Biography of wildlife artist Larry Chandler

Photo courtesy of Birmingham News

"As a portrait painter, I learned the anatomy of human eyes and how to capture the mood and expression in them. Now, I can translate that knowledge to animals, both domestic and wild, to give them more life-like qualities." - Larry Chandler

Artist Larry Chandler was born in Alabama on June 25, 1951. He became interested in art at a very early age. His dad was a talented artist and helped inspire Larry to draw well before he started grade school. Frequent hunting trips with his dad and brother growing up exposed Larry to nature and all its wonders. While out in the field, Larry learned to pay close attention to his wildlife subjects - their detail, habits and surroundings. Most of Larry's early paintings were watercolors and pastels. Later, he was introduced to oils by a neighbor who also painted. This proved to be the medium he chose for his future artwork.

Although he always loved painting wildlife, much of Larry's early works were portraits of people. After seeing paintings of African game by his highly-regarded artist friend Michael Schreck, who had taken many photographs on a trip to Africa, Larry became reinspired to concentrate on wildlife. At that point in time, Larry could paint almost anything, but he found accurately depicting animals in their natural habitat to be the most challenging.

Larry began entering art competitions and painting covers for magazines in 1988. After earning top honors from judges in several competitions, he gained the courage to sell his successful sign company and go into art full time. He gained national attention when his design of Redheads was chosen as winner of the 1991-92 Alabama Duck Stamp Contest. He was commissioned to design 3 wildlife conservation stamps and prints for the State of Arkansas and designed others for Waterfowl USA and the Tennessee Valley Waterfowl Association. His Pintail design recently won the 2002-03 Alabama Duck Stamp Contest.

Larry has been National Artist of the Year for Ducks Unlimited (twice), Quail Unlimited, Waterfowl USA and his art hangs in the Smithsonian Institution. He has done artwork for The Franklin Mint, Lennox Co., The Hamilton Collection, SeaBrook Wallpaper Company, Spillsbury Puzzle Company, Ravensburger Puzzle Company, Manuel Wood Workers and Weavers, Goodwin Weavers, Fine Art Creations and Marathon Apparel to name a few. Larry painted a variety of subject matter, but his popular sporting dog portraits brought him the acclaim that earned him commissions in several fields of art. Sadly, Larry passed away March 17, 2007 due to complications from pneumonia. He was only 55 years old and is greatly missed by many.

Shown below are 3 of 5 State Duck Stamps Larry designed for Alabama and Arkansas.
(Click on any of the stamp designs to see much larger images with much more detail!)

Artist Larry Chandler's honors and awards

• 2005 Ivory-billed Woodpecker Conservation Stamp Print

• 2005 Arkansas Duck Stamp Print (with Ivory-billed Woodpecker added into the background later!)

• 2004 North Carolina Sportsman and Wildlife Art Show - Featured Artist

• Winter/Spring 2004 cover of Dogs Afield Magazine

• 2003 Southern Wildlife Festival, First Place - Fur

• 2003 NatureWorks Art Show and Sale Excellence Award

• 2003 Kentucky Ducks Unlimited Sponsor Print

• 2003 Alabama Ducks Unlimited Sponsor Print

• 2002 Southern Wildlife Festival, Tuck Stone Best of Show Award (Best Overall!)

• 2002 Southern Wildlife Festival, First Place - Fur

• 2002 Missouri Ducks Unlimited Sponsor Print

• 2002-2003 Kentucky Duck Stamp and Print (Commission)

• 2002-2003 Alabama Duck Stamp and Print (Contest winner)

• 2001 Oklahoma Ducks Unlimited Sponsor Print

• 2001-2002 Arkansas Turkey Stamp and Print (Commission)

• 2001 Florida Wildlife Expo, Best of Show - Miniatures

• 2001 Featured Artist, Tulsa Nature Works Show

• 2001 Missouri Ducks Unlimited Sponsor Print

• 2001 Alabama Ducks Unlimited Sponsor Print

• 2000-01 Arkansas Duck Stamp and Print (Commission)

• 2000-01 South Carolina Duck Stamp Contest, First Place Runner-Up

• 2000 Ducks Unlimited Great Outdoors Festival Artist in Oshkosh, Wisconsin

• 2000 Ducks Unlimited Great Outdoors Festival Artist in Memphis, Tennessee

• 2000 Southern Wildlife Festival, First Place - Fur

• 2000 Ducks Unlimited National Artist of the Year

• 2000 Featured Article in Canine Images Magazine

• 2000 Kansas City Art Fair, Best of Show - Child Portrait

• 2000 Tulsa's Nature Works, Show Print Artist

• 1999 Cover Artist for Pointing Dog Journal magazine (Nov./Dec.)

• 1999 Southern Wildlife Festival, People's Choice Award

• 1999 Southern Wildlife Festival, Best of Show

• 1999 Southern Wildlife Festival, First Place - Painting Fins & Fur

• 1999 Alabama Ducks Unlimited Sponsor Print

• 1998 Depot Days Art Festival, Best of Show

• 1998 Waterfowl U.S.A. Artist of the Year (Commission)

• 1998 Wildlife Art News Magazine Feature Article

• 1998 Southern Wildlife Festival, First Place - Painting Birds

• 1998 Southern Wildlife Festival, Best of Show

• 1998 NASS Nature Works, Best of Show

• 1998 National Wildlife Art Exhibition and Sale, Best of Show - Hunting Dogs

• 1998 Cover Artist for Retriever Journal magazine (June/July)

• 1998 Portrait of President Bill Clinton for Arkansas Fish & Game Commission

• 1997-98 Arkansas Duck Stamp and Print (Commission)

• 1997 NASS Nature Works, Excellence Award

• 1997 National Bird Dog Museum Artist of the Year

• 1997 NASS, Nature Works, Charles Ely's Choice Award

• 1996 OWASS, Nature Works, Best of Show

• 1996 Callaway Gardens Show, Artist's Choice Award

• 1995 National Wildlife Art Show, Best of Show - Dogs

• 1995 Quail Unlimited National Artist of the Year

• 1995 Ducks Unlimited National Artist of the Year

• 1995 Southern Wildlife Festival, First Place - Painting Fins & Fur

• 1993 Save the Eagle Project Print to fund five eagle conservation organizations

• 1991-92 Alabama Duck Stamp and Print (Contest winner)

• 1991 Alabama Wildlife Federation Artist of the Year

• 1991 North Carolina Sportmans Show, Best of Show

• 1991 Southern Wildlife Festival, First Place

• 1990 Southern Wildlife Festival, Best of Show

• 1990 Southern Wildlife Festival, First Place - Waterfowl

• 1990 Alabama Waterfowl Association Artist of the Year

• 1989 Decatur Art Guild Show, Best of Show

• 1988 Alabama Wildlife Federation Artist of the Year

• 1988 Southern Wildlife Festival, First Place - Birds of Prey

• 1988 Cover Artist for Fur-Fish-Game Magazine

Design created by: Award Winning Web Site Designs

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