Vernon Kerr

Art Brokerage: Vernon Kerr American Artist: b. 1938-1982. Primarily a self-taught artist, Vernon Kerr displayed an early interest in and facility for art. He sold his first seascape for $50 at age 15. At that time, he proved to his parents that he was willing to pursue art at some length and inconvenience; traveling to private art lessons with Leon Franks in Hollywood, Vernon took three different bus routes, a two hour trip each way. His parents, in response, supported his interest and built him a small studio over their garage The burgeoning artist received more than familial recognition – at age seventeen, he was accepted as the youngest member of the Laguna Beach Art Association, joining the organization at the same time that the Southgate California Library gave him his first one-man show. Despite misgivings concerning his training, he was an excellent teacher, well-known for his seascapes, landscapes and still lifes. Many aspiring artists vouched for his ability, citing his enthusiasm, formidable teaching skills and brush technique. Vernon cited the early Japanese influence upon his work for the uniqueness of his imagery. “Oriental art is direct, clean and efficient. Their colors are pure. Their stoking is simple. I draw my paintings in an Oriental style that uses economy of strokes. Everything is planned in advance, not experimented with on canvas.” His work has a great deal of mass appeal, but Vernon was often the last to believe it. Print companies continued to take notice of his work. Listings wanted.