Famous Mormon Artists

Famous Mormons

Famous Mormon Painters, Sculptors, Illustrators and Designers

	Michael Allred comic artist	"Zane" Michael Allred has done many things in life. So much, in fact, that some might call him a “Renaissance man”. A quick look at his resume reveals work as an artist, writer, film-maker, actor, musician, producer and publisher. With successful runs on Marvel’s X-Statix and X-Force, as well as his own titles Madman and The Atomics, Allred has established himself a place in comics with his timeless style and vibrant, kinetic energy. This fall it looks like he’s adding another occupation to his repertoire: missionary. Well, maybe that’s over-stepping, but not by much. The next project on the horizon for cartoonist Mike Allred is The Golden Plates: The Shape of All Things. It is an adaptation of The Book of Mormon, and is scheduled to begin coming out in October from his own AAA Pop Comics. Source: Chris Arrant from Newsarama.com	The Golden Plates Vol. 1, The Sword of Laban and the Tree of Life
Photo: Courtesy of the cowboy's family Earl Bascom (1906-1995)	Earl Bascom sculptor and professional cowboy	He was born in Utah and raised in Alberta. He started rodeo in 1916 at the age of ten. He was a champion in saddle bronco riding, bareback riding, bull riding and steer wrestling. In 1922 he invented the hornless bronco riding saddle. Two years later he invented the one-hand bareback rigging. He also invented the side-delivery rodeo chute. Upon retiring from rodeo, he became an accomplished cowboy sculptor. In 2000, he became the first Mormon inducted into the Cowboy Memorial Museum, located in Caliente California. Sources: Sports Academy Honors Mormon Cowboy, Mormon News, 18 Feb 2002 and Hall picks 'Mormon Cowboy', Deseret News 14 Oct 2000, P2	Earl Bascom Artist and sculptor Rodeo Innovations of Earl Bascom by John Bascom, About Inventors
Photo: Snow Goose Gallery	James Christensen illustrator	James Christensen's work has been commissioned by Omni magazine, Time/Life Books and numerous book publishers. His work has also appeared in the American Illustration Annual, Japan's Outstanding American Illustrators, and numerous gallery shows across the country. In 1990, he received the Association of Science-Fiction and Fantasy Artists' Chesley Award for "The Fish Walker." The World Science-Fiction Convention awarded him in 1991 a "Best in Show" for "Once Upon a Time," and then in 1992 a "Judges' Award" for "The Royal Processional." Jim recently retired as a full professor of art at Brigham Young University. James Christensen and his wife Carole make their home in Orem, Utah. Source: Swoyers Art	A Journey of the Imagination: The Art of James Christensen
	Richard Comely comic artist	Captain Canuck creator Captain Canuck was "born" in 1971 when art student Ron Leishman met Richard Comely. They soon became friends and both being artists, Ron suggested the idea of doing a Canadian superhero comic book series. There wasn't one at the time and Canada was experiencing some feelings of nationalism.	www.captaincanuck.com
	Brian Crane cartoonist	Brian Crane's daily comic strip "Pickles" was syndicated in April 1990 and the Sunday version was launched the following year. In 1995, PICKLES was nominated for "best comic strip of the year" by the National Cartoonists Society. In 2002, it was awarded the "best comic strip of 2001" by the society. It appears in over 300 newspapers around the world. Sources: Pickles Home Page and Learn more about him Earl and Opal are just like the people next door In fact, Earl and Opal Pickles would probably fit right in with 67 percent of the state's population. Apparently, the couple is Mormon.
