News Release

Artist In Residence Jonathan Lisonbee at Bighorn Canyon

Jonathan will be giving demonstrations on water color techniques on May 3rd.

Painting by Jonathan Lisonbee

News Release Date: April 11, 2019

Contact: Christy Fleming, 307-548-5406

Jonathan Lisonbee will be the first of four Artists In Residence at Bighorn Canyon this year.  He will be on site from April 22nd to May 6th.  He will conduct a painting demonstration on Friday, May 3rd , from 3 – 4:30 pm.  He will share some basic watercolor and cliff painting techniques.

Jonathan was born and raised in the small farming community of Scipio, UT. He started drawing as soon as he could hold a crayon. He drew every chance he got; in school, on the bus, even in church. “It was mostly superheroes and spaceships when I was a kid, although I also loved drawing the animals and nature scenes from the mountains around my little community. I was fortunate that my parents and family encouraged my art development along the way,” Lisonbee said. 

He won several awards for his work through his school years. He worked his way through Dixie State in St. George, UT in the advertising department of the local newspaper where he learned graphic design.  Jonathan graduated with an Associate of Arts degree in Fine Arts. He was accepted into the prestigious Art Institute in Salt Lake City, UT, where he served as Communications Chair of the Student Chapter of the American Institute of Graphic Arts (AIGA). He graduated from The Art Institute Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science degree in Graphic Design. 

Upon graduation, Jonathan got involved with the American Conservation Experience (ACE) working on several environmental causes and moved back to St. George to work with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to raise awareness of some of our National Conservation Areas. Many of the interpretive panels that he designed still mark the trailheads in St. George.

Jonathan has illustrated two children's books and won a Mark of Excellence award for a run of political cartoons. Recently he made watercolor his focus of interest as it is a medium that makes him feel the most free and expressive. “This is my second Artist Residency with the National Park Service. My first residency was with Padre Island National Seashore in Texas where I spent a couple of wonderful months painting mostly ocean scenes and marine life. I am now very grateful for the opportunity to further sharpen my skills in the breathtaking and diverse scenery of Bighorn Canyon,” Lisonbee said.  

Jonathan currently resides in Salt Lake City, Utah, where he continues to farm. He enjoys spending time with family, road bicycle riding, hiking, camping, playing guitar, painting and going to rock concerts.