In Search of Geo M. Boardman and His Art and Mrs. Milburn Button

The other day I received an email with a very interesting question, a lady from Washington State asked if I knew anything about a velvet copy of the painting of Joseph Smith originally done by Alvin Gittens but copied by Geo M. Boardman. So of course I go to Google to do some research and to my amazement I could not find anything on Geo M. Boardman. I went to the church website and no information in any magazines or literature of the Church. I wonder if Geo is short for George? I searched that too and could not come up with anything concrete. The original painting was done in 1959 the copy was done in 1969 below are pictures of the painting and the only known clues that we currently have. The painting was donated to Louisville stake probably that same year by a Mrs. Milburn Button. If anyone has any information on this that would be fantastic. Please comment below.

Message received on January 23, 2012

I am a member of the Church currently living in WA state.  I came across a pastel on velvet portrait of the prophet Joseph Smith.  It’s a copy of
Alvin Gittens’ 1959 portrait of the prophet. The portrait was made in 1969 by Geo M. Boardman and the piece was donated to a Louisville stake by Mrs. Milburn Button.  I was wondering if you know anything about Geo Boardman?

I would love your opinion on the piece also. Thank you.

Plaque

Joseph Smith

Painting Signature - Geo M. Boardman

Hands of the Master Painting – Doc Christensen

My brother-in-law is serving a mission in Russia. He will be a fantastic missionary. My wife asked him if he could have any piece of LDS art from our website what would he choose. His choice surprised me. He said he wanted to have the painting called “Hands of the Master” by Doc Christensen. I love this painting as it describes the personality of the savior through His hands.

Hand of the Master by Doc Christensen

Hands of Innocence
Hands of Learning
Hands of Healing
Hands of Giving
Hands of Prayer
Hands of Sacrafice
Hands of Forgiveness

Pollyanna an LDS Perspective

I was watching the movie Pollyanna (the 1960 Disney version) with my children today. I watched the preacher preaching hell, fire, and damnation. It was quite funny. Wonder what our sacrament meetings would be like if we had fierce preachers yelling at us.

What a great movie, this movie takes me back to my childhood. I watched this movie over and over again, however, now that I am older and an adult my perspective on the movie has changed.

I just downloaded the book by Eleanor H. Porter from http://www.gutenberg.org and the movie is quite different from the book.

For some reason this movie strikes a chord with LDS members. I am not sure why but coming from a film background the movie is almost perfect everything from the costumes to the music. This is almost a perfect movie.

Recently BYU-TV has been playing lots of old Disney movies on Sunday nights like Toby Tyler, The Cat From Outer Space etc. The channel used to be general conference 24/7 which was okay for a while but I am glad they are showing other things. They have had several presentations on LDS art and LDS artists like Del Parsons and others. LDS members love to watch great movies that are okay for the whole family to watch I guess that is why I like Pollyanna.

Coming from a film background I found it interesting there was an old silent version of the film. I still like my old Disney version that I grew up with.

 

Armor of God Painting Great Missionary Gifts

I heard on KSL.com that they are going to remodle the MTC and make it better, I have fond memories of entering the MTC when I was a missionary several years ago.

As I helped my brother-in-law prepare for his mission by having him stay with us while he was waiting the enter the MTC the “Armor of God Painting” and “Called to Serve Painting” have come to mind. I love these paintings. I wish that I had them while I was on my mission The painting Armor of God is a painting by Doc Christensen he actually used my brother as the model for that particular painting.

These paintings picture a missionary looking in the mirror with the savior helping them put on the whole armor of God which is a reference to the scriptures in the Bible that refer to the Armor of God.

Sister missionaries are also included in this missionary art. Doc did a painting called “Witness for His Name” a painting of a young sister missionary preparing fo the day.

Missionary art makes such great gifts for missionaries because it is something they can take with them from area to area. Small prints are great because they can carry them with them in their scriptures.

Missionaries have a tough job, while I was on my mission a former gang member and ex convict who was converted to the church told me that missionaries are the “real tough guys”

What a great experience a mission is. Missionaries love simple things like LDS art or things that they can remember why they are there.

Jolynn Forman – New LDS Artist

Jolynn Forman is a new LDS artist. She has just painting the painting called “Book of Mormon Stories” and “Women’s Voices From the Dust” these two paintings show the scriptures being read by children showing their dream world. This new type of LDS art should become very popular. We are pleased to welcome Jolynn to the ProphetPainting family.

Brendan Clary New Artist – First Presidency and Thomas S. Monson Painting

Brendan Clary, contacted us at ProphetPaintings.com with his new LDS art we now carry two paintings more to come. As I met with Brendan Clary I was very impressed with his art and know that one day he will be a very popular LDS artist.