Photo: One Stroke.com	Donna Dewberry painter	She is a self-taught artist from Florida. She is recognized throughout America, Europe and Asia as the innovative creator of the ONE Stroke™ painting technique. She shares her techniques with others through a television show available on PBS. In 2003, she shared her techniques during Womens' Conference at BYU in Provo, Utah. Source: Plaid Online. See also In Home Art.com.	Photo: Plaid Online
Heather Winn/Daily Universe Simon Dewey signs some of his art work at the bookstore.	Simon Dewey	Simon Dewey, the only son of a London bus driver, left school at the age of seventeen to pursue his artistic dreams. He studied at a London art college before launching his career. In 1999, he entered the world of published fine art and soon became one of the best selling artists of LDS religious works. His first book, Beloved Savior, was an immediate bestseller. (deseretbook.com)	Beloved Savior: Images from the Life of Christ By the Gift and Power of God
	Avard Fairbanks Ph.D. (1897-1987) sculptor	He was one of America’s distinguished sculptors of the 20th Century. In his career he created over 100 public monuments. (Four are found in the U.S. Capitol Bldg. in Washington, D.C.) He studied in New York, Paris, and Italy, and he attained his Doctorate in Anatomy at the University of Michigan where he was also professor of sculpture. He was the founding dean of the College of Fine Arts at the University of Utah (his native state). He was a descendent of Utah Pioneers. Source: Avard Fairbanks.com	A Sculptor's Testimony in Bronze and Stone: The Sacred Sculpture of Avard T. Fairbanks
	Brian Fairrington editorial cartoonist and illustrator	Born and raised in Arizona, Fairrington's award winning editorial cartoons are nationally syndicated to over 800 newspapers and publications in America with Cagle Cartoons. His cartoons have appeared in the New York Times, USAToday as well as on CNN, MSNBC and Fox New. Additionally his cartoons regularly appear on MSNBC's Cagle Cartoon Index, the most popular cartoon web site on the Internet and can be viewed regularly here on MSNBC He has also authored the Best Political Cartoons of the Year books available at Barnes & Noble or here on Amazon.com Fairrington can be reached at: bfair97@aol.com
Photo: Helaman Sculpture.com	Helaman Ferguson sculptor	Ferguson is [an] abstract artist who ... express[es] his mathematical conceptions as sculpture. He has discovered the common ground of mathematics and art upon which he has placed his own creativity. --Richard Waller, Director of the Marsh Art Gallery, University of Richmond, Virginia. Source: Helaman Sculpture.com
Deseret News	Arnold Friberg artist	"Friberg, whose Swedish father and Norwegian mother were both Mormon converts and immigrants to America, began drawing at a young age. By the time he was eight, he had aspirations to be a newspaper cartoonist, but after studying at the Chicago Academy of Fine Arts and later in New York, he went on to become a noted commercial artist and illustrator. He is best known for his work with Cecil B. DeMille's film The Ten Commandments and his nearly four decades as Chief illustrator of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. . . .[The] legendary Hollywood mogul Cecil B. DeMille . . . commissioned Friberg to develop the artistic look and costuming for the classic film The Ten Commandments. The artist provided large paintings along with drawings of actors with their individual dress. Because the movie schedule was tight and the Book of Mormon series was not yet finished, Friberg asked President David O. McKay for advice. www.schoolofabraham.com Friberg's legacy	Prayer at Valley Forge Peace, Be Still
dragonskeep.com	Bill Galvan artist	"I started drawing my own comics when I was in high school, photocopied 8 x 11" pages stapled together for my friends. From there, I moved on to doing a regular comic strip for our college newspaper at Southern Utah University. That's where Thunderbird started, and because the Thunderbird is also the mascot of the college. In 1994 I submitted a Thunderbird story to Newcomers Publishing, and then started doing a regular b&w bimonthly Thunderbird title. This original run lasted for two years and eight issues." Jumpgate	Thunderbird cover, Issue #1
	Calvin Grondahl	Editorial Cartoonist for the Standard-Examiner in Ogden Utah. He served a two year mission in New Zealand Click here to see the Angel Moroni visits mitt Romney cartoon	Cal's cartoons
	Mark Gudmundsen artist	He is well known for his striking paintings of American national parks, monuments, and wilderness areas. Because he lives just outside of Yosemite National Park, nearly half of his paintings are devoted to capturing the beauty and changing light of that vast “jewel of the National Park System”. He is a member of the Oakhurst, California Ward. Latter-day Saints living in the area might see his work in the entrance of the Fresno temple. Source: National Parks Artist	Yosemite Valley from Columbia Point by Mark Gudmundsen, oil on canvas, 24 x 36, Price: $3,000.00
	Travis Hanson comic artist	Travis Hanson is the creator of a comic book series called Beans Song. Bean is based on his son, Bean. He works in a small company called Outcast Studios.	Bean, the title character of Beansong.
Photo: Shannon Associates	Brett Helquist illustrator	He graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah in 1993. Shortly after graduation he moved to New York City, where he currently lives with his wife, Mary Jane Callister. He has illustrated for many magazine, newspaper, and publishing clients including: The New York Times, TiME for Kids, Harper Collins, and Farrar Straus and Giroux. His most recent books are the first five titles in A Series of Unfortunate Events published by Harper Collins. Source: Shannon Associates
	Glen Hopkinson painter The end of Parley Street Glenn Hopkinson	Glen's paintings are well known in the world of Western art and since his paintings have appeared in many LDS publications. He is often commissioned to paint particular events from personal family histories. His originals are found at the Williams Fine Art Gallery in Salt Lake and Repartee Gallery in Provo, Utah and at Hopkinson studio in Mesa Arizona. His paintings and writing are featured in two books “Old Nauvoo Through The Eyes of An Artist by Glen S. Hopkinson”published in 2002 by the artist as well as his most recent book published by Deseret Book titled “A Faithful Life; the Story of Joseph Smith in Pictures”. You can visit his website at www.glenhopkinson.com	Rescue of the Willie Handcart Company
	Jodi Jensen watercolors	She is best known for her beautiful florals, adorable bunnies and creative children's illustrations. One of her collectors describes her best: "Her work is realistic, serene and warm." Jodi received her art degree from Brigham Young University which included a semester of art history in Vienna Austria as well as intensive watercolor and figure drawing classes in Hawaii. She has enjoyed success ever since her first showing in 1985 and now finds herself inundated with commissions and continued demand for her work.
