Living Waters Original Artwork

12 X 12 Oil on Canvas

In June of 2006 I had been painting hard for a year on the Rexburg Idaho Temple mural and was needing some reference photos to fill in a space that had been left blank to accommodate windows. At the same time, I was very tired and really, really needed a break. I had just purchased a new camera and decided to go to one of my favorite spots to see if I could get what I needed. There is a very lovely stream of water on top of the Teton Pass on the Jackson Wyoming side, that falls and meanders into little pools, rivulets, and waterfalls.

This was the first time I had used the camera and was excited to get started. The day was perfect, the sun just right, the wildflowers were all in bloom, and the water was crystal clear. It was mid-morning by the time I arrived. I could not believe how perfectly beautiful everything was, almost magical. I began shooting and climbing, shooting and crossing the creek and then shooting again; I sometimes just stood in the water. I continued hiking upstream until I was way past any place I had been before, but the feeling of being up high in elevation was so refreshing and invigorating...! Eventually I came to the point where the stream was so small there was nothing to photograph. At that point I just continued hiking up until I could see all across the valley below. The break from painting was so rewarding and energizing, I really needed it.

When I returned home and put the SD card into my computer, I was totally blown away with the absolutely radiant images that I had captured. They were perfect for what I needed to put into the mural. I also used some of them for significant areas in the Calgary Alberta, and Rome Italy murals. Interestingly, the 7’x 10’ cut out piece of canvas was stretched and framed and is now hanging in the Twin Falls Idaho temple.

It took over 15 years before I had a window of time to do anything more with them. The painting Living Waters is the result of the hike, and time, to photograph one of the Savior’s choice little streams of water that in my mind could appropriately be called “Temple Creek”, with at least, one person that does not take it for granted and just drive by.

Leon Parson is a celebrated wildlife and religious artist known for his masterful ability to capture the spirit of nature and faith in every brushstroke. Raised in Idaho and deeply inspired by the outdoors, Leon’s art blends technical excellence with emotional and spiritual depth. He spent 40 years teaching art at BYU–Idaho and has created murals for temples around the world, including Rome and Calgary.

A signature member of the Society of Animal Artists, his work has graced over 100 magazine covers and been featured in limited edition prints collected worldwide. Leon’s passion for observing wildlife and reverence for the divine infuse each painting with life, wonder, and testimony.

Leon is also the brother of renowned religious artist Del Parson. 

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