Brendan Clary is a recent graduate from BYU-Idaho, where he received his Bachelor degree in Fine Art. Brendan was fortunate to study under talented professional artists while on full scholarship, and graduated in the top 5 percent of his class. Brendan hopes to use his artistic skills to express his passionate love for the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He is especially fond of portraiture work where he can share the Savior’s Image as it shines through the countenance of others.

Brendan is currently working at his studio in West Jordan, Utah where he specializes in private portrait commissions other religious works.

It is Brendan’s desire to use his testimony, his service and his art to help bring souls unto Christ.

We wish Brendan the best and welcome him as part of the ProphetPaintings.com family.

Top 10 Reasons Mormons Should Use Ubuntu Linux

Do I think that all Mormons should use Linux? In a short answer yes, however, I think that all people should you Linux. The purpose of this article is to show why Linux is a great alternative to Windows for people of the LDS persuasion.

1. More secure – People of the LDS faith don’t want garbage from the internet in their home using a good Linux distro such as Ubuntu will help aid families in this quest.

2. Indexing – Indexing is a way to make public records available in a digital format for genealogists since indexing is Java and Java is built right into the operating system it is a perfect fit for doing indexing in secure fast environment you just have to download the Java based application and program from the family search website save it to your desktop and you can index today.

3. Children – Children who browse the internet often will get viruses on the computer. Many Mormon families have a lot of children. Using Ubuntu will help make sure that your computer is virus free.

4. You can search for Kolob – Ubuntu comes with free software I personally love to download new applications for free. They have many applications that show star charts these are quite fun to look at the creations of God.

5. Get out of debt – Why buy a brand new computer only to have it slow down within a week of its first use? Computers are really cheap in today’s world. Go find a neighbor or a friend who has a computer that has some nasty virus on it that is a year to two years old and install Ubuntu on it. They will probably sell it to you for a 10% of the price they purchased it for and you will have a lightning fast computer for relatively cheap. I went to a computer warehouse and purchased a computer and a flat screen monitor for about $130 and installed ubuntu myself. When you are buying a new computer you are often paying for the operating system. Ubuntu is free!

6. Education – I can’t believe the amount of educational software that is available all for free! There are educational games, space demonstrations, typing lessons, and so much more.

7. Tux Paint – My little 3 year old made a picture for his me (his daddy) and printed it out for me using a program called Tux paint. These programs will teach computer skills to children early on.

8. Family History – Have you ever wanted to edit photos of Uncle Jim, or put together family histories with graphics? Well ubuntu comes with free software that you can do that with. Again there is no cost.

9. Wine – If you still need to run certain programs like your scriptures or genealogy program no problem, Wine is a program that allows you to run windows programs on your ubuntu computer. Mormons have been told to stay away from alcoholic beverages but in this case I think it will be okay.

10. Just plain better – Sometimes things in life are just plain better this is one of those times.

I run my entire business using Ubuntu Linux, I sell LDS art at http://www.prophetpaintings.com

Looking for a specific LDS painting of Christ as Baby with Tribal Cloth

I received and inquiry from a lady who is looking for a specific painting. This painting was in the Ensign or New Era a few years back however, the online versions of the church magazines don’t show the original artwork. if anyone knows where this painting is please contact me at support@prophetpaintings.com this art can probably be found in a December or November edition of one of the Church magazines. Below is a letter and description of the painting.

Thanks for your help.

Dear Brother Bowen,

Since you are involved in LDS Art, I thought you might know of a painting I saw – I could swear it was a church magazine-   of the infant Jesus in swaddling clothes, but the swaddling clothes (as explained in the caption) were the striped pattern of cloth symbolizing the tribe of His lineage.  It was a beautiful painting!  But I’ve written the Church magazines and without more information, they could not help.  Any ideas where I might turn to find this painting? Thanks so much!

I was glad to find your website – I have a very large print of the original prophets in the temple – it’s very outdated now, tho!  But still love the concept of them all together : )

Sincerely,

V. Taylor

George D. Durrant – Artist

I am an avid reader of LDS church literature. When I was a kid a read a book by George D. Durrant. I met Brother Durrant recently and he spoke to me of his interest in getting his own artwork out the general public. He painted a beautiful water color painting of the America Fork Temple called “Houses of the Lord” I am excited to present this painting to others.

