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Kenvin Myers Lyman

April 14 1942 - Feb 6 2011

Born in Payson Utah

Kenvin Lyman 1942 ~ 2011 Kenvin Lyman, artist, musician, farmer, cook and bon vivant died in Salt Lake City on Feb. 6, 2011 at the age of 68. He passed away peacefully as a result of injuries sustained in a fall at his beloved Avenues cottage. He was born Kenvin Myers Lyman in Spring Lake, Utah on April 14, 1942 to parents Grant and Elizabeth Lyman and grew up on the family ranch. Kenvin graduated from Payson High School and later from the University of Utah with a Master of Fine Arts. He married Linda Lesher in 1962. They had three children and were married 17 years. Kenvin was a true renaissance man; a light show artist, commercial illustrator, singer/songwriter as The Utah Kid, commercial organic farmer and cookbook author. A man of many accomplishments he was, in the end, content to call himself a bohemian; a generous and free spirit who nevertheless gave much to his friends and the world. He is survived by his wife Sofia; sister Jennie Ruth Alvey (husband Ron); brothers Fred, Jay, Brent (wife Susan) and Ross (wife Amy); children Bowen, Peter, Angelina; grandchildren Elizabeth, Orion. A celebration of Kenvin's life will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 8 at One Mind Studio, 216 W. Paxton Ave. (1170 South), Salt Lake City.

Published in Salt Lake Tribune on Feb. 8, 2011

His genius for gardening, food and wine emerged as a late addition to his résumé. Lyman, who earned a master's in fine art from the University of Utah, began his career as a visual artist.

By the late 1960s, he had co-founded two pioneering light-show companies: Flash & Edison Visuals, with photographer Mikel Covey, and in 1967, Rainbow Jam, with artist and filmmaker Richard Taylor. "It was a very artistic experience — doing art in real time," Covey remembers. "Nobody had seen anything like it."

Taylor and Lyman toured extensively with Rainbow Jam, "painting with light" for major bands, including Santana, Commander Cody, Ike and Tina Turner, Jethro Tull and extensively with the Grateful Dead.

As graphic artists they created rock posters now prized by collectors. "We were, very specifically, the pioneers of the psychedelic era in Utah," Taylor said. "Kenvin and I did 90 percent of the posters for the bands of that time. "

After touring the West Coast, Lyman and Taylor tried their luck in Los Angeles. Taylor settled into the scene and became a commercial and special-effects director, but Lyman didn't like the pace.

"He loved the mountains. He loved Utah," says Taylor, who created a multimedia show for Lyman's wake. "Those values were deep in his heart and he drew inspiration from them. His art and imagery reflect that."

Lyman continued to make forays into art and visual production centers, taught at the Kansas City Art Institute and traveled extensively with his wife, Sophia Angkasa (the namesake of his potato recipe).

"He lived in the same house all his life," Covey said. "He was an eclectic person with eclectic interests. An artist, a chef, an organic farmer, a raconteur, an illustrator with an international clientele. He did all of those things from Salt Lake City."

In fact, Lyman has two major projects expected to be completed this year.

First up, as The Utah Kid, Lyman recorded a music album with his old band.