When Frances Johnson retired during the COVID-19 pandemic, the longtime Coquitlam resident suddenly found herself with a lot of time on her hands.
Her daughters encouraged her to try new things, so she picked up a paint brush and started to create.
"I've always been interested in capturing the world and life around me through photography, but I hadn't really tried painting before," she told the Tri-City News.
Using acrylic paints, Johnson replicated on her canvases the natural landscapes around the Tri-Cities, paying close attention to the green hues of the trees.
"Coquitlam is beautiful and I love painting what I see here," she said.
This weekend, the self-taught artist will show and sell some of her pieces that highlight the region at the fall exhibit of the Coquitlam Art Club, a group based at the Dogwood Pavilion that Johnson joined in January after seeing its autumnal display last year.
Held in the Centennial Room at the pavilion (1655 Winslow Ave.), the club will showcase the artworks of about 40 members.
And an entire room will be dedicated to pieces with lakes, rivers, waterfalls and oceans in the province as part of this year’s theme of "Waters of B.C."
Johnson said the show and sale is a good way to pick up original art and to see the talent of the club members, who meet on Wednesdays at the pavilion.
"I am so grateful to the members of the Coquitlam Art Club for the friendship, support, advice and encouragement they provide," she said.
Admission to the Coquitlam Art Club’s fall show and sale is free. It runs on Saturday, Nov. 25, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday, Nov. 26, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
There will be live artistic demonstrations and free draws for artwork.
