Mormon Life - Art tag

Church seeks material for Washington D.C. Temple exhibit

Wed, 23 May 2012 12:33:00 -0600

source: ldschurchnews.com

The Missionary Department of the Church is seeking material pertaining to the Washington D.C. Temple for a new exhibit.

Items being sought include artifacts, old photos, stories and video of the announcement, groundbreaking, construction, open house and dedication of the temple.

Insight into Arnold Friberg's Book of Mormon paintings

Mon, 21 May 2012 09:34:00 -0600

source: deseretnews.com

Virginia Ashdown has observed them hanging next to one another for almost nine years.

There’s chiseled Ammon and his outstretched sword, unconquerable Captain Moroni and the husky 2,060 sons of Helaman, among others.

As a hostess in the Book of Mormon gallery room at the LDS Church’s Conference Center, Ashdown takes pleasure in seeing visitors experience the late Arnold Friberg’s 12 large-scale Book of Mormon paintings.

Son reflects on life of his mother, Liz Lemon Swindle

Wed, 09 May 2012 10:21:00 -0600

source: MormonTimes.com

Editor's note: The following is an excerpt from the book "Life Lessons from Mothers of Faith," published by Covenant Communications.

Of all the lessons my mother taught me, perhaps the one that has made the biggest difference has been her faith that after we have done all that we can do, God will make up the difference.

She taught me this from a very young age. I remember when I was 7 years old, I awoke one night from a bad dream. Like any scared child, I wanted my mother, and I knew just where to find her. I walked down the hall to the old storage room where she painted. When I opened the door, she was there, hunched over her easel. When she saw me, she put down her brush, picked me up and kissed me. Her voice was all the comfort I needed, and I fell asleep in her arms.

Tabernacle organ heritage

Tue, 08 May 2012 12:40:00 -0600

source: ldschurchnews.com

Mormon Life says: There's a pretty photo gallery with this article. For generations, musical artists have brought forth melodic beauty from the Salt Lake Tabernacle Organ. Now, a visual artist has reflected the physical beauty of the instrument in a series of 28 paintings.

Fred D. Howard formally presented the works to the Mormon Tabernacle Choir organization April 17 during a program and reception in the Tabernacle. The audience of invited guests included current and former artists, staff and leaders associated with the organization, as well as members of the artist's family.

Church History Museum's youth art contest deadline is June 1

Thu, 03 May 2012 09:32:00 -0600

source: deseretnews.com

The deadline for the LDS Church History Museum's International Art Competition for Youth is June 1.

Photo Gallery: The Artwork of President Packer

Tue, 01 May 2012 00:10:00 -0600

by LDS Living
source: MormonLife.com

Mormon Life says: It’s easy to think of the general authorities only as the people we see over the pulpit in general conference, but they have talents, hobbies, and interests too. President Packer just released a book of his paintings, sketches, and carvings focusing primarily on birds called The Earth Shall Teach Thee, published by Deseret Book and the BYU Religious Studies Center. Check out a few of his paintings on our site.

Pair of Lazuli Buntings with Iris, 1983 (pg. 152)
Basswood, copper foliage; 18 x 11 x 10 in.

Over the years, President Packer has developed a great pastime of painting and carving. While he was painting or carving, his mind was carving out a sermon. He has created what some describe as masterpieces. To him, they are simply an attempt to capture the beauty of nature.

The Bishop's Team, 1999, (pg. 112)
Acrylic on canvas; 22 x 30 in.

President Packer painted this scene of a faithful bishop's horse team waiting patiently in the field while he went to help his ward members. You can read about the story as he told it in his April 1999 general conference address.

President packer putting the finishing touches on his painting in his backyard. (pg. 113)

Singing Meadowlark, 1990, (pg. 133)
Acrylic on canvas; framed, 11 1/2 x 14 in.

President Packer explains that meadowlarks sing "Brigham City is a pretty little town," but people often mistakenly interpret the song to be about their own hometown. Beyond the fields can be seen President Packer's hometown, with the steeple of the Box Elder Tabernacle just visible.

Living Room Fireplace, 1970, (pg. 55)
Ash, carving

President Packer says they redid the fireplace as a family project, choosing the sego lilies and covered wagons to honor their pioneer heritage.

Sego Lilies and Sagebrush, 1992, (pg. 73)
Acrylic on canvas; framed, 14 x 11 in.

Peacocks and Autumn Leaves, 1978, (pg. 130)
Acrylic on canvas; framed, 30 x 40 in.

President Packer's family kept a small flock of peacocks in their yard for several years. "I could go outside and whistle, and they would come running for a handout," he says. "Once they developed a taste for our neighbor's raspberries, I had to keep them penned up.

