Library showcases paintings

Miriam Ostermann
Times Associate Editor

 

Several years ago, Juanita Thomson won three art classes at a silent auction, during the annual Parade of Nations event in Strathmore. The experience sparked interest and a love for painting, specifically oil painting. Only a few years later, her work is displayed at the Strathmore Municipal Library, an unprecedented event in the organization’s history.
Thomson, whose family order falls in-between her seven artistic brothers and sisters, retired in 2012, after having worked for the City of Calgary for 36 years. She wanted to pick up a creative hobby, so Thomson jumped at the chance to participate in the art classes when the opportunity arose.
“I thought this is something I’d like. It’s relaxing, and I go upstairs and don’t come down for a while,” Thomson said.
“I feel like I’m doing something really creative and I feel like I’m doing something that somebody else can enjoy. I like to see how other people paint and different techniques. I’m just kind of learning oil painting because I didn’t take that in school.”
Thomson’s inspirations stem from images in magazines, flowers in her garden, or random scenery she notices when out and about. While she has donated her work in the past, Thomson was interested in showing her work and was prompted by a friend to approach the library.
“This is the first time we’ve hosted Juanita as an artist here at the library, and from what I’ve seen we haven’t had many artists that use oil as a medium, so that’s a little bit different,” said Carmen Erison, assistant director to library services.
“She has a very classic feel to her art and I think that’s what makes it quite a welcoming addition to the library this month. We’ve hosted a lot of artists here that I can recall that have handled acrylic and photography, but this is the first time I can recall that we’ve had a oil painting artist here in the library.”
Thomson grew up in Bonneyville, Alberta with her siblings and single mother who was widowed at age 39. With most of the family showing some artistic talent, Thomson joked that drawing and painting is a family thing. Having experimented with acrylic and watercolour previously, she started creating oil paintings only three years ago.
Despite her focus on floral and landscape, Thomson has her eyes set on more portraiture and painting Strathmore’s history.
“It’s just starting and I don’t know where I’m going, or what’s going to happen,” said Thomson.
“I’m enjoying it and I’m not going to stop.”
Juanita Thomson’s art is featured at the Strathmore Municipal Library until the end of September.