Moapa Valley Progress

Artist Starr Abbott, mother of Logandale resident Raina Stump, stands by her recently finished painting at an open house unveiling event held at the Heritage Center in Enterprise, Utah on July 23.

Logandale resident Raina Stump and her family travelled recently to Enterprise, Utah to attend a special open house event for the unveiling of a long awaited painting by her mother, the nationally known artist Starr Abbott. The open house event was held on July 23 at the Heritage House in Enterprise. The work received an enthusiastic response from the large crowd that filed through the event, Stump said.

The painting, entitled The Resurrected Christ, was commissioned by an entrepreneur, patron and collector of fine art, and lifelong member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS). The anonymous patron plans to eventually donate the painting to the Church.

The large scale painting measures 5 ft wide x 8 ft. high. It a depicts a dramatic scene from the Book of Mormon where the resurrected Jesus, while ministering to a group of children, is suddenly encircled by angels from heaven.

Abbott used many family members and friends as models for people in the painting, Stump said.

“She used her grandchildren, my kids, in the painting,” she said. “My husband is in there and me as well. She also included her deceased husband James Douglas Merkle.”

The painting has been a 10 year project for Abbott. Through that extended time, Abbott experienced many life changes that, no doubt, had an influenced on the work, Stump said.

“During that time her father passed away, her husband died and more recently she suffered a broken elbow which had an extended recovery,” Stump said.

“Hours and hours of work, dedication, pondering and studying this particular scripture passage are depicted in the meticulous strokes, the colors and shades of light and the layout and composition of this painting,” Stump said.

Starr works in the style and technique of the Flemish Old Masters, using layers upon layers of rich oil paints, Stump said.

Abbott has received national awards and has shown her works across the country. Her artwork is available for viewing and purchase at www.starrabbott.com.