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Altavista artist opens show at YMCA
Friday, October 3, 2008 3:03 PM EDT
An artist whose paintings are familiar in the area has some of her work on exhibit at the Altavista Area YMCA.
Altavista's Bernice Johnson, who describes herself as an "old country gal," has more than 30 oil and watercolor paintings on display throughout the YMCA's athletic center lounge.
The show, which is open to the public, runs through the fall.
Her paintings show the seaside, country scenes, flowers, churches, barns, apples and a house on Broad Street in Altavista.
"I love nostalgic things to paint," Johnson said. That includes old barns and old houses that may soon disappear.
"A lot of my paintings I think people like to look at because it takes them back to a quieter time in life."
A mother of three, grandmother of 10 and great-grandmother of five, Johnson said she loved to draw and sketch while growing up.
However, she didn't get serious about her painting until her children were grown. That was 25 years ago.
She and a friend would ride out into the country and paint. Later, she started taking photos of things in Campbell, Pittsylvania, Bedford and Amherst counties to paint.
Johnson said she was "self-taught" and had enjoyed two one-person shows before taking any lessons.
She'd visit galleries and art shows to look at what other artists had done on canvass. She's since taken workshops and classes.
She paints with friends in Lynchburg once a week and a little at home when it's not too hot or too cold on the porch.
"I paint for the sheer joy of painting. I've never painted to sell. Then it would become a business."
Johnson, who has won awards for her work, has also sold many paintings. Her art hangs as far west as Texas, north to New York and throughout Virginia.
"Of course, my children's homes are filled with them."
Centra in Lynchburg used one of her paintings, a snow scene, for a Christmas greeting card.
Some of her paintings at the YMCA are for sale. Anyone who is interested in one should call her at 434-369-7072.
Johnson said her art ability is a gift from God.
"Everybody has a talent. I'm just thankful God put a paintbrush in my hand."
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