Painting by Jonathan Lisonbee/NPS.
Jonathan Lisonbee will be the first of four Artists In Residence at Bighorn Canyon this year. He will be on site from April 22nd to May 6th and conducting a painting demonstration on Friday, May 3rd, from 3 – 4:30 p.m. Drawing on his own personal style, Lisonbee will share both basic watercolor and cliff painting techniques.
Lisonbee was born and raised in the small farming community of Scipio, UT. He started drawing as soon as he could hold a crayon, and continued to draw every chance he got; in school, on the bus, even in church. “It was mostly superheroes and spaceships when I was a kid, although I also loved drawing the animals and nature scenes from the mountains around my little community. I was fortunate that my parents and family encouraged my art development along the way,” Lisonbee said.
He won several awards for his work through his school years, and eventually worked his way through Dixie State in St. George, UT in the advertising department of the local newspaper. After graduating with an Associate of Arts degree in Fine Arts, Lisonbee was accepted into the prestigious Art Institute in Salt Lake City, UT, where he served as Communications Chair of the Student Chapter of the American Institute of Graphic Arts (AIGA). He graduated from The Art Institute Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science degree in Graphic Design.
Upon graduation, Lisonbee became involved with the American Conservation Experience, working on several environmental causes and moved back to St. George to work with the Bureau of Land Management to raise awareness of National Conservation Areas. Many of the interpretive panels that he designed still mark the trailheads in St. George.
Lisonbee has illustrated two children's books and won a Mark of Excellence award for a run of political cartoons. Recently he made watercolor his focus of interest, as it is the medium that makes him feel the most free and expressive. “This is my second Artist Residency with the National Park Service," Lisonbee explained, "My first residency was with Padre Island National Seashore in Texas where I spent a couple of wonderful months painting mostly ocean scenes and marine life. I am now very grateful for the opportunity to further sharpen my skills in the breathtaking and diverse scenery of Bighorn Canyon."
Lisonbee currently resides in Salt Lake City, Utah, where he continues to farm. He enjoys spending time with family, road bicycle riding, hiking, camping, playing guitar, painting, and going to rock concerts.
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