Springville Herald | Posted: Wednesday, September 20, 2006 11:00 pm
Springville artist Robert Marshall is shown here with two of his grandchildren, Ethan and Haley, children of Dr. Kyle and Misty Marshall of Springville. He let them put some brush strokes on the huge mural he painted for the Sacramento LDS Temple. Marshall recently completed artwork for the book, "Sweetwateer Rescue: The Willie and Martin Handcart Story," that went on sale this week.
Springville artist commemorates pioneers' sacrifice
Almost two years in the making, a sesquicentennial tribute to the heroism, vision and sacrifice of the Willie and Martin Handcart Companies is nearly complete. "Sweetwater Rescue: The Willie and Martin Handcart Story" was begun by documentary filmmaker Lee Groberg and author Heidi Swinton in 2004.
What was then only an idea, is now a PBS documentary, a book with numerous works of original art, and an art exhibit to display the newly crafted masterpieces.
Springville resident Robert Marshall is one of the artists commissioned to paint artwork for the book, "Sweetwater Rescue: The Willie and Martin Handcart Story," which went on sale in bookstores September 19.
The book contains 80 works of art by 43 artists, detailed maps, rarely seen pioneer photos, journal entries and historical accounts. Members of the rescue party, the Willie and Martin Handcart Companies, and the Hunt and Hodgett Wagon Companies are also listed.
Marshall said he tried to understand the thoughts and feelings of the handcart pioneers so he could better portray their hardships. He described painting one of the farms left behind in England. "I expect the journey West was very difficult, almost impossible at times, so I wanted to paint the farm how they would have remembered it. It looks very pastoral basking in the light of the late twilight hours."
Another of Marshall's paintings, depicting a fatherless family pulling their handcart, shows the "ability of women and children to carry on," he said.
The Sweetwater Rescue documentary will debut on KBYU Sunday, Oct. 1, at 7 p.m., followed by a national PBS release December 18. The documentary will be available on DVD September 27.
The original art pieces featured in "Sweetwater Rescue: The Willie and Martin Handcart Story" will be displayed at the Museum of Church History and Art and the Museum of Utah Art and History in a unique simultaneous exhibit from September 29 to October 31.
The Museum of Church History and Art will continue exhibiting this series until January 2, 2007.
Marshall recently completed the largest project he has ever attempted, doing a mural for the just dedicated Sacramento, California, LDS Temple. That work is 7 feet tall and runs continuous 30 feet down one side, 27 feet along the back wall and another 30 feet up the other side for a total of 87 feet!
Marshall said that he actually painted it in the soundstage at the Brigham Young University Motion Picture Studios. "The mural was then taken to California where it was installed in the temple." he said.
Marshall spent 10 months painting the mural. After receiving word that he would be doing it, he spent four to five days driving in the ever-widening circle around the temple property and throughout the temple district.
"I was intrigued that multiple rivers seem to descend from the Sierra's and converge in the Sacramento delta. Those waterways nourish the surrounding farms and orchards. I determined to use the metaphor to confirm that Jesus Christ is also referred to as 'Living Water.' I combined imagery from the mountains where snow begins to melt and become small streams, to larger rivers and then to lakes and reservoirs before continuing to the ocean," said Marshall.
"The season depicted in the mural is early spring, and birds and animals indigenous to the area are implying another cycle of life. Hopefully those who attend the temple will sense a celebration for the intrinsic beauty of their specific locale and, by extension, a heightened appreciation for the incredibly beautiful planet we live on and the love that God has for each of his children."
Marshall said that he wants those attending the temple to "feel at home physically and spiritually."
Marshall also assisted five other artists on one of the Nauvoo Temple murals. He is a Professor of Visual Arts at BYU and an award-winning, nationally recognized, landscape wartercolorist; his present works are predominantly done in oils.
This story appeared in The Springville Herald on page A1.