Larry Dyke’s beautiful landscapes have impressed art lovers for more than three decades. But you won’t find Dyke’s paintings only hanging on the walls of your average suburban home. Throughout his 33-year career, Dyke has presented paintings to U.S. presidents, Pope John Paul II and several luminaries.

He is one of the most renowned landscape artists in the country and his works have hung in the White House, in the Vatican and in the home of Billy Graham.

Dyke, who lives in Friendswood, will be making a rare appearance June 27 at Sallie Fisher’s Custom Frame and Art Gallery from 1 to 4 p.m.

He began his professional career in 1976 after a scrapping a “tough” career in teaching.

“I was a teacher for 10 years and God was very gracious, through many closed doors, in an amazing way led me into the art,” he said.

His faith is evident in his paintings, where he “captures not only the physical beauty of the great outdoors, but also the spiritual sense of perfection he views as the handiwork of God’s creation,” his biography states.

One of the milestones of Dyke’s career occurred in 1983 when his publisher arranged a meeting with Pope John Paul II, to whom Dyke gave an original painting.

“It was surreal,” Dyke said. “It was in his private corridors. He was an amazing guy.”

The walls of the Pope’s home featured some of the world’s most renowned artists.

“Everywhere you looked was incredible artwork,” Dyke said. “On ceilings there were Rafael’s like we would have wallpaper.”

It was around that same time that Dyke was invited to meet President Gerald Ford at the Oval Office in the White House, and later Ronald Reagan.

“I gave him a print right before he (Reagan) became president,” Dyke said. “He’s one of those people where what you see is what you get. There was nothing phony about him. He was as real as he could be.”

Dyke said “90 percent” of his works are landscapes.

“I’ve always loved the outdoors,” he said. “I love trees and water. I grew up in the panhandle and water is a sight to behold. I just loved the beauty and that’s what I’d rather do than anything else.”

Dyke grew up in Borger and moved with his wife, Martha, to Friendswood in 1963. They were married for 43 years before she passed away three years ago. Dyke continues to memorialize her with each painting, marking each work with an “M” and circling it.

He also marks each piece with a scripture.

“I try never to repeat the same scripture,” he said, “most of the time they have a different scripture, mostly Psalms. It’s a more poetic language.”

Sallie Fisher’s Art Gallery is located at 104 Commerce Street in Tomball. For more information, call 281-351-5535.

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