'Washington Island Collection' featured at White Pine gallery By Lee Lawrenz For The News-Chronicle A collection of works by one of Door County's finest artists will go on display later this month at White Pine Antiques and Folk Art Gallery, Algoma. The exhibit is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, said White Pine Antiques and Art Gallery owners Jeannette and Dale Winkler. "The Washington Island Collection," by Edward "Rainbow" Larson, opens Saturday, June 21. According to Dale Winkler, Larson used to be a commercial artist who worked for Hasbro, Mattel and Ideal toy companies, designing toys and games. He had a hand in designing "Twister," "Mousetrap," "Avalanche," and "Mosquito." "He loved bright colors and designing whirligigs with a lot of mechanical movements. When he felt some of his ideas were squelched, he went out on his own," Winkler said of the internationally recognized and published artist, who recently sold his home on Washington Island. White Pine Antiques and Folk Art Gallery will be exhibiting Ed's entire Washington Island collection, which includes his creative island furniture, sculpture, wind toys, paintings, original quilt designs, block prints, sketch books and sketches, signs, self-portraits, artist proofs and rare early pieces from his portfolio, as well as pieces from his personal collection by artists who include Jimmy Lee Sudduth, Jeff Krueger, Dennis Necvatal and more. Larson's picture quilts have been displayed in the Smithsonian Institution, Winkler said. His originals will be displayed at White Pine Antiques. Winkler said Larson has devoted his life to folk art. As a boy, he was intrigued by colorful whirligigs and wind toys that were a part of everyday American environments. These images always intrigued him and have remained a constant in his creations, throughout his entire career. His personality, dreams, fascinations and political interests are communicated through his art, Winkler said. This is true of many artists, he added, but Larson's strong, honest and forthright artistic presentations stand alone and are truly a collaboration of his personality, talents, feelings and beliefs, along with his heart. "I am a learned artist yet I paint as a primitive innocent," Larson has said. "I have purposely trained myself to paint as a primitive, because I am at one with the unaffected, the direct, the forthrightness of the naive folk artist. The recognizable images, their placement and size relationship are so appealing to me. I know my choice is to seek their innocence. Distended perspective literally intrigues me to study to see from their genius; how I can present places, experiences and statements with the same power. It is a difficult position to explain. I recognize the dichotomy, but my heart feels the innocence. Therefore, I am an innocent." White Pine Antiques and Art Gallery is located at 720 Third Street, Algoma. "The Washington Island Collection" by Edward "Rainbow" Larson, will open with a reception Saturday, June 21, from 4-8 p.m. Photo contributed SHOWN ARE SAMPLES of the "Washington Island Collection," by Edward "Rainbow" Larson, which will be featured at White Pine Antiques, beginning June 21.