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President Boyd K. Packer
Photo from LDS Church News
Current president of the Quorum of the Twelve, Boyd K. Packer, has enjoyed creating works of art since his childhood.
"His artistic impulses first drew him to the birds and wildlife that were native to the woods and wetlands outside his hometown of Brigham City, Utah," a Church News article reveals. "Young Boyd Packer sketched insects, farm animals, and waterfowl on discarded scraps of papers. He taught himself how to carve horses and big game from wood salvaged from packing boxes."
Eight decades later, and President Packer is still at it. Check out some of his breathtaking works below, and don't miss his beautful book The Earth Shall Teach Thee: The Lifework of an Amateur Artist.
Live in Utah? You can always go see the permanent display of President Packer's art in the Bean Museum at BYU.
Pair of Lazuli Buntings with Iris. Photo fromThe Earth Shall Teach Thee: The Lifework of an Amateur Artist.
President Packer's painting and sculpture depicting the two workhorses from his timeless general conference talk “The Bishop’s Team.” Photo from LDS Church News.
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.The Earth Shall Teach Thee: The Lifework of an Amateur Artist.
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. The Earth Shall Teach Thee: The Lifework of an Amateur Artist.
President Boyd K. Packer's woodcarving “Male Blue Jay on Norway Maple Leaves.” Photo from The Earth Shall Teach Thee: The Lifework of an Amateur Artist.
Detail from President Boyd K. Packer’s 1991 woodcarving “Broad-Tailed Hummingbird with Indian Paintbrush.” Photo from LDS Church News.
See more of President Packer's art in this online gallery.
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President Henry B. Eyring
Particular to watercolor, President Henry B. Eyring is also known for his talent in drawing.
“Hal particularly enjoyed drawing and painting as he traveled,” his biography, I Will Lead You Along, explains. “He took postcard-sized art paper and, while waiting in an airport or taking a private moment in the home of a generous host, would capture a scene of an intriguing place or person. On a long trip, Kathy and the children might receive one of these original postcards in the mail. Upon his return home, Hal would send a similar custom-made thank-you note to his host.”
He's also been known to sketch during meetings. Look at some of his sketches and water color paintings below, and see more of his art in this online gallery.
This painting of the garden tomb is simply beautiful. President Eyring has said, “When you get a watercolor working right, the feeling of illumination is like a deeply spiritual thing.” Picture found in Presideny Eyring's biography, I Will Lead You Along
If you’ve never sat in the front at a Stake Conference, take a look: this sketch depicts Elder Eyring’s view of the congregation from the stand. It was drawn after his call to apostleship. Picture found in Presideny Eyring's biography, I Will Lead You Along
Many of President Eyring’s sketches simply reveal his everyday life from his perspective, like this doodle of the view from his workroom. Picture found in Presideny Eyring's biography, I Will Lead You Along
This watercolor of the Hawaiian surf captures the motion of the waves near a small beachfront structure. Of President Eyring's paintings, President Uchtdorf has said, "By painting these things, [President Eyring] showed me that he related to other parts of the world in a very deep, spiritual, emotional way." Picture found in Presideny Eyring's biography, I Will Lead You Along
A sketch of President Eyring's father. Picture found in Presideny Eyring's biography, I Will Lead You Along.
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Elder Richard G. Scott
About 50 years ago, Elder Richard G. Scott went with his wife, Jeanene, to visit a friend and commercial artist.
"It was fascinating to me," Elder Scott told the Church News. "I decided I wanted to try that. I did, and I was not very successful. Then I heard of an art teacher who was coming to town. I took four lessons from him, which equipped me with greatly improved skills and understanding about art."
As the years have gone on, he appreciates the creative process of painting more and more. "I've found that when you're doing something like painting, a creative part of your brain opens; you gain insight and perspective about many things. For me, painting clears my mind. I think we discover we're capable of things we've never dreamed of," he said.
See for yourself what Elder Scott has accomplished through his endeavors to learn watercolor:
The model for Little Daisy Girl is the daughter of Elder John B. Dickson of the Seventy and his wife, Delores J. Dickson. Photo from LDS Church News.
"Chinese Man" was painted for President Gordon B. Hinckley because of his love for Asian people. Photo from LDS Church News.
African Plain conveys the presence of beauty even in desolation. Photo from LDS Church News.
Bolivian Boy at the Fence is based on a boy Elder and Sister Scott met while traveling in Bolivia. The boy had a severe skin disease with sores all over his face; his eyes were painfully closed. Elder Scott gave the boy his sunglasses to help ease the pain. Photo from LDS Church News.
Painting titled "Barns," captures a setting in rural Maryland. Photo from LDS Church News.
"Campfire at Sunset" conveys peace and comfort through obedience to the teachings of the Savior. Photo from LDS Church News
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