Photo of young President Packer with bird, (pg. 0)

"I have always loved nature: animals, flowers, and especially birds," says President Packer. "I think I was born with it."

Sketch of son and kitten, 1975 (pg. 81)

One day President Packer came home to find his five-year-old son feeding his kitten by holding it tightly around the throat and dipping it head-first into the milk, while the animal complained loudly and struggled to escape drowning. "It is obvious that there are better ways to feed a kitten," he says. "There are also better ways to teach."

Flying Geese, 1968, (pg. 70)
Acrylic on canvas; framed, 18 x 24 in.

Family, 1974, (pg. 80)
Oil on canvas; framed, 18 x 20 in.

While President Packer was serving as an Assistant to the Twelve, President Spencer W. Kimball suggested he write a book, and somewhere in the writing process, it was also suggested that he do the illustrations for it. So all the drawings in Teach Ye Diligently, along with the cover (pictured), which is a portrait of some of his children and their spouses, were done by him as well.

In preparation for a carving, President Packer would study paintings and photographs, observe their habits and actions in real life, and obtain museum specimens to measure the length and number of feathers in the wings and tails, etc. He would do the same with the plants with which the animals associated.

Male Blue Jay on Norway Maple Leaves, 1982, (pg. 151)
Basswood, copper foliage, base milled from a pattern used to replace molding in the Salt Lake Temple; 17 3/4 x 17 x 12 in.

"Carving was restful to me. Sometimes when I got a little stressed or cranky, my wife would say, 'Well, you had better start another carving,'" says President Packer. "Bird carving kept my hands busy and my mind free to think, ponder, and pray."

To learn more about President Packer's book, click here.

Just Asking: Interview with Artist Liz Lemon Swindle

Tue, 01 May 2012 00:03:00 -0600

by LDS Living
source: MormonLife.com

Mormon Life says: Liz Lemon Swindle has become famous for her paintings of religious subjects – particularly those of Jesus Christ and Joseph Smith. LDS Living recently caught up with her for the inside scoop on an artistic life.

What was it like trying to raise a family while creating your art at the same time?

It was difficult. Every day was a juggling act to balance two things I loved dearly. In the end I couldn’t give up either one so I gave up sleep instead.

How does your husband fit into the popularity and fame your art has garnered?

He is the quintessential Hyrum Smith. He is an amazing man and accomplished in his own right, but he is comfortable being my support with no thought for himself. He isn’t threatened by any of it and that makes it wonderful to be together and experience this life as friends.

In 2007, you were able to work with Mothers Without Borders to create paintings of Christ. What was your most memorable experience?

My most memorable experience came from a little boy named Kennedy who, at 3 years old, had lost both of his parents to AIDS. Mothers Without Borders found him living alone with his 6-year-old brother and 10-year-old sister. When I thought of those three children struggling to survive and the millions of others across Africa in similar circumstances, I felt an overwhelming hopelessness and said to myself, “No amount of money can fix this.”

Later that day while we were filming, Kennedy climbed into the arms of the man portraying the Savior. As I stood watching them, Kennedy turned toward me and our eyes met. At that moment, I knew it wasn’t hopeless. I realized that the Savior could fix not only the problems of Africa but of the whole world . . . and we can be His hands to do it.

What was the hardest part of learning how to paint Christ?

Accepting that not everyone likes what I paint. In the beginning, I thought that because I felt moved while creating the images that everyone would receive it with that spirit. I now see that is why there are so many artists in the Lord’s work—so there is something for everyone.

How does the fact that you’re a Mormon affect the public’s perception of your art?

It is no different for me than for anyone else who’s Mormon. There will always be people whose prejudice convinces them that Mormons are not Christians, but I think more and more people are seeing that idea for what it is: nonsense.

Where and how do you get inspiration for your art?

I draw tremendous inspiration from reading the scriptures and finding stories that touch me. Looking at other artists’ works is another source of inspiration, and hearing from others who like the work gives me a “shot in the arm.” I get calls or emails where someone says something like, “I just read this and I had to share it with you.”

From conception of an idea to the last brush stroke on canvas, about how long does it typically take you to finish a painting?

I suppose that depends on the size of the painting and where I am in my personal life. Some paintings come together in matter of weeks while others have taken me years. The one I am working on now of the Woman at the Well will be three months from start to finish.

Some of your latest artwork modernizes parables from the New Testament. What is the message you most want your viewers to get from these paintings?

I realized a couple years ago that after the Savior’s atonement, the most important gift He gave us was His teachings. By showing each parable in a modern setting, I am reminding myself that His teachings are not ancient stories for another time but rather a roadmap to happiness for me today.

What other hobbies do you enjoy outside of your art?

