G.A. Johnston Memorial Scholarship

I first fell in love with watercolor through grief. In the middle of loss, when emotions felt too heavy for words, and memories seemed impossible to hold onto, watercolor became the one place where I could let everything exist honestly. Pigment spread unpredictably across paper, colors bled into one another without control, and every brushstroke seemed to mirror the fragile, unfinished nature of healing itself. What began as a way to process pain became a passion. I realized watercolor was beautiful not because it was perfect, but because it embraced imperfection, vulnerability, and emotion naturally. For me, painting is more than creating images. It is a way of preserving memory and healing in forms that words cannot fully capture. My intended career path is in large animal veterinary medicine and sustainable livestock agriculture. I have always been drawn to caring for animals because the work demands patience, compassion, resilience, and empathy. In many ways, watercolor painting and veterinary medicine are connected. Both require careful observation and the ability to look beyond what is immediately visible. Painting has strengthened the same qualities I hope to carry into my future profession: gentleness under pressure, attention to detail, and compassion even during life’s most difficult moments. The portrait watercolor was inspired by grief following the murder of my nephew. I intentionally painted the figure with unfinished edges and dissolving brushstrokes because grief itself never feels complete. Some memories remain painfully sharp, while others fade softly with time, much like watercolor spreading across wet paper. The contrast of warm earth tones and cool blues reflects the tension between sorrow and peace. More than anything, this painting became a way to give shape to emotions too heavy for words alone. The floral watercolor was inspired by resilience and transformation. Flowers are often viewed as delicate, but I see them as symbols of survival because they continue to bloom despite storms and harsh conditions. Unlike the portrait, which reflects loss and remembrance, the flower represents healing and renewal. The flowing petals and layered colors symbolize growth after hardship and the belief that beauty can still emerge from pain. Together, these paintings tell the story of who I am becoming. One reflects grief, while the other reflects healing. Both remind me that even life’s hardest moments can create something meaningful, and that true strength often reveals itself quietly through compassion, resilience, and the courage to keep growing.

I absolutely love painting with watercolors! I started out playing with watercolor when I was 10 years old. I was incredibly inspired by my mother, who also has a passion for watercolor painting, and who put me on the path towards seriously developing my talent. When I started out, I was not confident in my abilities, but to me, watercolor is forgiving and confidence-building. They say that “practice makes perfect” and it turns out it is actually true! The more that I practiced with watercolors, the more that I fell in love with the way that I could make the paint flow on the paper, creating the color blends and textures for my illustrations. My passion lies in whimsical art, delicate and beautiful. I have been called an “egg-shell artist” before, which perfectly describes my style. I rely on the defining lines of deft pen strokes to outline my paintings, and I leave the color and styling up to the watercolor portion of my composition. I love how watercolor can add so many moods to a composition piece, changing the feel of the painting based just on how the paint lands on the paper. Now, nine years later, I have the confidence to pursue my dream of obtaining a bachelor’s degree in Art Illustration. I am learning so much about paint, color, and how it all works together to become a piece of art that people cannot help looking at and loving. Out of all the media that I use for my major, watercolor is still my media of choice, and my hope is to someday illustrate children’s books that I would have wanted to read as a child. I am so excited to see what I can do with this major, and to continue thriving in my watercolor journey!

As I sit here, brush in hand, I am transported to a world of color and imagination. Watercolor painting has been my passion for as long as I can remember. The way the colors blend and flow together, creating a unique and beautiful masterpiece, is truly magical. My love for watercolor painting began when I was just a child. I would spend hours upon hours painting in my backyard, capturing the beauty of nature on my canvas. As I grew older, my passion for painting only intensified. I began to experiment with different techniques and styles, constantly pushing myself to create something new and unique. Now, as I look towards my future, I know that I want to pursue a lifestyle in the arts. I want to share my love for watercolor painting with the world, to inspire others to see the beauty in the world around them. Whether it be through teaching, creating my own art, or working in a gallery, I know that I want to spend my life surrounded by the beauty of art. Attached are two samples of my watercolor paintings. The first is a painting of a sunset over the ocean. The vibrant oranges and pinks of the sky blend seamlessly into the deep blues of the water, creating a sense of peace and tranquility. This painting was inspired by a trip I took to the beach with my family. As I watched the sun set over the water, I knew that I had to capture that moment on my canvas. The second painting is a portrait of my grandmother. She has always been a source of inspiration for me, with her kind heart and unwavering strength. I wanted to capture her essence on my canvas, to create a lasting tribute to the woman who has meant so much to me throughout my life. The soft pinks and blues of the background complement the warm tones of her skin, creating a sense of warmth and love. In the end, my love for watercolor painting is not just about the act of painting itself. It is about the way that art can capture the beauty and essence of the world around us. It is about the way that art can inspire us, move us, and bring us together. And it is about the way that art can change the world, one brushstroke at a time.