BEMIDJI – “There was a saving grace for me and the passion grew inside of me,” painter Joyce Jackson Arndt discussing her love for art.
Arndt joined Area Voices to talk about her retrospective exhibit at the Watermark Art Center, Ninanda-Minwaajim – I seek to tell a good story.
Arndt’s passion for art came during school from taking art classes. When she got older, she had an encouraging professor.
“I got a professor that told me that if you paint or draw anything two times a day, then you’ll get better,” said Arndt. “And you know what? It’s true. It’s really true.”
Arndt sees inspiration for her art in everything: wooden floors, carpet designs and even knots in trees. She was raised in foster homes growing up. “When it was time to walk away, I decided that I needed a new identity and the identity I chose was an artist,” said Arndt. “Over the years, it inspires me.”
Arndt creates her portraits and murals with watercolors, oils and acrylics, with murals currently on display in Wadena and Detroit Lakes.
As for what she hopes people take away from her art, “I’m hoping that someone will get something out of it, and it’ll make them a better person that day.”
Ninanda Minwaajim – I seek to tell a good story will be at the Watermark Art Center in Bemidji until Nov. 11. There will be a reception on Saturday, Sept. 15 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
To tell us about upcoming arts events where you live in Northern Minnesota, email psa@kaxe.org.
Area Voices is made possible by the MN Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund and the citizens of MN.
