The Baton Rouge Louisiana Temple is one of a series of detailed pencil drawings and paintings created by Chad Hawkins. Chad started this unique temple series in 1989 at age seventeen, becoming the original LDS artist to involve hidden spiritual images in his artwork. The temple was dedicated on July 16, 2000. It serves 24,000 LDS Church members in the New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Denham Springs, and Monroe Louisiana stakes, as well as a few stakes from Mississippi.

Hidden Spiritual Imagery

Chad Hawkins said this of his Baton Rouge Louisiana Temple Drawing, “As with all of my temple works of art, I include, in addition to the temple, appropriate hidden spiritual images within each drawing. With the Baton Rouge Temple, my goal was to include an image that would encourage members to have a current temple recommend and to visit the temple as often as occasion permits. Among the trees and foliage, I rendered a full-length image of the Savior in the motion of inviting us to receive the blessings found in temple service.”

The post Temple Artwork Spotlight: Baton Rouge Louisiana Temple appeared first on Chad Hawkins Artist Blog.

Hidden Imagery

The Temple is located on stake center grounds close to the major Seward Highway, and is nestled in a grove of trees in a residential area of the city. The Chugach Mountain range is found on the east, and the Cook Inlet is southwest of this area. Ursa Major, or the Big Dipper, and the North Star mark the west side of the Temple as symbols used for the Last Frontier State. Chad subtly placed them among both the distant mountains and trees in this painting. Prominent in the northern sky, they serve as navigational aids, guiding many safely to their destinations. Hence, on the Temple these reflect the great guiding influence of Jesus Christ and His work for mankind.

Additional Imagery

Chad has also sketched an image of the Savior, Jesus Christ, kneeling in prayer in the tall trees and grass on the right of the temple. President Howard W. Hunter counseled, “Let us truly be a temple-attending and temple-loving people. We should hasten to the temple as frequently, yet prudently, as our personal circumstances allow…As we attend the temple, we learn more richly and deeply the purpose of life and the significance of the atoning sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ” (Ensign, February 1995, p. 5).

The post Temple Artwork Spotlight: Anchorage Alaska Temple appeared first on Chad Hawkins Artist Blog.

Drawing Hidden Details

From the temple grounds, visitors are able to see a panoramic view of the Sandia Mountains. Within these mountains, Chad has sketched Jesus Christ, the Good Shepherd, in the mountain, with his flock of sheep in the clouds and among the mountain peaks. Christ is the Shepherd; his sheepfold is the Church of Jesus Christ (see John 10:14). As we attend the temple, we learn more richly and deeply the purpose of life and the significance of the atoning sacrifice of the Lord, Jesus Christ. “He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom . . .” (Isaiah 40:11).

Temple History

In 1846, the Mormon Battalion crossed what is now New Mexico during its historic march to the Pacific Coast from Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. In September 1996, more than 700 Church members in New Mexico joined with government officials in rededicating a monument built to honor members of the Mormon Battalion, who blazed trails through the state 150 years earlier. The twenty foot native stone monument features a plaque with a wagon wheel adorning its top. The wagon wheel on top of the monument has been drawn subtly within this drawing in the lower right corner.

Stay tuned for spotlights of more temples! Get artwork of your favorite temple at https://www.chadhawkins.com/

The post Temple Artwork Spotlight: Albuquerque New Mexico Temple appeared first on Chad Hawkins Artist Blog.

For someone that means a lot in your life, what greater gift could there be than a memorial portrait by Chad Hawkins? These portraits are the perfect way to show how much you care. These gifts can be for birthdays, weddings, anniversaries, missions, and more!

More Than A Portrait

More than just a portrait, these masterpieces are an artistic tribute! Each pencil portrait may include visual themes that pay tribute to a person’s personality, passions, and accomplishments.

What you get:

• 16×20 Pencil Illustration
• 4″ Black frame with gold embellishments
• High-resolution scan of artwork is included
• Additional prints can be ordered
• Portrait ships within just 1 week!

