Otis Lael

(1929-2005)

Otis Lael (1929-2005) — Pine River, MN

Otis began making fish spearing decoys in the early sixties for his son and friends to use. He didn't carve from that time until the early seventies when his sisters in Washington State encouraged him to make some decoys and other folk-art pieces. Otis carved purely from imagination and did not try to emulate certain fish species. His carvings were primitive with a good dose of whimsical humor usually present. He also made other interesting folk art carvings including pull toys, Santas, birds, frogs, and other imaginative critters.

 He regularly attended local carving shows, and the "Gathering" each year in Perham Minnesota. The National Fish Decoy Association awarded Otis the Living Legend Award in 2001 and Folk Art Carver of the Year in 2003. He was a lifetime member of the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Disabled American Veterans, the Air Force Sgts. Assoc., the MN Dark House Assoc., and the National Fish Decoy Assoc.

Learn more about Otis at www.otislael.com.