By Ethan Fausett
Library of Godwin is a Latter-day Saint artist with a unique art style inspired by deeply symbolic medieval art. He recently produced an illustrated Book of Mormon. We ask him about how he came to this style of art, how the gospel inspires his art, and other exciting and interesting topics.
What was it that led you to this style of art?
I lived in Italy for a few years when I was a kid, surrounded by the most magnificent studies to reach—me especially. We need to be immersed in the Book of Mormon and really seek to understand what it’s trying to tell us as a covenant people. The cover I designed may seem strange to some, but it is inspired heavily by the Book of Mormon’s emphasis on covenants and their symbols. I didn’t expect this to be the case, but I found my mind constantly drawn to the temple as I worked. The Book of Mormon is a sacred temple text in my eyes.
Do you use spiritual tools like prayer and scripture to inspire your work? If so, how?
I started each week’s illustration by looking at the chapters for Come Follow Me and trying to pinpoint one subject (even sometimes just one verse) that I felt deserved to be highlighted. It was a very spiritual process for me. Then, once I started, I either put on some sacred music or scripture-related podcast and let myself get lost in it. I’ve spent many hours drawing while listening to Ward Radio and others. I do get into this very spiritual meditative state when I’m working. I reach a point where I’m so focused on these details that the back of my mind opens up to impressions. Drawing is the way I best channel personal revelation.
Where did you learn your style of art?
I developed a lot of it on my mission during rainy p-days or evening journal times. I had some Bible art on hand so I would try to practice and imitate the techniques of the masters. It was a good way for me to meditate on my spiritual questions as well. Once I came home, I kept working out my specific style, and now I feel I’ve settled in a good place that is authentic to my vision.
What do you personally hope people will get out of your illustrated Book of Mormon?
Above all, I hope it helps bring people into the text more deeply. Sometimes we get a lot more out of a familiar subject when we try a new perspective, and that’s what I’m aiming for. I wanted to tackle events, subjects, and characters in a way that hadn’t been done before by the popular LDS artists we know and love.
I’ve been watching some amazing videos on The Book of Mormon and its connection to the temple and to the ancient world. I hope my art can help others dive deeper into the richness of the text.
I also hope it helps us continue to develop and own our religious culture. If we in the younger generations don’t contribute to the artistic culture of our faith, we lose our connection to it. We need to constantly be generating an impactful artistic vision for our beliefs.
Do you have any other future projects that people should keep an eye out for? Where is the best place for people to follow you to see your work?
I’ve got lots of things planned for the future, including next year’s Come Follow Me. New ideas are constantly hitting me. I’ll be focusing on the events of the Restoration as well as the doctrines it has brought us. Some of my most popular work is actually the projects I’ve done outside of the Book of Mormon, like my illustration of cosmology or the Plan of Salvation. I make time for these side projects where I can.
The best place to see all my work is on my website, libraryofgodwin.com, or my Instagram, library_of_godwin.
The views expressed by contributors do not necessarily represent the position of Ward Radio News. Ward Radio News is not affiliated with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (the Church) and does not officially represent the Church.
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