Zabel was born in Deer Creek, Minnesota and as a boy spent his time drawing and carving. Today this well-known and well-respected artist lives and works on his ranch in McAllister, Montana, just 10 minutes from Ennis, and 70 miles from Yellowstone Park.

Zabel went to high school in southern California, and then studied art at several colleges, including the University of the Americas in Mexico City.   He finished college with a bachelor's degree from the University of California at Long Beach.

Larry began his career working in commercial art with the Douglas Aircraft Co. and then a few years later with the U.S. Navy.  In 1988, Larry and his wife Sharon moved to south western Montana.  "Montana has the things that I fantasize about ... cowboys, Indians, and grizzly bears," says Zabel.  At the beginning, Zabel focused on cowboy and Indian scenes, but several years ago he started to paint a wide variety of western Montana wildlife as well.

Larry Zabel also has donated many of his paintings to the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation conventions, where they have auctioned them off in order to raise money to continue to protect wildlife habitats.  Because of his generous contribution to this cause, the name Zabel has become associated with conservation.

Larry's work as an artist has earned him numerous awards and achievements including "Best Painting" at the Charlie Russell Auction Show and Artist of the year at the Southern Maryland Wildlife Festival.

Other Achievements and Awards Includes:

Fish, Wildlife, and Parks Centennial Artist 2001

"Peoples Choice Award" at the C.M. Russell Show, Great Falls, MT 1996,1998

Continued to hold record price for art sale, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Salt Lake City, UT 1997 Reno

In the "Top Ten most Popular Artists," Informart Magazine, January 1995

Feature Artist, St. Jude Children's Hospital Benefit Show, Las Vegas, NV 1994