Biographies of Utah
Deaf Artists
Deaf Artists
Compiled & Written by Jodi Christel Becker
Published in 2022
Updated in 2025
Published in 2022
Updated in 2025
Author's Note
I am thrilled to feature the artwork of our Utah Deaf artists on this webpage and provide a brief biography of each of them. Their talent deserves recognition for their artistic talent. I hope you appreciate their art as much as I do.
Enjoy!
Jodi Christel Becker
Enjoy!
Jodi Christel Becker
Virgil Rogers Greenwood
Virgil Rogers Greenwood, a 1931 graduate, drew drafting assignments while he was a student at the Utah School for the Deaf in Ogden, Utah, from 1927 to 1929. He was a talented artist and woodworker who excelled at drafting in school. After graduating in the spring of 1931, Principal Max W. Woodbury encouraged Virgil to pursue an architecture degree at Gallaudet College in Washington, D.C. However, Virgil's father, R.P. Greenwood, declined the suggestion, stating that he needed Virgil to work on the farm. The onset of the Great Depression in October 1929 influenced this decision.
Lucy McMills & Virgil Greenwood, 1930s
Virgil's passion for art began at a young age, and he excelled in it. He created numerous pencil sketches of Victorian women for his mother, Ethel Melissa Rogers Greenwood. He worked with pastels, oils, and watercolors. Roses were his mother's favorite flower, and he painted three oil paintings of roses, which he displayed in her home until her passing. Afterward, he gifted them to his wife, Lucy Pearl McMills Greenwood, who was a Child of Deaf Adults (CODA) and a dedicated interpreter in the Utah Deaf community. Additionally, Virgil painted a mural of Christ surrounded by flowers for the Lomond View Ward of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Regrettably, the church underwent demolition in the 1970s following the removal of the painting.
Virgil's drawing while a student at the Utah School for the Deaf
Over the years, his children inherited Virgil's artistic talent. His son, Timothy David Greenwood, graduated from Ben Lomond High School as a Sterling Scholar, excelling in drafting, woodworking, and art. Virgil's grandson, Jonathan David Greenwood, is a talented artist who excels in various mediums.
Virgil's daughter, Jean Greenwood Thomas, like her mother, a long-time interpreter, had her first memory of her father's painting in a Christmas ornament box. Virgil delicately cut and shaped them into small white doves, hanging them from a string. Jean inquired about the doves with her mother, and Lucy responded, "Your father made those for our first Christmas tree, the year we were married" (Jean Greenwood Thomas, personal communication, December 1, 2021).
The slideshow below contains Virgil's remarkable drafting assignments. Enjoy!
Virgil's daughter, Jean Greenwood Thomas, like her mother, a long-time interpreter, had her first memory of her father's painting in a Christmas ornament box. Virgil delicately cut and shaped them into small white doves, hanging them from a string. Jean inquired about the doves with her mother, and Lucy responded, "Your father made those for our first Christmas tree, the year we were married" (Jean Greenwood Thomas, personal communication, December 1, 2021).
The slideshow below contains Virgil's remarkable drafting assignments. Enjoy!
Virgil Rogers Greenwood's Drafting
Assignments During 1927 & 1929
at the Utah School for the Deaf
Assignments During 1927 & 1929
at the Utah School for the Deaf
Benjamin Davis
Benjamin Davis was born Deaf in 1983 and raised in Salt Lake City, Utah. He also has cerebral palsy. His artistic career began when he was three years old. His father brought home reams of scrap paper from work, on which Benjamin created vast works of art with pencils, crayons, and toy watercolor sets. He did not allow his disabilities to prevent him from developing his artistic skills. He has used art to express himself.
For much of his education, Benjamin attended the Salt Lake City Extension of the Utah School for the Deaf. He studied in the mainstream art classes at Cottonwood High School. He has always been interested in drawing, but through some very talented and encouraging high school teachers, he began to learn how to paint landscapes, seascapes, and figures.
For much of his education, Benjamin attended the Salt Lake City Extension of the Utah School for the Deaf. He studied in the mainstream art classes at Cottonwood High School. He has always been interested in drawing, but through some very talented and encouraging high school teachers, he began to learn how to paint landscapes, seascapes, and figures.
Benjamin Davis
Benjamin has shown remarkable ability in any medium, including oil, watercolor, acrylics, colored pencil, and charcoal. He is also talented in computer art. He is comfortable with any art style, but under the instruction of one of the best-known landscape artists in the West, Bonnie Posselli, he has begun to make a name for himself as an oil landscape artist. He also paints beautiful portraits.
Benjamin continued painting after high school and has exhibited in many places. He entered and won a trip to Washington, DC, to show his art at the VSA International Arts Festival in 2004.
Benjamin continued painting after high school and has exhibited in many places. He entered and won a trip to Washington, DC, to show his art at the VSA International Arts Festival in 2004.
Benjamin Davis painting a picture
He has had his work presented and sold at galleries in Park City and Salt Lake City, Utah.
