Tessie’s Secret Cove | Tahoe City, CA 2026
19’ X 18’

Ever seen her?

This mural captures a quiet, magical sunrise moment between a mother bear, her two cubs, and Tahoe’s legendary lake creature — Tahoe Tessie.

I recently completed this piece at Tahoe Lake Elementary in Tahoe City, right on the shores of North Lake Tahoe. It was so much fun to paint while students watched, asked questions, shared ideas, and followed the progress all the way up to their last day of school.

A few weeks before painting, I had the opportunity to meet with students and hear what they love most about Tahoe, what excites their imaginations, and what makes this place feel special to them. Their ideas helped guide the artwork — from the bears and the cove to Tessie herself.

This piece is a little time capsule of Tahoe folklore, student imagination, and the natural beauty of the lake. I’m so grateful I got to turn their creative visions into a story that will live at the school for years to come.