Utah
Utah artist delivers portraits to families of Uvalde shooting victims
Estimated learn time: 4-5 minutes
UVALDE, Texas — A Utah artist lately took a life-changing journey to a small Texas city to make a particular supply for residents who’re nonetheless recovering from a horrific mass taking pictures.
JR Johansen, 78, painted portraits of all 21 ladies and kids who have been killed within the assault and personally delivered these work to every one of many victims’ households.
On Might 24, 2022, a lone gunman entered Robb Elementary Faculty in Uvalde, Texas, and killed 19 kids— simply 9, 10, and 11 years previous — and two of their lecturers.
13-hundred miles away within the small city of Huntsville, Utah, Johansen watched that story unfold.
“It simply broke my coronary heart,” stated an emotional Johansen. “I believed, oh if I simply weren’t so busy. I might love to color a portrait for his or her dad and mom as a result of I consider it will carry them consolation.”
Seems Johansen’s brother and sister-in-law, Ross and Jolene Davidson, lived in Uvalde. They have been on a management project by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Weeks after the taking pictures, Ross Davidson known as his brother in Utah.
“Have you ever thought of you may be capable to paint a portrait of those that have handed away? And I may hear him break into tears in his voice as he stated that it has been on my coronary heart and thoughts as nicely,” Davidson stated.
“I stated nicely, you are the reply as a result of I have been eager to do it and did not know the way I might do it with the schedule I’ve,” Johansen stated.
For years Johansen has painted missionaries from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who misplaced their lives whereas serving. He is donated these portraits to their households. Thus far, he is carried out over 150 missionary portraits.
“I’ve skilled fairly tender moments, portray missionaries who’ve died,” Johansen stated.
However by no means had he undertaken a undertaking like this. The Davidsons gathered the photographs and bios from the Uvalde sufferer’s households and despatched them off to Johansen. His first two portraits have been carried out in August.
On Wednesday, Jan. 25, Johansen arrived on the Salt Lake Metropolis Worldwide Airport with two huge wrapped bins that learn, “Uvalde Kids Portraits, Extraordinarily Fragile.”
KSL-TV’s Dan Rascon and photographer Tanner Siegworth traveled with Johansen to Uvalde for an unique behind-the-scenes look as he handed out the portraits to the households inside Davidson’s residence.
There have been loads of tears and emotion as dad and mom, grandparents, and different members of the family picked up the portraits and noticed their family members come to life on the canvas.
Phrases like, “thanks a lot,” “you captured him so nicely,” “it simply spoke to me,” and “I simply love her a lot” may very well be heard.
“It appears stunning. I find it irresistible,” stated an emotional Evadulia Orta, mom of 10-year-old Rojelio Torres. “It exhibits me him. That is how I noticed him. I will put him in my lounge and see him on daily basis.”
“That is Nevaeh. She’s my daughter. She was 10,” stated a tearful Maria Garcia. “For these previous eight months, it has been actually arduous. As a lot as I attempt to be actually robust, however every time it will get more durable and more durable. However I’ve to be robust as a result of I’ve three different children.”
“That is Xavier James Lopez,” stated an emotional Amelia Sandoval as she appeared on the portrait of 10-year-old Xavier. “It is stunning. It is superior. He actually captured him. Simply his eyes and mouth and nostril.”
Having them come right here and be capable to meet so a lot of them was only a monumental second in my life.
–JR Johansen, Utah artist
Sandoval too is having a tough time shifting ahead. “Rethinking the day time and again. It performs again in our minds time and again. Should preserve ourselves busy to not rethink about it,” she stated.
“It means lots seeing her. Seeing her smile, seeing her face, like she’s nonetheless right here,” stated an emotional Dora Mendoza about her granddaughter, 10-year-old Amerie Jo Garza.
A visit and a second in time Johansen stated he’ll always remember.
“Having them come right here and be capable to meet so a lot of them was only a monumental second in my life,” Johansen stated tearfully.
Rascon is placing collectively a 30-minute documentary on the “Uvalde Angels” that can air on KSL-TV throughout Basic Convention weekend which is scheduled to happen April 1 and a pair of.