Larry's Blog

Here is a painting I made just for fun. I panted it last March.

12" x 16" Signed, Limited Addition

Young Girl in the Garden. I am making 50 signed prints available, size 12″ x 16″. Click here for more information.

I like reading my self-help books in the form of Novels. That way I don’t get bored. There is nothing like a good story to drive home a point. It’s like a spoon full of sugar makes the medicine go down.

At times I did wonder if I was wasting my time reading these books. There are five books. It was too interesting, these magic tools that were introduced. But the books did me good because it was a way to force those old neurons in my brain to think outside of the box. Also there were a few real life tips that helped me.

The story is about two siblings, 13-year-old Kendra and 11-year-old Seth Sorenson, who visit their grandparents’ huge estate. They find out that their grandparents are caretakers of preserve. The preserve contains about every kind of mystical character you have ever read while growing up: fairies, witches, demons, goblins, etc. These creatures are not nice, most of them. Seth keeps breaking rules or getting suckered into some scheme by these creatures and causes huge huge HUGE problems! But then sometimes he does some risky things that end up saving the day. I’ve done that. I mean I’ve trusted in the wrong people and have ended up causing huge problems.

“Shake it off,” the friends of Seth say. Don’t beat yourself up. It was not all your fault. So Seth would formulate a plan and go on living his normally happy boy life, a little wiser and more respected by the demons in his life.

The coolest magic tool came in the last book, Keys to the Demon Prison.

Cover of book, Keys to the Demon Prison

Seth got a sword that, when he wielded it, infused him with invincible courage and strength to cut through any demon that stood in his way so that he could reach the really big bad guy and destroy him. I thought, hmmmm, I’m going to imagine I have a sword like that and lose my fear and just do what I need to do and get past the demons that are holding me back and start getting things done.

Fablehaven was written by a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, sometimes known as Mormon, after an ancient Prophet in about 500 A.D. somewhere in the America’s.

Because many of the truths taught by Christ were lost during the dark ages, and because people are taught line upon line until they are ready for more knowledge, God has again called prophets. He has organized his kingdom. He has revealed wonderful truths that are like that sword mentioned above. We are taught that we are children of God, created in his image. Before we were born we were spirit children of God, and walked and talked with God, and he walked and talked with us. We saw that he had a body of flesh and bones, and we desired to be like him and took the risk to be born and lose our memory of our past life so that we could learn to grow through faith.

Because we are children of God, we have our agency to progress and learn to live in harmony with others and to become like him.

God has restored the power of the priesthood. Everyone is called to serve if they wish to. It is a way to help us to learn as we serve others. It all is a great way to raise a happy family in these troubled times, while making a positive difference in the world.

Vernal Temple. Original Watercolor By Larry Maddocks

I painted this in honor of my great-grandfather, William Smart. As the Stake President, the construction of the Vernal Tabernacle was under his charge. Years later, when it was remade as a Latter-day Saint Temple, our family sang for the visitors as they waited in line for the Vernal Temple open house.

After enjoying this for many years above my mantel, I am going to give someone else a chance to enjoy this beautiful painting.

Wedding Portrait Painting

I have decided to include my portrait business on this blog. I have painted many portraits and every one of my patrons are very pleased. Please click here or on the picture to get more information.