Photo: Springville Museum of Art	Brian Kershisnik painter	The son of a geologist, Brian Kershisnik spent much of his youth moving around the world: Angola, Thailand, West Texas and Pakistan. After a mission to Denmark for the LDS Church, Kershisnik earned a degree in fine art from Brigham Young University. After completing his graduate studies in art at the University of Texas, Kershisnik moved to Kanosh, Utah, where he lives and works with his wife and children. Kershisnik's profoundly moving images of people in the quiet but important moments of their lives can be found in the Museum of Church History and Art and many other public and private collections. Source: Guild.com See also: Brian Kershisnik: Painting from Life By Maurine Proctor, Meridian Magazine, 06 Dec 2002	Large Horse Small Riders by Brian Kershisnik
	Fumi Kosaka illustrator	Titles include: Let's Count the Raindrops (2001), Bubbles, Bubbles (2001), Ordinary Mary's Extraordinary Deed (2002), How Do You Know It's Halloween (2002), Busy, Busy Mouse (2003), How Do You Know It's Easter? (2004), Under My Hood I Have a Hat (2004), If You'll Be My Valentine (2004), and, coming in December, Be Mine, Be Mine, Sweet Valentine (2005) Source: Amazon.com	Ordinary Mary's Extraordinary Deed
	Hayden Lambson painter	Lambson grew up in New Mexico and now resides in Idaho. He graduated from BYU before beginning a career as a professional scouter. Whitetails Unlimited and the Foundation of North American Wild Sheep named Lambson artist of the year in 1988 and 1990. In addition to his art, he also spends time raising money for conservation groups. Source: Lambson Art
	David Edward Linn artist	David Linn was born in Palo Alto, California and grew up in the hills of the South Bay peninsula. He began painting shortly after birth and has only occasionally paused to pursue other interests such as music composition and performance, mountain climbing, and designing objects that fly. He received an MFA in painting from Brigham Young University, and currently resides at the foot of a mountain in Elk Ridge, Utah, with his wife, two children, two cats, a dog and numerous chickens. He cites influences as divergent as Baroque masters and American Luminists to contemporary Conceptual Site and Earthwork artists. David’s paintings can be found in various museum, corporate, and private collections throughout the country. www.davidlinn.com
	Stacey Mayer Equine Artist and Internet Entrepreneur	Stacey's online art and community website, www.awhitehorse.com has been earning international awards and critical acclaim. Her web site is home to the famous, awhitehorse forums, with over 100,000 online posts and a very live and vocal community. Arabians and half-Arabian horses are her specialty.
