About Del Parson:

Del was born in Ogden, Utah and grew up in Rexburg, Idaho, where his father was an art professor at Ricks College. He is one of nine children, three of whom became professional artists.
Parson attended Ricks College and later Brigham Young University (BYU), where he received a B.A. in Life Sciences in 1972 and a Master of Fine Arts in drawing and painting in 1975. Parson was a gallery and portrait artist before becoming a professor of art at Dixie College in 1988. There he was awarded the Teaching Excellence Award from the Utah College Council in 1990.

After the death of his wife, Joycel, and oldest daughter in a 1978 car accident, Parson felt inspired to begin painting primarily religious subjects.

In 1983, he was commissioned by the LDS Church to paint "Christ in Red Robe," his first portrait of Jesus, which has since been used in many church materials. This portrait is the subject of popular Mormon folklore, with claims that Parson produced the work under the direction of church general authorities, who suggested how to make it more accurate, until it was deemed the closest resemblance of Jesus Christ.

In April 2011, the biographical film "Del Parson: Portraits of Love" premiered on BYUtv.

Parson lives in Cedar City, Utah with his wife, Lynette, and his six children.

"When you feel inspired a painting takes on a life of its own. When that happens, the experience is pure joy. It is moments like these that an artist loves best." -Del Parson