Larry Whatley was born and raised in Colorado. He studied watercolor at the age of 13 under internationally known watercolor artist Arthur J. Merrill. He moved to the San Joaquin Valley in the early 1970’s. He taught Introduction to Drawing at Merced Community College for 10 years and has exhibited all over the world and in the U. S. In his list recent local competition he was awarded Best of Show.

An extremely versatile fine artist, Whatley’s work ranges from brightly colored serigraphs, printmaking, works inspired by Op Art, figure studies; bold abstract compositions, sculpture and traditional landscapes.

The more recent traditional works of Whatley’s interest are of subjects that have historical significance especially architectures and the effect of light on objects. This is evident in his paintings of Taos, New Mexico and Bodie, California.

The Bodie paintings and drawings, predominantly watercolors, were begun after visiting the ghost town in the early 1970’s.