	Eugenio de Medio craft artist	Ceramic sculpture and vessels using traditional technologies of Italian majolica, some by the ancient Japanese technology introduced from the Raku family. Starting from 2003 exhibitions of Eugenio de Medio's art works will start up in a world tour. Sources: De Medio.com and World of Pottery	"BOMB" and "HALF BOMB" essence diffusers, ø cm. 10/inc. 4 ~ hand made raku ceramic and silver corks
Photo: Sculpting in Motion	Keith Nielsen sculptor	He is self-taught sculptor working from his home. His first commercial success came while selling his sculptures in a mall where shoppers were able to watch him work. Latter-day Saints might be most familiar with his temple sculptures which feature his unique styles of lace work (a technique for stitching glass together). Source: Sculpture in Motion	The Portland, Oregon Temple by Keith Nielsen
Photo: Greg Olsen Gallery	Greg Olsen painter	Olsen grew up in rural Idaho. His parents were also artists, and they encouraged his artistic expression. He studied illustration at the University of Utah. His paintings hang in temples in more than 20 countries around the world. He has also done work for the Pentagon and the National Collegiate Athletic Association. His paintings are included in many corporate collections, including Mobil, Turner Broadcasting, Westin Hotels, World Explorer Cruises and the American Cancer Society, as well as the Pentagon, the U.S. Forest Service and the State of Idaho. Source: Greg Olsen Gallery.com	O Jerusalem
Photo: Online Art Mall	Del Parson painter	He grew up in Rexburg, Idaho, where his father was an art professor at the local college and his mother taught second grade. His dad often took the family on painting excursion camp-outs. He loved the outdoors. Drawing came naturally for him, and he found his father's love of art to be contagious. Both his religious and historical paintings have received numerous regional and national awards. Now living in Utah with his wife and six children, he paints religious subjects to give others a sense of hope and share with them his love of life and its beauty. Source: Christ Centered Mall	He Is Risen
Photo: Meridian Magazine	Walter Rane painter	He served a full-time mission in France. The mission president wanted to do a traveling exhibit of original works to appeal to the French people. It was sort of a visitors center in the back of a VW Bus. Elder Rane spent a couple of months in the mission home painting religious pieces, and he enjoyed it very much. In the late nineties he did a painting that ended up in the Winter Quarters Visitors Center. He recently published a book title: By the Hand of Mormon: Scenes from the Land of Promise. His paintings have been on display at the Church Museum of Art. Source: Speaking without Talking By Steevun Lemon, Meridian Magazine,18 Mar 2005	Add to Your Faith Virtue, and to Virtue Knowledge
	Rose Marie Reid fashion designer	She was an accomplished Canadian swimmer, who created the bathing costume which was a fashion item rather than a purely functional suit. Her company eventually captured ten percent of the women’s swimwear market which led to her being named Designer of the Year by Sports Illustrated and Woman of the Year by Time (1955). She was also an irrepressible Mormon missionary to the Jewish people. Additional sides this dynamic lady who overcame daunting obstacles with faith and works are revealed in Rose Marie Reid (Covenant, 1995; 220 pp.; $19.95), by Carole Marie Reid Burr (one of her daughters) and Roger K. Petersen. Sources: Journal of Sport History, Beauty by the Sea, a Century of Swimwear , Recent LDS Books By BYU Alumni By Richard H. Cracroft, Brigham Young Magazine, Mar 1996
Photo: Mr. Gasser	Ed "Big Daddy" Roth (1932 - 2001) auto designer	He created custom show cars in his garage. He was a struggling artist who financed his inventions by selling drawings and t-shirts at drag events, fairs, and car shows. When he personally airbrushed t-shirts with the monsters driving the cars, people lined up at his booth. Ed's most popular monster was Rat Fink. He was a genius at designing cars, but it was Rat Fink that brought him fame. He converted to the Church in 1974, he was living in Manti, Utah at the time of his death. Sources: Hot Rod Works.net	Rat Fink
www.alrounds.com	Al Rounds painter	In 1977, he earned his bachelor's degree from the University of Utah. His painting technique was influenced there by the English portrait master, Alvin Gittins, and newspaper art critic and watercolorist, George Dibble. Utah-born, Al Rounds was brought up in the small-town community of Walnut Creek, California. This internationally acclaimed artist now finds retreat in his home nestled in the Rocky Mountains of Utah Utah painter's 'calling' is a stroke of wonder	Manti Temple Nauvoo Eagle Gate Christmas
	Erick Sosa sculptor	Erick Sosa is a Los Angels based Toy sculptor (collectible sculptor also) He has been sculpting since he was 3-4 years old, and over 13 years professionally. Erik is a stay at home Dad/Husband to a 2 year old daughter (Keira) and his wife Erika. He served an LDS mission in Mexico. He has been blessed to be able to work from home. Among his clients you will find: Mattel, Disney, Hasbro, DC Direct (DC Comics), Marvel Comics, among many others. He has recently been contacted by Xmen and Transformers producer Tom DeSanto to become his concept artist (drawing/sculpting) for a series of films.	Check our Eric's online studio Sosa Studio Interview Deadpool by Eric Sosa
	Anne Vanderlaan artist	Anna Vanderlaan ( pronounced Onna ) is a multicultural interdisciplinary artist with a BS degree in painting and drawing, and a Master of Fine Arts. She is a candidate for a Ph.D. in Psychology. Anne was the president of the South West Artist of Florida. She has been written about in various newspapers and had been on many television news stations for her community work. She has taught in public middle and high schools as well as privately. Anne has been asked to be a judge at many art fairs across the country and her knowledge of psychology and art history is exceptional. She has also lead tours throughout the United States and Western Europe. Anna recently had artwork featured in Oprah Magazine. Anne Vanderlaan online gallery annevanderlaan.com	Painting with the aura by using your head can give interesting effects and feelings.