With
many years as California natives, Larry and his wife Jackie,
who does the promotion of Larry's art and is instrumental
to his success, recently moved to Diamond Valley, Utah, just
north of St. George. The beautiful landscapes of Utah, along
with its dramatic history and proud people will add much to
Larry's already successful art career. With God's help, Utah
will be the beginning of some of Larry's best and creative
work. Construction has begun on the Utah studio and new originals
will soon be appearing.
While
in California, Jackie and Larry founded the highly successful
and nationally recognized Cattlemen's Western Art Show, which
is held each April in Paso Robles, California at the Mid-
State Fairgrounds. With 16 successful years to its credit,
the show continues to draw some of the most talented western
artists available. Each show has also given opportunity to
one artist who has the talent, but has not had the chance
to display that talent, to a large audience. Jackie and Larry
have been blessed by God and are grateful to be able to "pay
it forward" in this small way.
After
four years in the U.S. Navy, Larry studied at the Art Center
College of Design. In 1980, after many years as a successful
aerospace and free-lance artist\illustrator, he turned his
talents to his main interest, Western Fine Art. Working in
pencil on Mylar, he brings a depth and reality to the subjects
he portrays. Whether a Mountain Man, Native American, Cowboy,
Pioneer, Child or Animal, their eyes will tell their story
as Larry's pencil brings out all the pride, dedication, courage
and honor of these remarkable individuals. While pencil is
his main medium, Larry's oil paintings have been receiving
outstanding acceptance among his buyers.
Larry
is one of the very few artists selected by Michael Wayne,
his lifelong best friend, to design the world famous logo
for the John Wayne Cancer Institute. This logo is one of his
proudest accomplishments. Larry was also commissioned by Mr.
Wayne to do portraits for two video covers, one of John Wayne
as "Hondo" and the other of Maureen O'Hara and John Wayne
from "McLintock!" This limited edition set "On location with
the Duke" comes in a slipcover, with another of Larry's John
Wayne commissioned portraits on it. Larry also utilized the
paintings of his good friend Russ Vickers (who was one of
the best Western Artists around) in designing the titles with
his friend Art Shinbo, for the John Wayne motion picture "Chisum".
Along
with producing art for commissions and the various art shows
he participates in, other successful projects this Utah artist
was commissioned to do were three commemorative collectors
envelopes and limited edition prints for the post office depicting
"Buffalo Soldiers", Legends of the West", and "James Dean".
The
San Luis Obispo County Sheriff's Department commissioned Larry
to do a commemorative drawing of two sheriffs (early and modern
day) with their new sheriff badge featured. This drawing went
into print to raise money for the sheriff's department.
With
Larry doing the art and Jackie promoting the work, shooting
photos for possible future projects plus scheduling the shows
to participate in, you will be seeing much of this talented
team as they move ahead from their new home in the awe inspiring
and breathtakingly beautiful state of Utah.
For
further information contact Jackie Bees: rafterjl@infowest.com
