Art
Art has always been an important part of my life. At a young age I exhibited artistic talent as did many in my family. We had a creative mother who never stifled our dreams, encouraging us to see the beauty in God's creations. Over the years my interest in art has traveled several meandering routes. When I was a young girl I took private lessons from an attentive art teacher down the street who helped me enter paintings in the county fair. I won the art trophy at school. And through church and community opportunities I had many chances to share my talents. When college came, although I wasn't sure were to land, it seemed like I should pursue something art based. I started in landscape design, then toggled back and forth between interior design and fashion design before finally settling on a custom made photography major – portrait design, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree from Utah State University. Photography became a passion, especially because people were my subjects. Since 1980 I have had the great privilege of photographing thousands of lovely individuals and families while employed at different studios, most notably Busath Photography in Salt Lake City, Utah, where I had the unique opportunity to be mentored by Don Busath, one of the great master photographers of the world. From there I was fortunate to complete an internship with Lisa Evans Portrait Design in Walnut Creek, California. In 1990 I started my own portrait business, which then took a back seat a few years later when our home was blessed with children. As time went by and with the children all in school, photography resurfaced during the digital age, this time with a shift in my focus towards what I term "portrait scenes," where I choose the models, the clothing, the props, and the location – all because of a story, a personal story, I want to tell.
In addition to photographic art which I have enjoyed for many years, my childhood dream of being an artist who paints has been rekindled. Because of gifted artists who encourage and teach, I am now discovering the joy of painting and sculpting. And with an increasing admiration and appreciation for the fine arts, in the year 2000 I began collecting original paintings from my favorite local artists and founded Praiseworthy Arts, an arm of my business that promotes uplifting, inspiring, and Christian artwork. In 2010 I helped establish the Inspirational Art Association and served as an adviser to the board of directors for the first three years. In 2013 I met Jane Bell Meyer, gallery owner, and joined the staff for the opening of the prestigious Illume Gallery of Fine Art in City Creek, Salt Lake City, Utah. About this same time I began researching material for Utah and Mormon art books as an assistant to Dr. Vern G. Swanson, beloved director and curator of the Springville Museum of Art for 32 years. In 2016 Dr. Swanson and I worked in earnest to form the Society of Mormon Artists, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization which we officially founded with Dr. Herman du Toit in April of the following year (2017). It is a great privilege to be part of this endeavor to promote reverential and devotional art and the artists who create it. I look forward to a future surrounded by uplifting art and many more opportunities to share it with the world.
In addition to photographic art which I have enjoyed for many years, my childhood dream of being an artist who paints has been rekindled. Because of gifted artists who encourage and teach, I am now discovering the joy of painting and sculpting. And with an increasing admiration and appreciation for the fine arts, in the year 2000 I began collecting original paintings from my favorite local artists and founded Praiseworthy Arts, an arm of my business that promotes uplifting, inspiring, and Christian artwork. In 2010 I helped establish the Inspirational Art Association and served as an adviser to the board of directors for the first three years. In 2013 I met Jane Bell Meyer, gallery owner, and joined the staff for the opening of the prestigious Illume Gallery of Fine Art in City Creek, Salt Lake City, Utah. About this same time I began researching material for Utah and Mormon art books as an assistant to Dr. Vern G. Swanson, beloved director and curator of the Springville Museum of Art for 32 years. In 2016 Dr. Swanson and I worked in earnest to form the Society of Mormon Artists, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization which we officially founded with Dr. Herman du Toit in April of the following year (2017). It is a great privilege to be part of this endeavor to promote reverential and devotional art and the artists who create it. I look forward to a future surrounded by uplifting art and many more opportunities to share it with the world.