Judy Bjornstad of Preeceville is a hometown woman who has been displaying her artistic talent from an early age.
"As a little girl I used to draw and was encouraged by my mother who said that colouring inside the lines was important," said Bjornstad. "She was one of the main supports for me and with her encouragements I was able to follow my dreams and continue painting.
“Comic books were also very fascinating for me,” she said. “I learned how to illustrate and draw characters by sketching with pencils.
"Growing up, I never had much time to devote to my painting but rather struggled to survive in the real world," she said. "I did get the opportunity to showcase my talent in other methods that included painting windows at car dealerships and large department stores.
“I was allowed to show my creativity while getting reimbursed for my talent.”
Bjornstad had lived “all over the province,” making her way doing odd jobs and painting. She moved back to Preeceville in 2001 when she said she had “hit rough times.”
Soon she got back into painting and drew therapy and comfort from what she had always loved to do.
When she joined the Preeceville art group, she flourished.
“I started painting with water colours, and then I moved on to acrylics, oil paints, pastels and alcohol ink. Alcohol ink is the newest medium I have tried and it involves using a special alcohol to clean up with. I use it for painting tiles that feature landscapes and wildlife and they are all created freehand.
“Portraits are more difficult as people have different ideas and perception of what a subject should look like, so I usually stick to wildlife and landscapes.”
Among the large works she has created is the four-window Christmas scene that decorates the front window of the Home Hardware store in Preeceville. Terry Galandy had contracted her to create it for Christmas.
Bjornstad has also created three large paintings for the Town of Preeceville’s 100th birthday. The paintings featured an elk, a horse and logs and an elderly farmer pitching hay into a wagon. They are currently on display at the Preeceville Library.
“I work in my downstairs office and I also utilize my kitchen floor," she said. "When I paint, I feel free and in my own space. All my problems go away the more I get involved in the painting progress.
“Painting for me offers peace and relaxation and is therapeutic. It helps me feel better about myself."