Houses of the Lord by George D. Durrant

New Painting by Doc Christensen – Sacrament Meeting

Doc Christensen has done it again with a wonderful new painting called “Sacrament Meeting“

This painting is quite different than most LDS art and the other paintings by Doc. This painting helps members of the Mormon faith remember the true meaning of the Sacrament. Doc said that this painting came to him while he was sitting in sacrament meeting in his own ward. He gives complete credit to his Heavenly Father for inspiring him.

Sacrament Meeting by Doc Christensen

Prophet Paintings Discovery

When I was serving as a missionary for the Mormon church in Florida, I became fascinated with LDS (Latter-day Saint) media. I collect everything from books, videos, and pictures to film strips and old documents. I began to notice more and more things that I had never noticed before. One painting in particular stood out to me. I saw a LDS painting that was showcasing all of the LDS prophets from Joseph Smith to, at the time, Gordon B. Hinkley. When I got back from Florida and went back to private life, I was excited when I found out that my brother was engaged to the daughter of the artist who painted that particular picture. When President Hinkley passed away in 2008, I wondered how the artist was going to add President Monson to the the painting. I was excited when soon after President Monson was ordained the prophet he was included in the painting, I never did ask him how he did that but I still think that it was pretty amazing. For more information about the Prophet Paintings and other LDS artwork, please visit http://www.prophetpaintings.com.

Prophet Painting Referred to in the Last Post

LDS Prophets Painting in the Salt Lake Temple

While I was on my mission I remember the reverent feeling that I felt when I saw this painting. I saw it in the halls of an LDS chapel in Florida. LDS art can bring the spirit of peace in our lives. For more information about this painting and others please visit http://www.prophetpaintings.com

Urban Legends in LDS Art

Yesterday I went to the library. I have not been as often as I used to because now we have two children. Since I live in Utah, the Library has a large section dedicated to LDS books. I found a book that I thoroughly enjoyed call “Mormon Myth-ellaneous” by J. Michael Hunter. This book explores Mormon myths. Since I started www.prophetpaintings.com, I have been more keenly aware of LDS art. I wrote an article posted on Ezines about LDS art history entitled “LDS Art- a Brief History” which can be found at http://ezinearticles.com/?LDS-Art-A-Brief-History&id=3620478. In the article I talked about Harry Anderson, a painter commissioned by the LDS church, who was not a member of the church but a Seventh-Day Adventist. I have great respect for the Seventh-Day Adventist faith as I knew many while serving as a missionary. In the “Mormon Myth-ellaneous” the author talked about Harry Anderson and the the urban legend that he and the church had a disagreement on whether or not to place wings on the angels in his famous second coming painting. According to the book this was not the case and he already knew about the church’s position on the matter prior to painting it (Mormon Myth-ellaneous Page 86 – 87).

The book also talks about an urban legend involving Del Parson who painted the most widely accepted painting of Christ. There are many rumors that his painting is the most accurate painting, and that a girl who had lost her parents and become bitter had a change of heart during the unveiling of the painting because she recognized Him as the person who had been with her the night her parents died. Nice story however, according to the book the story is a mixture of several real experiences combined and embellished. Del Parson and his family are trying to get away from the story as they say it never happened.

I have studied urban legends for years, in particular Mormon urban legends. This book was a real treat and it was even cooler that the topics at hand fit with my new website.

For some great LDS art please visit http://www.prophetpaintings.com if you have questions you can always email us at support@prophetpaitings.com

LDS Art Found at Deseret Industries

While at Deseret Industries the other night, my wife and I had a spectacular find. We found 3 volumes of “Church History” from 1964 in excellent condition for being almost 50 years old. These were actually copyrighted by President David O. McKay. This piece of LDS art is an excellent treasure. I am an avid collector of LDS media and church history items. What a find.

Box of Church History Filmstrips

Record and Filmstrip

Record and Film Canisters

For more LDS art and church history please visit our website http://www.prophetpaintings.com

Portrait of the Prophets – The Story

“I was getting ready for bed after a hard day and suddenly in my mind’s eye I saw all the presidents of the church gathered together in the celestial room and the Savior was instructing them,” recorded Doc Christensen, LDS illustrator, in October 1978.

No other illustrator had yet attempted a portrait of all the prophets of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in a setting like the Salt Lake Temple.

The first version of the painting was completed when Spencer W. Kimball was a prophet, but was also different from the contemporary version because it had all the prophets sitting with the Savior instructing them in front.  The painting took two long months to complete, and then Doc sent a print to President Kimball as a gift.

Sadly, the painting was returned with the answer that there was no appropriate place to display the painting.  In the six months following the event, Doc came to an understanding concerning President Kimball’s decision, and decided to repaint the picture with only the prophets.

With the debut of the painting, “Portrait of the Prophets,” in 1979, Doc also made his debut in the LDS community as an artist.

