Blanche Johnston - Artist in Residence for July

Blanche Johnston is a professional artist living near Beaver Creek SK. She creates using a variety of media, including acrylic, oil, watercolour, and dry media to create layers of smooth and impasto textures on a variety of surfaces and has a separate practice of encaustic painting in the summer months. Her work is inspired by the landscape and florals, portraying a curiosity about place and time. She believes that art consciously and unconsciously fills a liminal space between past and present, here and there, you and me, and often thinks about the people who walked before, the layers of life working underneath the images she paints – a kind of historical underpainting.

Formally educated with a Bachelor of Science in Physical Education and the University of Saskatchewan Art and Design certificate, she spent many years working as a therapist and educator in chronic disease management. Blanche is a member of CARFAC as well as numerous public galleries in Saskatchewan and is a working member of “Iris” a local art

group. She has exhibited her work in solo and group exhibitions across the Province and has also led art workshops in various locations. She is also involved with many local art shows and supports community programming by matching businesses with exhibiting artists. Blanche is represented by Dandelion Gallery in Saskatoon.