It’s never too late to learn to paint.

So discovered Eagle River’s Myrna Johnson about a year ago when she joined a painting group based out of the Chugiak-Eagle River Senior Center.  

Johnson had been widowed for about a year the first time she showed up for the group. She wasn’t sure what to expect – she just knew she needed to find an activity to keep her mind off the death of her husband.  

“I needed something to keep my going and to keep me from thinking of sad things. I always had a desire to learn to paint,” Johnson said. “My kids are grown and gone; my husband was gone. It was time.”

For the month of November, four of Johnson’s paintings hang on the walls of Jitters in Eagle River. Her work is part of a senior citizens’ art show adorning the walls of the popular coffee shop. When she first picked up a paint brush a little more than a year ago, Johnson never thought her work would be displayed less alone for sale.  

But it is.

Her daughters and their husbands and children joined Johnson and other senior painters on Nov. 1 for the opening of the art show. It was an evening of anticipation as members of the painting group saw their work in a new light – a display mode with a price tag. It was an evening of comradery as members congratulated each other on their artistic accomplishments.  

“We all help each other and encourage one another’s efforts,” Carol Warren said. She is a resident of the senior center and enjoys the creative outlet and friendships she has made through the painting group. “We get to spend time making something that is pretty.”

The senior artwork show remains on display at Jitters until the end of the month. Check with the baristas to make purchases of artwork.