Portrait of the Prophets

A Day at the BYU Aquarium and Looking at Mormon Art

My wife and I decided to go to the BYU aquarium which was not all that amazing, I wrote an article about it on ezine articles at http://ezinearticles.com/?Brigham-Young-University—BYU-Aquarium&id=3766948, however, we also went to the bookstore at BYU campus. I love BYU, I only had the opportunity to go there for one semester, I graduated from Utah Valley University.

Since I created the website http://www.prophetpaintings.com I have noticed LDS art more and more. We looked all over the BYU bookstore, we noticed that none of the paintings that we offered on our websites were at the BYU bookstore, however, they do have other more traditional Mormon Art.

We also had the opportunity to go to Deseret Book, which had many paintings, some of which were framed. A common theme in LDS Art right now is patriotism.

While we were waiting at the Stake President’s office, we saw art all over the walls which helped alleviate the stress of having an unexpectedly long wait to speak to the stake president.

Passing of my uncle

Usually I post something relevant about LDS art or other information, however, my Uncle Scott passed away. I was unable to post at our usual time as I was attending the funeral. Prophet paintings is now on twitter @prophetpainting we will continue to post information on LDS art and other Mormon pop culture. For most current information on the LDS art community you can visit our articles http://www.prophetpaintings.com/articles-prophet-paintings

Filmstrips Found

I received a phone call from a lady the other day who said that she had some “Book of Mormon” film strips that she wanted to send to me. She read my article on EzineArticles called A Forgotten LDS Art – Film Strip. This nice lady told me that she was going to send them free of charge. I was surprised. She told me that she had a feeling that she should send it to us. I have been collecting LDS media and other LDS art and LDS artwork for years now, that is why I started the website http://www.prophetpaintings.com.

I think that I might be the only person who remembers film strips. I used to use them in my Sunday School class when I taught the 10 – 12 year old Valiant Boys in my last ward. I will post pictures of them if you have questions feel free to let me know.

Gallery of Doc Christensen’s Artwork LDS Art

We hope you enjoy the art of Doc Christensen, he paints LDS art from paintings of the prophets and missionaries and home and family.

New Painting by Doc Christensen – Mountain of the Lord – Salt Lake Temple Art

Visit prophetpaintings.com for the newest art of Doc Christensen http://www.prophetpaintings.com/store/18001/product/019-1

This beautiful painting of the Salt Lake Temple shows the saviors face looking down upon the temple. This would make a great gift for anyone. We are excited and pleased to carry this paintings on our website. This is a wonderful piece of Salt Lake Temple art.

New Relgious Children’s Book Added to www.ProphetPaintings.com

A new children’s religious book has been published and is now available on the website http://www.prophetpaintings.com the book is entitled “I Have Faith” Book 1 in the I Will Follow Jesus Series Contains 24 original illustrations Includes sheet music to original song “I Will Follow Jesus”

This Christian Children’s Book is the first in a newly released series designed to teach young children gospel principles in a simple, meaningful way. This book is exclusive to www.prophetpaintings.com and cannot be purchased in stores. “I Have Faith” is available in softcover, 8 ½ by 11 inches in size. The type is large, and each page contains a simple phrase to help young children who are learning to read.

LDS Art and Media – Updating Your Library

I received a comment the other day on my post about the filmstrips that were found at Deseret Industries. It got me thinking about the best way to update ward libraries. I actually have no authority to speak on the matter as I am not a Stake President, or General Authority to make that call. However, I will discuss how to preserve your own LDS library and how to find what you are looking for.

Now that DVDs have taken over, the church no longer produces VHS tapes. Much of the Latter-day Saint films have been converted to DVD but many have not. One fortunate thing about finding LDS VHS tapes is usually they have not been used too much and they have been in controlled environments. The main collection you will want to try to find if you are interested in finding these treasures are the 27 volume LDS film set, usually Deseret Industries will be your best bet. Sometimes you can find them on eBay but they can be quite expensive, at Deseret Industries they are 50 cent – 1$ per tape. Make sure that you store the tapes in a cool dry room, basements tend to work best.

Finding books is not that challenging, members of the church are always selling books, checkout garage sales, and again Deseret Industries.

You can often find filmstrips at Deseret Industries too, however, find a filmstrip projector can be challenging, eBay is the market place to find a film strip projector, you may also want to purchase a white screen, however, the walls of your home work too.

You can make LDS media a part of your home, you can make your library better than any ward library if you choose to, the main thing is to have fun and enjoy the taste of Vintage Mormonism.

For more LDS art visit http://www.prophetpaintings.com