Mormons prominent in western art world

In the Doctrine & Covenants the Lord says that all things are spiritual.LDS western artist Clark Kelly Price takes that passage to heart as he says: \"The Lord tells us to pray always; everything is spiritual to him.\"

Price added, \"I ask the Lord every day to help me paint the best that I can.\"

Several dozen western artists are Mormons, and Santaquin, Utah, resident Jim Norton, a former president of the Cowboy Artists of America, says that wherever he goes he is asked the question, \"Why are there so many artists that come out of Utah?\" His answer: \"I think it is because of the culture. There are a ton of western artists that come from Utah.\"

Price, who holds a bachelor of arts degree from Brigham Young University, now resides in Star Valley, Wyo. He is a member of the prestigious Cowboy Artists of America, which counts only about two dozen artists.

Cowboys are his favorite subject to paint — perhaps his personal experience working on ranches as a teenager has given him an appreciation and feel for the cowboy life.

He tells of one experience out on the range: \"I remember sleeping out with my stake president when he was 72 years old.\" Price described having just a small bedroll and using their saddles for pillows.

He said, \"There are so many things we talked about around the campfire. It was an experience I'll never forget. He told me things you just don't get in church.\"

Not that he advocates any new church meeting procedures, but his experiences have shaped his paintings. He is well known for his portrayals of cowboys in everyday life. \"Some yesteryear,\" he said, \"and some today.\"

Making a living from art is the goal of every artist. Both Norton and Price have been fortunate to do so for some 30 years. Another LDS western artist who has found success in painting is Gary Carter. He was inducted into CAA in 1982, one month after his conversion to the church.

Since that time he has served as bishop in West Yellowstone, Mont., and currently is the gospel doctrine teacher. He is taking some time off from painting due to an injury. \"I got in a horse wreck,\" he said. It was during a trail ride in June with other CAA members including Norton and Oreland Joe, a Native American member from New Mexico who also broke his wrist on the trail ride. Said Carter, \"We gave him a priesthood blessing.\"