Toddler artist approached by local, national TV talk shows

LAKE TAHOE - A 3-year-old South Lake Tahoe boy whose paintings sold on eBay may make the television circuit.

Noah Lyle, son of Tony and Eunie Lyle, was approached last week by "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" to possibly make an appearance. The show's publicist confirmed the inquiry on Monday and added Noah's not booked yet.

A 3- to 5-minute segment has been reserved for him to paint on the air at 7:45 a.m. Thursday on the Resort Sports Network's Tahoe Today on Charter Cable Channel 12. On the North Shore, Charter comes in on Channel 14.

"We do focus on outdoor activities, but we do like to interview people in the community," said Tony Sunzeri, RSN Sales Manager. "Kids on television are fantastic - it should be colorful and exciting."

Noah paints often. He sold a collection of six pieces of work on eBay for $13.50.

According to the online service, the buyer from England wishes to remain anonymous. But comments on Noah's work were registered with eBay.

"Hi Noah - I really like your work. It's very emotional and just speaks to me. Wow, you are famous," one art buyer wrote. Other writers congratulated him for being featured on Web sites with unique auction items, such as www.bayzarre.com.

Noah's mother, Eunie, wants to keep her son's upbringing in perspective, so the newfound fame doesn't go to his head.

"It's all sort of fun, you know. With so (many) bad things going on, it's something that is funny and light. He's a happy kid," the former art teacher said Monday.

It appears her son is knowledgeable and well-traveled, too. Along with going to his uncle's wedding in Vietnam, his childhood has included a visit to Italy, where he enjoyed the cuisine.

"He's hung out with famous chefs," she said.