I never said a word about why I was doing it that way.
Who is your favorite artist? Which artist inspired you?
Lots of favorites, Wayne Thiebaud, Richard Diebenkorn, Mark Adams, Joseph Zbukvic, Donald Teague. If I had to pick one today...