How to Order

To order one of these masterpieces, simply email high quality images of an individual. Also, don’t forget to email images for additional themes in the portraiture. The artist will then get to work and create a masterpiece that will be treasured for years to come. Feel free to contact the Chad Hawkins website with any questions.

Like us on Facebook for special offers and events! https://t.co/30u6aoCX5l pic.twitter.com/rdzyQ1JSlC

— LDS Temple Art (@TemplesLDSArt) March 31, 2015

The post Original Portraits appeared first on Chad Hawkins Artist Blog.

Jordan River Utah Temple Drawing

The Jordan River Utah Temple is one of the many available to put on your personal recommend holder.

The Jordan River Temple, located just south of Salt Lake City, is one of a series of detailed pencil drawings and paintings created by the artist Chad S. Hawkins. In 1989, at the age of seventeen, Chad started this unique temple series becoming the original LDS artist to involve hidden spiritual images in his artwork. In this temple picture, Chad has sketched a portrait of Christ in the clouds, watching over his temple and reminding us of his baptism in the Jordan River of Palestine.

Why You Need a Recommend Holder

Temple recommends are fragile documents that need protection. A personal recommend holder is a fun way to keep your recommend in good shape. You are able to choose your favorite temple from a very broad selection and have it on your case. These recommend holders with temple drawings are a great way to remind yourself what your temple recommend means, and to keep you focused on the temple.

The post Personal Recommend Holders appeared first on Chad Hawkins Artist Blog.

Patriotic Architecture

Chad Hawkins is most famous for his artwork of LDS Temples, but he also has a few pieces of patriotic buildings like this one of the white house. This painting is one of five paintings in an art series called A Rising Sun. The rising sun brings with it the birth of a new day, symbolizing the birth of the United States of America. Each painting in this series captures the rising sun of a new day. The purpose of the series is to create a renewed appreciation and commitment to the constitutional principles that this nation was founded upon.

Constitutional History

This painting, titled The Assembly Room, is also a part of the series A Rising Sun. Notice the presence of the sunrise visible through the windows. The series is meant to emphasize and symbolize the miracle of the constitution, which this painting does quite nicely!

Military Artwork

In 2011 Chad Hawkins earned the prestigious commission to create a masterpiece for the Army War College 2011 graduating class. The painting above is that painting, which also honored the 10 year anniversary of US forces serving in Afghanistan. Chad was also able to have the opportunity to spend some time in Afghanistan while doing research for his publication “Faith in Service” for Deseret Book.

Chad has incredible experience with artwork in general, and his patriotic artwork pieces are truly inspiring! Browse the Chad Hawkins website to see which might make a good addition to your home!

The Salt Lake Temple took 40 years to build. It was dedicated 46 years after its announcement, the same length of time taken to erect the ancient Jerusalem Temple (John 2:20). See the link in bio for Temple paintings, recommend holders, scripture cases and much more! #ChadHawkins #LDSTemples #SaltLakeCity #Mormon #LDS #Art #LDSArt 

A photo posted by Chad Hawkins (@chadhawkinsartwork) on Mar 1, 2015 at 4:44am PST

The post Patriotic Artwork appeared first on Chad Hawkins Artist Blog.

What To Expect

These scripture covers are made from high quality leather. They are very soft and durable. The engravings are burned into the leather. These covers will provide protection to your scriptures for many years to come! All temples are available to choose from. You can also select an option with a temple engraving AND a Christ engraving.

Getting Your Own Scripture Covers

You can get your own engraved scripture covers at the Chad Hawkins website. These scripture covers fit standard sized quadruple combination scriptures (standard size quad is the 13 1/8 x 7 3/8, the actual cover size is (13 7/8 x 8 1/8). The scripture covers are made from buckskin leather with hand stitched edging. Once you order, they will be created and shipped within 14 days. 

The post Engraved Scripture Covers appeared first on Chad Hawkins Artist Blog.