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NORTH SALT LAKE — Precious memories and people are immortalized in the form of charcoal in Lena Phillips' art.
Phillips has enjoyed creating art since she was a toddler, and her passion was fueled in high school when her art teacher helped her explore a variety of mediums and assisted her with competitions.
"He taught me how to be creative and to make my visions come to life," Phillips said. "It's incredibly rewarding and fulfilling to see a blank paper transform into a piece of art."
The artist became serious about her work when she became a stay-at-home mom and desired a creative outlet.
Using charcoal, she creates beautiful art featuring families and loved ones who have died. She also does wedding portraits, pictures of people with Jesus Christ and special events within The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, including baptisms and priesthood ordinations.
The artist called these pieces she draws, "moments that are wanting to be, not only documented, but cherished and preserved."
The artist gets the most requests for her Proclamation Portraits, which features a couple or family within the LDS document, "The Family: A Proclamation to the World."
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She also draws portraits onto LDS Church hymns.
"I think it is a wonderful way to incorporate the love of your family and the love of the gospel all into one meaningful piece of art," she said.
Phillips said it is her testimony that has inspired her to create this religious art.
"I use my art as a way to bear witness of things I know to be truth," Phillips said. "To offer comfort to those who stand in need of comfort, to use my time and my talents to better myself and my brothers and sisters around me, and most of all, as an extension of his love for his children."
While drawing subjects who have died, Phillips has had many spiritual experiences.
"I know that our loved ones are not far after they are gone and they are aware of the loved ones that they leave behind," Phillips said.
