By Bonnie Gangelhoff

ART EDUCATION: Bachelor of fine arts in illustration from Brigham Young University, Provo, UT. Master’s degree in fine art from Laguna College of Art and Design, Laguna Beach, CA.STYLE: Narrative realism.MOST INTERESTING THING ABOUT THE WAY YOU WORK: It takes me a long time to get a painting from concept to completion. It usually takes several months.SECOND-CHOICE CAREER: Cowboy.BEST ADVICE RECEIVED: Paint what you know. I’ve heard this from mentors and professors through the years.CREATIVE SPARK: It usually comes from stories, watching people, and observing how they interact with each other. I’m also inspired by a good movie with a good plot. I’m a big fan of Alfred Hitchcock movies.ONE THING MOST PEOPLE DON’T KNOW ABOUT YOU: I lived in Brazil for two years.FUTURE GOALS: I plan on teaching full time and continuing to paint. Right now I’m teaching drawing part time at Brigham Young University.PRICE RANGE: $200 to $8,000.REPRESENTATION: www.michaelsparker.com.

Featured in our annual “21 Under 31” issue in September 2010