As I get older I find that being with my family and especially my grandchildren is my favorite thing to do. I also like to garden. (That makes me sound like an old woman, doesn’t it?)

What’s something few people know about you?

I have a weakness for Hostess Snowballs.

If you could meet any artist who has ever lived, who would it be and why?

Eugene Bernand. His art speaks to me. Can I choose a second? Norman Rockwell because he painted life in a way that still inspires me to enjoy every moment.

To see what Liz is working on right now or view any of her images, go to lizlemonswindle.com or like her on Facebook.

Free LDS printables

Mon, 30 Apr 2012 09:30:00 -0600

source: mormonmommyblogs.blogspot.com

Mormon Mommy Blogs offers a number of LDS art prints with great quotes and scriptures for free!

'The Earth Shall Teach Thee: The Lifework of an Amateur Artist' by President Boyd K. Packer

Thu, 19 Apr 2012 09:48:00 -0600

source: deseretnews.com

Mormon Life says: Look for President Packer's artwork in our upcoming issue. As a young boy, Boyd K. Packer wanted to go on a safari to Africa rather than play cops and robbers or cowboys and Indians like the others in his neighborhood.

"My interest in nature evolved into an interest in art," President Boyd K. Packer, president of the Quorum of the Twelve, wrote in "The Earth Shall Teach Thee: The Lifework of an Amateur Artist." This coffee-table-size book includes some of his early sketches on lined paper, sketches from the notebook he had during his military service in Japan, and his later paintings, drawings and carvings. His formal art education was a high school art class.

'Madman' comic book artist reflects on 20 years, LDS faith

Fri, 06 Apr 2012 08:44:00 -0600

source: bleedingcool.com

You’ve been quite open about your Mormon faith — you’ve even drawn an adaptation of The Book of Mormon. Had you always been part of the faith, or did you arrive at it later as part of that existential search for meaning that you mentioned? Do your beliefs inform Frank?

MA: That also was subconscious. My parents got divorced, which is extremely rare in the Mormon Church. I think there’s like a five-percent divorce rate for couples that have been married in the Mormon Temple —

Laura Allred: I think before, but not now.

MA: — but, you know, just ridiculously successful. So, for my parents to get divorced, there was almost a shame to it. My older brother and younger brother went with my mom who went back to where she grew up, back in the Rocky Mountains by Salt Lake City. I stayed in Oregon with my dad who was a psychologist and worked at the hospital that One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest was based on. Ken Kesey was his orderly. At that point — I hate to admit it — it was really fun, just me and dad. In a lot of ways, though, I kind of raised myself, and we had stopped going to church at this point, around when I was 11. A lot had been instilled in me, even though I didn’t practice the faith. Then, several years ago, my aunt gave me the journal of my great-great-grandfather who knew Joseph Smith — the prophet of the Mormon faith — and from New York, he went with Joseph Smith everywhere he went.

Elder Holland, Bethesda and the art of healing

Tue, 03 Apr 2012 13:14:00 -0600

source: deseretnews.com

All through high school, the first years of college and his mission, Elder Jeffrey R. Holland planned to be a physician. But somewhere along the way, he changed his mind and became a teacher.

As part of his message during a dinner in conjunction with the spring meeting for Collegium Aesculapium, Elder Holland spoke about what teachers and physicians have in common.

"As a teacher I still get to do a little of what you do as a healer, and certainly you as healers have the chance to do what I do as a teacher," said Elder Holland, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. "For both groups, the Savior is the example."

'Treasures of the Collection' focuses on Church cultural celebrations

Mon, 02 Apr 2012 14:14:00 -0600

source: ldschurchnews.com

Accordingly, we have had observances, festivals and customs over the years. Some, like the annual Old Folks Day, road shows and Gold and Green Balls have slipped into antiquity. Some are carried forward to this day, such as the annual Days of '47 celebration in Salt Lake City. Some are one-time but memorable events such as Church involvement in the New York World's Fair in 1964 and the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City.

Thus, the focus of this year's "Treasures of the Collection" display at the Church History Library in Salt Lake City is the Church's cultural celebrations.

{Lifestyle} Genealogy as Art

Thu, 29 Mar 2012 00:05:00 -0600

by Kaela Worthen
source: MormonLife.com

Mormon Life says: Family trees are all the rage now as people get back to their roots (no pun intended) and use their ancestry as art. Check out some of these great ideas for your home.

Photo and guide from Poppytalk.

This is probably my favorite by far. I love how the frames are "hung" on the branches of the tree. For some variations on this idea, click here and here.

Photo and guide from Better Homes and Gardens.

On board with the bird vogue? Use these templates and instructions to create an adorable family tree of nesting birds that would be perfect for any nursery. For a vinyl wall art bird family tree, click here.

