By Holli LeMarr
Staff Writer

What do an alley between apartment buildings, a row of vending machines and a funky doorway in Brooklyn have in common? Some would say these are ordinary and insignificant components in our world. But Avery Falkner, artist and professor of art at Pepperdine, uses these “little pockets of our environment” as the basis of his artwork. He believes that nothing is insignificant.

“I am interested in pointing to the mundane or unusual view of unexpected sites to hopefully transform the ordinary into extraordinary paintings,” Falkner said. “I’m interested in all the parts that make the whole and the underlying life force or energy spirit that makes painting work.”

Much of Falkner’s work is based on tangible subject matter in his surroundings, but underlying this is a composition of abstract ideas. He believes it is part of the artist’s calling to notice the little things in life.

“People see with their eyes to recognize things, but do they ever really probe the image and analyze it?” Falkner said. “My interest is finding stuff in the environment that could be presented more interestingly from an abstract point of view.” 

Falkner was born in Big Spring, Texas, in 1940. His love for art began as a young boy. He would often draw automotive designs and laughs now because many of the pictures he drew 50 years ago look similar to the vehicles manufactured today. He received his bachelor’s degree in art from Abilene Christian University in 1963.

“Encountering more progressive and innovative types of art really set me off to be excited about being creative and artistic personally,” Falkner said. “I get really excited about abstract expressionists.”

Among his favorite artists are Willem de Kooning, a Dutch-born leader in the abstract expressionist movement, and Richard Diebenkorn, an abstract expressionist from the Bay area.

Falkner received the Max Beckmann Memorial Scholarship, which allowed him to study at the Brooklyn Museum Art School in New York for postgraduate experience. In 1968 he received his M.A. in painting from California College of Arts and Crafts in Oakland.

Falkner began his 29-year career at Pepperdine in 1973. He teaches painting, drawing, watercolor and ceramics, but enjoys drawing and painting the most.

“Painting is my first love when it comes to medium and what I do primarily,” Falkner said. “It’s my language. It’s my work.”

When he’s not teaching, he can be found in his studio on the fourth floor of the Cultural Arts Center where he produces most of his artwork.

“Continuing to paint keeps me on that creative edge and makes me a better teacher,” Falkner said. “To be a painter is to be committed to a lifelong search for what is meaningful through this medium. It is a continuing, on-going process.”

Besides art, Falkner is intrigued by music, especially jazz. He played the drums in high school and enjoys improvising on the piano. He is also a member of the University Chorale, a choral group made up of Pepperdine faculty and staff. They perform for the community as a solo group and also with the concert choir. Their spring “Masterworks Concert” is April 16 at 7:30 p.m. in Smothers Theatre. Admission is free for students, faculty and staff and $10 for the public.

In his time away from the studio, Falkner enjoys golfing, watching the Lakers and traveling with his wife Pat. They are planning a trip to Prague in May. He has been blessed with three artistic children. His oldest son Jason is a recording artist and songwriter, his daughter Elizabeth is a pastry chef for her own restaurant in San Francisco and his youngest son Ryan is a storyboard artist with interests in professional acting.

Falkner has always encouraged his children to go after their dreams and is extremely proud of their artistic talents.

“If you’re bitten by the bug, you must succumb to the disease,” Falkner said. “I believe everyone should do what they are passionate about.”

March 28, 2002