Beginning in 2012, the Springbok puzzle company marketed Benjamin's Christmas gingerbread house painting as a children's puzzle. Many of his paintings are now on display on his website, allowing everyone to see his talent.
You can find Benjamin's exquisite Web Art Gallery at https://www.benjamindavis.net. This website also provides available purchase information.
Beginning in 2012, the Springbok puzzle company marketed Benjamin's Christmas gingerbread house painting as a children's puzzle. Many of his paintings are now on display on his website, allowing everyone to see his talent.
You can find Benjamin's exquisite Web Art Gallery at https://www.benjamindavis.net. This website also provides available purchase information.
Benjamin Davis' Artwork
Benjamin Davis' Artwork
Benjamin Davis' Artwork
Benjamin Davis' Artwork
Benjamin Davis' Artwork
Benjamin Davis' Artwork
Benjamin Davis' Artwork
Stephanie Gomes Belshe
Stephanie Gomes Belshe
Stephanie Gomes Belshe, born and raised in Salt Lake City, Utah, is an idea girl, an artist, and a Certified Deaf Interpreter. She is married to Robert, a Marvel Comics expert, and is the mother of five caramel-popcorn-eating children and two neurotic but adorable dogs. Throughout her childhood, mainstreaming was her norm, and she attended public school. She eventually relocated to New Mexico, where she completed her high school education at a public school. In 2006, she earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in illustration from the University of Utah.
Stephanie has been drawing since she was a child, as soon as she could pick up a pencil. She had set herself the goal of becoming an artist, and she has succeeded. As she grew older, she earned a couple of awards in various competitions. She enjoys working with diverse mediums and experimenting with new techniques. Stephanie has designed t-shirts for numerous non-profit organizations and provided artwork to a few others. In addition, she has taken on several commissions from individuals. She's obsessed with Halloween and wants to learn how to make life-size monsters.
Instagram showcases Stephanie's artwork, and she also sells her products on the Redbubble website. You can view her "artsydeafy" account on both Instagram and Redbubble. Take a peek at her amazing artwork: https://www.redbubble.com/shop/?query=artsydeafy&ref=search_box
Stephanie has been drawing since she was a child, as soon as she could pick up a pencil. She had set herself the goal of becoming an artist, and she has succeeded. As she grew older, she earned a couple of awards in various competitions. She enjoys working with diverse mediums and experimenting with new techniques. Stephanie has designed t-shirts for numerous non-profit organizations and provided artwork to a few others. In addition, she has taken on several commissions from individuals. She's obsessed with Halloween and wants to learn how to make life-size monsters.
Instagram showcases Stephanie's artwork, and she also sells her products on the Redbubble website. You can view her "artsydeafy" account on both Instagram and Redbubble. Take a peek at her amazing artwork: https://www.redbubble.com/shop/?query=artsydeafy&ref=search_box
Stephanie Gomes Belshe's Artwork
Stephanie Gomes Belshe's Artwork
Stephanie Gomes Belshe's Artwork
Stephanie Gomes Belshe's Artwork
Stephanie Gomes Belshe's Artwork
Stephanie Gomes Belshe's Artwork
Stephanie Gomes Belshe's Artwork
Erik Jensen
According to Erik Jensen's website, he is a Deaf artist. He graduated from Utah Valley University with a Bachelor of Science in Art Education in 2017. He began making art with computer keyboard keys in 2013, started doing it as a business in 2017, and became a full-time artist in 2018.
When he was first able to pick things up, Erik started doing art. His mother was (and still is!) awesome and allowed him to be free with his creativity, even if it meant big messes. This played a big part in Erik's success throughout his life. In high school, his ceramics teacher supported him through every assignment and more. She even put in her own money so Erik could continue to develop his incredible art skills. His art has won several awards throughout his career, including in high school, college, and at art shows and festivals. In college, Erik submitted two pieces to the annual student art show. These two pieces inspired Erik's initial designs for his art business, computer key art.
You can view Erik's magnificent artwork at https://www.erikjensenart.com. His artwork is available for purchase on this website.
When he was first able to pick things up, Erik started doing art. His mother was (and still is!) awesome and allowed him to be free with his creativity, even if it meant big messes. This played a big part in Erik's success throughout his life. In high school, his ceramics teacher supported him through every assignment and more. She even put in her own money so Erik could continue to develop his incredible art skills. His art has won several awards throughout his career, including in high school, college, and at art shows and festivals. In college, Erik submitted two pieces to the annual student art show. These two pieces inspired Erik's initial designs for his art business, computer key art.
You can view Erik's magnificent artwork at https://www.erikjensenart.com. His artwork is available for purchase on this website.
Erik Jensen
Erik Jensen's Artwork
Erik Jensen's Artwork
Erik Jensen's Artwork
Erik Jensen's Artwork
Erik Jensen's Artwork
Erik Jensen's Artwork
