You may have seen him at Lily Lake this summer or fall, or somewhere else outside painting, aka plein air, at Lake Tahoe.

Meet Larry Kendall, South Lake Tahoe plein air artist and wood carver.

The oldest of eight children, Larry Kendall was born Laurence De Wayne Kendall on May 27, 1940 in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

Uncle Sam saw to it that he got to see the whole world during his 9 years of army service for his country.

Larry started wood carving in 1997, primarily wildlife (bears, wolves, deer, rhinos, etc.) that are truly one-of-a-kind.  To date, Larry has completed over 800 carvings with an average size of 5 to 6 inches, many which have been sold to collectors around the globe.

In April 2000, Larry started to learn to paint. His goal wasn’t to be a painter.  It was to be able to record his carvings by painting them.   Larry muses, “Funny thing; I haven’t actually painted one of my carvings.” His paintings are mostly landscapes and animals. Much to his surprise but not others, the public loves his paintings, and his first painting sold was “Canadian Honker”. Larry has participated in 35 art shows and has about 60 paintings in private collections. His first juried art show was the Mother Lode 35th International Exhibition held in Placerville, California in 1997.

He finds painting to be relaxing and allows one the freedom to express one’s feelings. “It matters not what another sees or thinks, it is how the artist sees and expresses it,” states Kendall.

As part of his devotion to art, Larry always gives back to his community, South Lake Tahoe, especially to the schools. He has donated his time at the Sierra House school teaching students the art of wood carving, and even sandblasted the etching of the South Lake Tahoe Middle School logo mirror (Timber Wolves) that currently graces the school office.

Although Larry has never been to art school, he has spent time at the Lake Tahoe Community College with instructor Dave Russo aiding students with art projects.  His only instructions have come from Russo who Larry attributes his art career.

Kendall is a member of the Tahoe Art League in South Lake Tahoe, and can be found plein air or out & about searching for his next model or subject.

Cheers Larry!