Local mother of six is the artist behind many well-known LDS publications

BANCROFT — Mandy Jane Williams is a well-known local artist who has brought to life scripture stories right here in Caribou County.

Williams is known for her temple artwork as well as being the illustrator for “Walking with the Women of the Book of Mormon, New Testament and Old Testament” book series.

Williams was raised as the only girl with five brothers in Darlington, near Arco, with the beautiful views of King Mountain. She remembers growing up in a really pretty area and loved drawing and creating art.

Her parents were always great in encouraging her creative flare and super supportive.

But once in high school she didn’t always have the opportunity to create art. However, her uncle was the welding teacher and taught her to weld birds and flowers out of metal.

As a junior in high school she had the opportunity to take some film classes through an alternative school which really peaked her interest in cameras and photography.

As she entered her college years at Idaho State University, she was able to get her first basic camera and tells how her mom was always telling her to make sure to take some classes that she would enjoy.

So she maxed out her creative side and enrolled in classes like art, painting, drawing, creative process, film class and Photoshop.

After two years of school and not getting a degree, she met her husband, Bryan Williams, and got married. She shares how she lost her first camera while at the park with her baby.

“I know it wasn’t fancy or anything but I was devastated," she said. "I loved that camera. But losing it pushed me to get my first DSLR (Digital Single-Lens Reflex) camera.”

With new camera in hand and many new options to explore, Williams started playing around with taking photos of just her kids.

At the time many new temple artists were releasing photos of temples with some fun antiquing at Deseret Book stores and she thought “I can do that but with my own style.”

She went to work and started playing with textures and styles, using her Photoshop class background.

Williams had since moved to Menan and found some stress had started setting in as the busyness of being a mom to multiple young toddlers, taking photos of families and then adding temple art were added to the mix.

Feeling overwhelmed with guilt if she took time away from her family for her own creative outlets, she chose to involve her Heavenly Father in her work decisions.

Williams struggled back then to balance her artwork with her duties as a mom.

She remembers, “My house was always a mess. I never kept up with housework, etc. All you moms will get it. I remember asking my Heavenly Father, if I can’t do both help me chose. The more I decided to prayerfully decide what projects to take on the calm came. I know these desires of creativity were good and so if it felt right, I would push forward. Once I chose this, all these opportunities came forward.”

She then met Heather Farrell, who writes many books for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Farrell asked Williams to illustrate her books for her.

Williams then moved her family to Grace and then Bancroft where many of her illustrations came to life.

She laughs as she shares memories and stories of how the models for these illustrations came about.

“All are a little different. Sometimes I would be sitting in church and would get the strongest impression to ask someone to model this character," Williams said. "But for the most part, I only asked friends to be the models for the good women of the stories and my family/cousins to model for some of the rebellious ones. I mean how awkward is it to walk up and tell someone ‘You’re perfect for this villain character.’"

Williams has many stories and testimonies of her work to create art. But sharing only to create what she feels right to do so. She often takes a step back to make sure her family knows she’s a wife and mother first.

She knows it’s with prayerful choices that got her where she is. When asked if her kids know how creatively cool their mom is she laughs.

“I think they have a good idea their mom is published," Williams said. "I have taken the older kids a number of times to book signings and they get to meet really amazing people within the community. However, I’m still mom to them so not sure the 'cool' factor is super big with them.”

Williams likes to highlight her role as mother of six over being an artist. Though published and featured in many well-known publications, she says you will usually find her carpooling kids, waiting at practices and music lessons and doing her best to keep up with her family's mountain of laundry.

She smiles and shares “Don’t worry, if your house is miraculously clean, no one will stop by.”

You can find her artwork at www.MandyJaneWilliamsArt.com.