Howard Lyon is an artist that was born and raised in Mesa, Arizona. He is the youngest of five children. Howard had very supportive parents, who even when he was very young, made sure he had the materials and education to hone his talents. While attending high school Howard met his wife, Shari Lunt. They now have three children and reside in Utah. Howard began his career studying illustration at Brigham Young University working with artists such as Robert Barrett, Don Seegmiller, James Christensen and Greg Olsen. Over the past 20 years he has worked in the video game industry as an Art Director, concept artist and freelance illustrator. For much of his career he has painted dragons and trolls or scenes from science fiction. His work can be found in products from Dungeons and Dragon’s books, World of Warcraft cards, Magic the Gathering and Star Wars. He has studied art in Italy, France and most recently at the Grand Central Academy in New York. He has recently combined these experiences to switch gears and expand his subject matter to create inspirational pieces in the style of some of his favorite old masters: William Bouguereau, Lawrence Alma-Tadema, and John William Waterhouse. Awards: Howard’s painting “From Fear to Faith” won a Merit Award in the 26th Annual Spiritual and Religious Art of Utah Exhibition. It was one of 6 pieces chosen out of 200 as the viewer’s Choice Award as part of the 9th international religious show at the LDS Church History and Art Museum. About 1200 pieces were submitted and less than 200 were accepted in this show. This piece has also selected as a finalist in the figurative category for the 2012 Art Renewal Salon. His painting, “Mary Kept These things and Pondered them in Her Heart”, won an Honorable Mention in the 2011 summer Oil Painters of America Online Showcase Competition. Howard’s “Thread of Faith” painting won an honorable mention at the 2012 “Light of the World” Art show held at Thanksgiving Point in Lehi, Utah. It also won a Merit award in the 2014 Praiseworthy Arts Easter Show “Lift Up Thine Eyes”. “Living Water” won the Award for Exceptional Merit in the International Artist Competition 2011 at the Wee Gallery of Fine Art Howard recently finished two large 15 foot murals that have been hung in the new Gilbert, Arizona Temple Baptistery. He is currently working on a piece for the baptistery of the new Provo City Center Temple as well.