Leon Parson

About

Leon Parson moved to southeast Idaho with his family in 1954 when his father, Oliver Parson, was invited to start the art program at then, Ricks College, now BYU-Idaho. As a young boy he developed a deep love and insight for wildlife, the outdoors, and all that nature offers. Since early in his childhood, Parson has increased his appreciation for art and biology and has taken that passion into higher education. With nine years of formal art training, he earned three degrees; an Associate in Art and Science in 1974, Ricks College, Idaho; a Bachelor of Fine Art in Illustration, 1977, The Art Center College of Design, California; and a Master of Fine Art in Illustration in 1985 from Syracuse University, New York. For 40 years he was a faculty member of the Department of Visual Art at Brigham Young University-Idaho (formerly Ricks College) in Rexburg, Idaho, teaching: basic drawing, head drawing, life drawing, design & color, illustration and oil painting. He served 6.5 years there as Chairman of the Department. Before retirement he helped co-author two online art courses for the Department. Parson is recognized among the top wildlife artist in the world and has received numerous regional, national and international awards and honors. He is a signature member of the prestigious, SAA (Society of Animal Artists), an international art guild of wildlife artists. Throughout his career, he has produced magnificent works of art that have endured in collectability and popularity, both in illustration, as well as framed fine art and commissions. More than 50 of his paintings and drawings have become limited edition lithographs and giclées. His artwork has been featured on the covers of over 100 wildlife, hunting, and religious magazines and publications. He was commissioned by the United Nations to design 4 of their postage stamps. In addition to painting wildlife Leon has produced scenic paintings for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints that include: the murals