Lars Justinen was born near Seattle, Washington in 1955, the son of a naturalist father and high school art teacher. Lars’ first paintings were used to raise money for missionaries overseas. Over the years he has painted thousands of paintings for publications and galleries. Lars’ philosophy of art begins with the Book of Genesis - "Man was made in God's image," he observes, "and the first thing we learn in the Scriptures is that 'In the beginning God created.' To create a painting is, in many ways, a spiritual undertaking, because we mirror God's creative power. It is also a fulfilling and joyous process. I believe it is important to remember that all talent, energy, and opportunities come from God, not from us." Today Lars, his wife Kim, and their two children live in a remote fishing village in the Pacific Northwest where they enjoy country living and creative pursuits.