Photo and guide from Martha Stewart.

This different take on displaying your ancestor's photos may not show the exact relationships of your family members, but it will present them in a stunning way that's sure to lead to questions and thus opportunities to share their stories.

Photo from Etsy; guide from The Craft Patch.

Use names to make the tree! I love the idea of words as art, and this is a beautiful way of doing just that. Click here for another great example. This one follows the same idea, though it's not actually a family tree.

Photo from Style Me Pretty.

Try preserving more than your family's names by incorporating thumbprints or handprints as leaves. This idea will work best for living relatives, or, in the photo above, as a wedding guest book. Click here and here for more thumbprint examples, or here for a guide to make a hand tree.

Photo from Shelterness.

Make your family tree into a cool centerpiece. You can make it themed like this Easter one or a traditional tree like this one here. You can also buy ones to hang pictures from on Amazon.

Photo and guide from Martha Stewart.

For an ultra cool and contemporary take on the family tree, follow Martha Stewart's guide to creating a silhouette family tree that you can match to any decor color scheme.

Artists at work on March 23 at Church History Museum

Thu, 22 Mar 2012 11:40:00 -0600

source: deseretnews.com

Seven Mormon artists will be featured at this year's Artists at Work event at the LDS Church History Museum on Friday, March 23, starting at 6:30 p.m.

Artist of the Prophets: A BYU Professor's Work

Tue, 20 Mar 2012 12:48:00 -0600

source: news.byu.edu

Bloggernacle Back Bench: What's new in history and international art

Tue, 20 Mar 2012 12:10:00 -0600

source: deseretnews.com

Let’s delve into some history and art this week since I attended both a blogger news conference on the new "The Joseph Smith Papers: Histories, Volume 1" and the Church History Library’s 9th International Art Competition opening.

Winners of International Art Exhibit Announced, Exhibit Opens

Mon, 19 Mar 2012 10:49:00 -0600

source: news.lds.org

On Friday, March 16, 2012, at the opening of the Ninth International Art Competition exhibit, local and international artists gathered to accept awards for their LDS-themed artwork.

Merit Awards were presented for 20 artists whose pieces were deemed “outstanding,” while another 15 artists earned Purchase Awards, meaning the Church History Museum, which sponsors the competition, acquired the piece for its collection.

'Beauty and Belief' - Acclaimed Islamic art exhibit at BYU

Mon, 27 Feb 2012 10:04:00 -0700

source: ldschurchnews.com

Why would Brigham Young University — a Church-owned institution found in the heart of Mormon culture and heritage — play host to a massive exhibit of Islamic art grounded in the day-to-day culture of the Muslim world?

It's a fair question. One that exhibit and museum directors are eager to answer and engage. Dr. Sabiha Al Khemir, project director of the new Islamic-themed "Beauty and Belief," said she is often asked by associates from far outside Utah just why such an exhibit would open at BYU.

BYU recovers stolen painting from Swiss baron's estate

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 10:31:00 -0700

source: deseretnews.com

Mormon Life says: A real-life mystery! What an interesting story. The painting simply vanished.

A beautiful oil and canvas painted by the hand of an American master, it was stolen sometime between 1970 and 1985.

Once a persistent detective determined it was missing, it was too late to know whether it had once graced a cultured professor's wall or waited patiently in a corner for the day it would be showcased to the masses.

Certainly no one could say who took it. And to this day, nobody knows how "The Silver Chalice with Roses" slipped into the shadows of the art world's international black market.

At least nobody is telling.

Mormon Life - Art tag

Church seeks material for Washington D.C. Temple exhibit

Insight into Arnold Friberg's Book of Mormon paintings

Son reflects on life of his mother, Liz Lemon Swindle

Tabernacle organ heritage

Church History Museum's youth art contest deadline is June 1

Photo Gallery: The Artwork of President Packer

Just Asking: Interview with Artist Liz Lemon Swindle

Free LDS printables

'The Earth Shall Teach Thee: The Lifework of an Amateur Artist' by President Boyd K. Packer

'Madman' comic book artist reflects on 20 years, LDS faith

Elder Holland, Bethesda and the art of healing

'Treasures of the Collection' focuses on Church cultural celebrations

{Lifestyle} Genealogy as Art

Artists at work on March 23 at Church History Museum

Artist of the Prophets: A BYU Professor's Work

Bloggernacle Back Bench: What's new in history and international art

Winners of International Art Exhibit Announced, Exhibit Opens

SPONSORED: Kissing the Face of God - A Very Human Representation of Divinity

'Beauty and Belief' - Acclaimed Islamic art exhibit at BYU

BYU recovers stolen painting from Swiss baron's estate