Two Wonderful LDS Artists

If you watched the in between conference presentation on channel 5 Sunday, you were able to see a program about the art inside the Draper Temple. I've already talked about the windows and how wonderful the decor is, but I'd like to touch on these two artists, because their stories were so inspiring. Especially the first one...

Linda Curly Christensen

This wonderful artist has been able to realize a dream by heading up a team of Art Missionaries. Until this point, I never knew there was such a thing. She heads up a team of artists that paint the murals for the temples. What a wonderful mission! that would be simply...heaven on earth to me. Imagine getting up in the morning and going to paint for the Lord!



Fortunately, she has married a man who was equal to the dream and to the task of helping her in these projects. Greg built her a studio that will fit the tall panels of murals used in the temples, and also built large easels that roll on wheels. I can't even imagine the scope of these paintings. The largest thing I've ever painted was about 27" by 40".

She is really an inspiration to artists in the church, and a talented woman who has been able to share this wonderful talent with all of us who attend the temples. If you've gone through the Draper Temple, you've seen how amazing those rooms are.

The other artist that worked on those projects was Keith Bond.



He does amazing work as well. According to the program, and his website, he practices the art of painting en plein air which means outside. Of course he paints larger pieces in a studio, but he tries to do as much as he can outdoors where he can experience the reality of what he wants to put on canvas.

In addition to the murals he did for the temple, he has done two murals for the Utah Capitol building. They are both large and amazing works depicting two distinct scenes from Utah, in a way intended for those working there to remember that their state is beautiful.



This is the style of painting that I aspire to, since I love to paint flowers and the outdoors.



I was inspired by the program and the highlighting of these two artists, and wanted to share their talents with you. I hope you have a chance to see their work soon, and to enjoy the wonder and beauty of the world around us that was created by our Savior, and gifted to these talented people who are quick to share and answer the call.

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Well...it was Eight days before Christmas...

Karlene tagged me for an 8 things blog last week, and I figured I'd use it as part of a count down to Christmas, and about things art. It's supposed to be 8 things about me...so, here's my list.

Eight Things I'm Looking Forward To:

1. The Millenium (seriously)

2. Rose Parade

3. Christmas parties

4. Christmas Day -- spent with family

5. The LDS Storymakers Writers Conference in April.

6. Talking with my brother on the phone

7. My children going on missions

8. Getting published

Five books I consider classics: (okay, this wasn't part of the original, but I'm trying to be artsy here...grin. And I gave up on coming up with 8 -- I didn't have time to peruse my books)

1. The Little Princess

2. The Secret Garden

3. The Five Little Peppers and How They Grew

4. Little Women

5. Anne of Green Gables


Eight Things on My Wish List:

1. a new pare of slippers

2. A new set of paints and brushes

3. canvas! (can I get my family to read this?)

4. ink for my printer

5. socks! (does anyone else have a problem with socks twisting on their feet?)

6. Pants

7. books!

8. a date with my hubby....grin

Eight TV Shows I Like to Watch: (Okay...I don't watch TV shows...so I changed it to my favorite Christmas movies)

1. While you were sleeping

2. A Christmas Carol

3. The Grinch

4. The Muppet Christmas Carol

5. Miracle on 34th Street

6. Scrooged (well, I have to be in the mood for this one)

7. Mr. Kruger's Christmas

8. The Nutcracker


Five artist that I admire: (I changed this one too -- it was eight things that happened yesterday)

1. James Christensen (see my blog about him...excellent!)

2. Simon Dewey -- I'm so amazed by our wonderful talented brothers and sisters...

3. Greg Olsen (nothing else needs to be said)

4. Del Parson ( I don't think I've spotlighted him yet...)

5. Meg Johnson -- an inspiration to all around her.


People Who Now Have to Do This Silly Tag:

YOU! Let me know when you do it and I'll visit your blog.


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Oil Isn't Just What's in The Ground

In a world that looks at oil prices as something related to cars, I thought I'd start talking about oil Paint. (grin.) You see, oil isn't just for cars, what's in your skin, or what you use to cook.

Righhhhttt. I can just hear you... Oil paint is (in my opinion) the standard for art and paint. It's been the primary medium for centuries, and actually hasn't changed a great deal in all these years.

Many of the great masters from the 1500's used oil paints for their work, and it's proven itself to be a medium that lasts, with proper care, for ages. Rembrandt is probably one of the most famous, and I'm always amazed at how he was able to use oil to create depth and feeling in a flat canvas. His painting of the Musketeers (the one pictured above -- sorry it's so small) is one of my favorites.

I haven't talked much about oil painting, because it's a medium that is difficult for me. It's one that takes a lot of patience. If you've worked with paint at all, however, you know that oil paint is a texture all it's own. It has a smooth, creamy feel -- almost sensual. It's difficult to keep from smearing it all over your fingers and remembering what it was like as a kid when finger painting was the favorite pastime.

No wonder kids liked to do it...I even discovered there was an artist that actually painted that way for show -- interesting. But anyway, I digress. Oil painting is something that I think takes a lot of talent. It's also difficult when the painting takes a very long time to dry (think 3 days) and you have children that are curious and want to touch it!! That's one of the reasons I don't use it...

We are blessed to have some really wonderful artists that are members of the church who paint with oil. Many of the names will sound familiar: Arnold Friberg, Mark Gudmundsen (who does amazing paintings of Yosemite), Simon Dewey (who everyone will recognize from his paintings of Christ -- so beautiful!), and of course, Greg Olsen! Unfortunately the list goes on, but I can only talk about so many at a time.


What really gets me excited, is the creation of water soluble oil paint. When using traditional oil paint, you have to clean everything with turpentine, and things really smell. The oil paint itself smells, and it's very messy. Since I'm not into smells (since my studio is my home, and everyone else has to deal with it too) nor am I into hard to clean stuff, I stayed away from oils. (Did I mention it's also more expensive?)

But this last Christmas my hubby chanced on a beginner kit of water soluble oil paints. I was so excited, I could hardly contain myself. Finally! The option to use a historical medium with lower mess and smell. I had forgotten the time thing though...and yes, it still takes three days to dry. (Reference my blog on my mailbox -- that's what I painted with it.)

So...I guess if I'm really going to get into the oils, I'll have to invest in more paints and the additives that help the paint dry faster. Hmmm. I guess it will take some thought. But, in the meantime, I'll get to play around with it and see what I can do.

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