Melissa’s Studio - Message for
November, 2008


             Majella
with her painting
of an old mill  near McCall, Idaho.


Majella Evalone Tyra Johnston

1919 – 2008

 
My mother had an art degree and taught me to look at the world through artist’s eyes. She also played the same classical LP every night for years during my childhood as I went to sleep. It was a “Stereo in Hi Fi” demo album which had been sent to the Lewiston Morning Tribune, where my father was Managing Editor. No one else wanted it, so he brought it home. Looking back, I see that it was her moment to be an adult after the kids were in bed. It instilled in me a lifelong love of classical music and I think back to childhood every time I hear one of the pieces on that recording.


Majella and me at University House Residents' Art Show
with her portrait of Allen as a child.



L to R,  Steve, Melissa, Oz and Allen.

.


Majella's carvings of
Lil' Ozzie and a baby bird.


Majella on family farm, age 18 - Majella in her Seattle yard, age 81

The Rhubarb Queen - Still a Little Tart after all these Years




  She was a student of many diverse topics, from art to gardening to history to politics to word origins; buying books and faithfully adding notes in the margins, multiple bookmarks and tucked in articles about the subject or the author which spanned decades. Those of us lucky enough to get some of her books will have years of little messages from her as we look up information the old fashioned way.
 

Majella, sainted daughter-in-law Nancy and her twin Bob at the Seattle Greenlake Lumineria Christmas Walk.

I say again what I said at my father’s memorial services – I feel so lucky to have been born into this particular family.  And my brothers and sisters in law and step kids and grandkids have become even more precious now.  This morning it came into my head that I now see the world through my eyes and hers – for her.
 
You had a great run, Old Lady. I could do a helluva lot worse than to turn out like you. Thanks for everything. “You done good.”
 
Your Daughter-Person

melissa


Majella's carvings of me and a crouching cat. For a woman who didn't especially care for cats, she sure carved some great ones. When asked why carve a cat she said, "Because that's what's in the wood."





Majella with my dear friends Ann Scherrer and Nancy Webster at my art show at Jules Gallery
 in the Pearl District, Portland.








Own the DVD

Also check out more of my earlier work and bio @ 
Empowerment4Women

Art Lesson #1 – Getting Started:
Don’t be Scared!

Art Lesson #2 – Art Journaling:
Are we having Fun Yet?

Art Lesson #3 – A "Grid" Time
Will be Had by All

Art Lesson #4 –
The Yellow Line Project

Art Lesson #5 –
Break It Up!

Art Lesson #6 –
Definition Painting,
Step by Step





We now have the ability to show your travel journal pages or your own sun designs in our guest book.

 If you have a digital camera, it's easy to share.

 Also many of the sun designs seen here are available to buy as sturdy travel mugs.

Just click on  Special and scroll down a bit.