‘It all came together’: St. George award-winning painter writes, illustrates her first children’s book

Written by Jessi Bang
September 29, 2022

ST. GEORGE —Inspired by breathtaking moments throughout her life along with the paint strokes of other artists, a St. George painter who has established a name for herself in the community has finished writing and illustrating her own children’s book.

Torie Denning stands next to some of her paintings, Washington, Utah, Sept. 1, 2022 | Photo by Jessi Bang, St. George News
Torie Denning stands next to some of her paintings, Washington, Utah, Sept. 1, 2022 | Photo by Jessi Bang, St. George News

The first time Torie Denning remembers feeling a sense of awe and bewilderment, she was sitting in a church class around 5 years old. As she watched a tiny girl reach over and braid another girl’s hair, she couldn’t take her eyes off it. 

“I was amazed,” Denning said. “I was watching how she did it, the pattern to it. That’s the first time I remember having that feeling of, ‘Whoa, I have to try that, I gotta do that.’ And I think that’s just been a real part of my personality.” 

Growing up, Denning said she had a love for art, crafting items with her hands and sketching pencil drawings. Around the age of 14, she stumbled into an art gallery and found herself awestruck by the paintings and the familiar feeling of amazement took over.

“When something is really striking to me, I like to take it apart and ask myself what’s speaking to me,” Denning said. “Is it the brushstrokes? Is it the colors?”

A painting by Torie is shown, Washington, Utah, Sept. 1, 2022 | Photo by Jessi Bang, St. George News
A painting by Torie Denning is shown, Washington, Utah, Sept. 1, 2022 | Photo by Jessi Bang, St. George News

Her sister, an interior designer who worked on a home at the Parade of Homes one year, showed her paintings by local artist Jeff Pierre. As she stared at the paintings, she said she was awestruck and inspired by his powerful brushstrokes. Her grandmother, who also was a painter, encouraged her talents and gifted her various art supplies over the years.

“I’m just the kind of person where it’s not hard to take my breath away,” Denning said. “It’s like, ‘Oh my gosh, I love that.’ I just get drawn in.”

She continued her love of art by taking a painting class at Utah State, which focused primarily on portraiture. When she and her husband moved to Layton, she continued her education at Brigham Young University, where she began painting landscapes. After graduating from BYU in 2012, she put on her own art show as a personal college farewell, which showcased around 20 of her paintings.

Art by Torie is shown, Washington, Utah, Sept. 1, 2022 | Photo by Jessi Bang, St. George News
Art by Torie Denning is shown, Washington, Utah, Sept. 1, 2022 | Photo by Jessi Bang, St. George News

“I went home and I just cried,” Denning said. “I cried because everyone was so kind and supportive and I sold so much work. I was just grateful because I had never sold paintings before.” 

Many of Denning’s paintings can be identified by their bright colors and impressionistic styles, with a block style that results from square brushes.

Prior to taking time off to have a baby in February 2020, her art was showcased at the Arrowhead Gallery. She has won many awards for her art, such as Best of 2D at the St. George Art Festival and Best of Show in Color Explosion by the Southern Utah Art Guild. In 2021, she put on a charity art show and all proceeds were donated to school lunches for kids, as reported by Cedar City News.

“The experiment of my paintings, the experiment of what they are teaching me and where I’m going with it is always more important than making a sale,” Denning said.

Tori Denning's art work is seen on a bison on the Utah Tech campus, St. George, Utah, date unspecified | Photo courtesy of Torie Denning, St. George News
Tori Denning’s artwork is seen on a bison on the Utah Tech campus, St. George, Utah, date unspecified | Photo courtesy of Torie Denning, St. George News

In 2017, Denning was commissioned to paint one of the first bison at Utah Tech University. A new concept at the time, she said she was excited to be a part of it and completed the front and back of the piece with latex and acrylic on fiberglass.

As for new endeavors, Denning said she just finished writing and illustrating her first children’s book, “Ardis,” which premiered at the Zion’s Bank third annual Southern Utah Art Show last Thursday, along with her paintings and prints. 

 “I’ve always wanted to do writing, or a children’s book, that’s always sounded fun,” Denning said. “When I started it, I kept shelving it because I got excited about other projects. It’s really fun to see it all come together.”

 For more information on Torie Denning and her art, visit her website, or find her on Facebook and Instagram.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jessi Bang was born and raised in Utah and has a passion for nature and the great outdoors. She graduated from Kaplan University in California with a degree in criminal justice. She has extensive experience in marketing, content creation, photography and copywriting. You can find her showcasing outdoor adventures through her blog, “The Rambling Raccoon.” In her free time, she enjoys climbing mountains, trail running, working out and cuddling her two lovable pups.

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Twitter: @STGnews

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