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Show ST. GEORGE 8 — ror the week of September 15, 2008 — The Spectrum NEIGHBORHOODS www.thespectrum.com Meet Del Parsons, renowned artist By THAYA GILMORE For St. George Neighborhoods ST. GEORGE — Del Parson is well-noted for his religious paintings. Perhaps the most well-known painting he did is the portrait of the Lord Jesus Christ in the red robe for The Church of Jesus “Obviously my dad had a large influence on our lives because of his profession as an artist. As a child, I went on painting trips with him, which I really enjoyed. I knew that my dad had a great love of art’ Born and raised in Ogden, after graduating from high Christ of Latter-day Saints. school, Del attended Rick’s Del sees himself as a College for two years. Even painter more than an artist. though he was not an art In fact, he feels the talent major, he took art classes of painting must flow in his from his dad while at Ricks. veins for there are three gen“When I went to college, I erations of painters and art- didn't plan on being an artists in his family. His father, ist. When I was in my dad’s Oliver Parson, is an artist. class, I'm this 18-year-old Out of Oliver and Myra’s nine kid. I liked my dad and I children, three sons, Leon had a good relationship with and Nolan, are BYU-Idaho him as my parent and as my art professors; Del, the fourth . teacher. I feel like he may have child, teaches art at Dixie pushed me a little more than College, and four daughters the other students because Anita, Sherma, Diane, and he wanted me to succeed. He Loraine teach art in junior did good critiques of my art high and high schools. though. The thing I loved the Another daughter, Jodell, most about his classes was teaches music, and their son, his enthusiasm for art. He Kelvin, is an engineer. Also made the classes fun’ one of Del’s children and Del's father developed an some of his siblings’ children interest in art when Oliver are artists. was a child of eight years (Reman Vue old living in Kansas. Oliver entered his drawings and paintings at the Kansas State Fair. He won ribbons for his entries. After graduating from Weber State College and then receiving a bachelor of science degree as an art major from the University of Utah, he taught art classes over several years in the fourth grade through high school. When he was offered a job at Ricks College, he accepted. Oliver taught at Ricks for 25 years and was the head of the Art Department. He received a plaque for “Distinguished pa: from BYU-Idaho in ee said, “I didn't necessarily expect my children to be artists. They just saw me do it. Then they started drawing when they were little” said Oliver, now age 91, who has a studio in his home in Bloomington Hills where he lives with his wife, Arvella. He is still active in all aspects of art. He is currently working on two sculptures. Live DESTINATIO Other mediums he continues using are watercolors, woodblock prints, portraits, landscapes, portraits, and ink drawings. “When I had my children in my classes, I taught them just like the other ones and I didn’t show any favoritism. I think it’s just super duper that all my kids and grandkids are artists, said Oliver. Del, on the other hand, hasn't always had a desire to be an artist. “As a kid I took an aptitude test. I was surprised that the result of that test was fine artist. 1 wanted to do a man’s job, not be a painter or do art; admitted Del. However, after Ricks he went to BYU and earned a BS degree and an MEA degree, both in Art. “I continually wrestled with the problem of not knowing if I could make a living at being an artist. I had an interest in it. I loved it, and I could do art better than anything else. Even —____"_. eSee DEL on page 18 Music Thaya Gilmore/ For St. George Neighborhoods Del Parson shows his painting Joy, and daughter, Chancy. of his deceased Fall & Halloween Decor Is Here! Hurry In! GREEN TAG SALE Bee Ve mists METAL « MIRRORS e CLOCKS So Contemporary American cuisine Live Plano Music Tuesda Ys 6-9 OPEN pert Be est aie Poles ce ease ANY ONE DAYS DINNER: 4PM ITEM’ thru ne ag hid 7 A WEEK LUNCH: MON-SAT/11:30-4PM* $3-$11 : www. “Best Restaurant” DAILY ee COM 634-1700 20% To 50% OFF Nice Gifts For Under $10 Uncle & Auntie’s Unique Gifts & Home Decor 2895 Santa Clara Dr., Santa Clara 634-9416 Mon-Sat 10-6 wife, |