Joel Kirk Richards (born 1976) is an American artist who specializes in Judeo-Christian themes.
Richards was raised in
Provo, Utah
Provo ( ) is the fourth-largest city in Utah, United States. It is south of Salt Lake City along the Wasatch Front. Provo is the largest city and county seat of Utah County and is home to Brigham Young University (BYU).
Provo lies between the ...
. He studied at
Brigham Young University
Brigham Young University (BYU, sometimes referred to colloquially as The Y) is a private research university in Provo, Utah. It was founded in 1875 by religious leader Brigham Young and is sponsored by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day ...
under Bruce Smith,
Hagen Haltern,
Gary Barton,
James Christensen
James C. Christensen (September 26, 1942 – January 8, 2017) was an American illustrator and painter of religious and fantasy art.
Christensen was born and raised in Culver City, California.Taylor, Scott and Walch, Tad"Of fantasy and faith: L ...
,
Wulf Barsch and
Joe Ostraff. He served a two-year mission for
the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, informally known as the LDS Church or Mormon Church, is a Nontrinitarianism, nontrinitarian Christianity, Christian church that considers itself to be the Restorationism, restoration of the ...
(LDS Church) in Italy. He later studied under Patrick Devonas in New Jersey.
Richards and his wife Amy Tolk are the parents of four children.
Much of Richards's work focuses on the life of Jesus. Another of his works is "The Carriers", which relates to the rescue of the Martin Handcart Company.
Sweetwater Rescue article on "The Carriers"
/ref>
Richards's images were included in Helen Whitney’s 2007 PBS ''Frontline'' documentary entitled "The Mormons (documentary), The Mormons". Publications that have used Richards's artwork include the ''Ensign (LDS magazine), Ensign'' and ''Liahona (magazine), Liahona'' magazines, ''BYU Studies'', and the interdenominational ''Upper Room'' magazine.
Richards's work has been shown at the Springville Museum of Art; the Renaissance Center Juried Show in Nashville, Tennessee; the Provo Arts Council Freedom Festival Fine Art Exhibit; the Bountiful/Davis Art Center; at Southern Virginia University as part of its Annual Shenandoah Invitational Art Show; at the Robert N. & Peggy Sears Dixie State Invitational Art Shows in St. George, Utah; and the Museum of Church History and Art.
References
Bella Mesa Gallery bio of Richards''Mormon Artist'' article on RichardsDeseret Book listing for RichardsArtfullhome bio
*[http://www.ldstoday.com/archive/news/jkirkrichards.htm ''LDS Today'' article on Richards]
''UVU Review'' article on an exhibit of Richards' work''Mormon Times'' 23 september, 2008
{{DEFAULTSORT:Richards, J. Kirk
1976 births
American Latter Day Saint artists
Latter Day Saints from Utah
American Mormon missionaries in Italy
Brigham Young University alumni
Living people
20th-century Mormon missionaries