By Scarlett Johnston
As a native of Purvis, Mississippi, I consider myself a bit of a country girl. I went on to attend Mississippi College and graduated with a bachelor of science in nursing. I have lived in the metro area for many years and love living in Madison with my family.
Growing up, I was uniquely shaped by strong, gifted, godly women. I spent many summers at my grandparents’ home in Thomastown, Mississippi, surrounded by my aunts, mother, and grandmother, all of whom enjoyed discussing the Bible and singing hymns. We would go on nature walks and pick zinnias from the garden. My imagination was captured by the beautiful countryside and orchard at the top of the hill.
Looking back, I realize how much my talents were embraced and encouraged by these women. Music and the arts have always been part of my life. My mother sings and plays guitar, and my dad is a gifted writer and artist. As a child, I remember him painting the most beautiful watercolor landscapes. Most of my extended family are also very musical.
I too inherited the musical gene and have enjoyed singing throughout my life at various festivals and events. I recorded a few country songs as a teenager and was in The Naturals while at Mississippi College. I’m also thankful to have served on the worship team at my church for many years. I love to sing and have prayed I would properly steward any creative gifts for God’s glory.
Thus the artistic lineage was there. I have always loved art, admiring and collecting from various artists; however, I had never tried my own hand at it until about 10 years ago. When I began to paint, I fell in love with the creative outlet it provided. Painting took my mind back to those beautiful childhood memories.
Because of my deep love for Jesus, it felt most natural to paint inspirational pieces. This is the divine direction that I wanted to pursue with this newly unearthed gift. I’ve had the privilege of serving on the international mission field many times, and those experiences have opened my eyes to great beauty in this broken world.
My artwork has been tremendously impacted by my travels and my love for God’s people. My hope is that my art brings joy and points others to Christ. I typically paint florals, landscapes, churches, birds, and abstracts. My favorite pieces are those in my “Jesus Collection,” which depict our Savior as The Good Shepherd that He is! My art is available on my website, scarlettjohnston.com, as well as at Madison Marketplace.
Scarlett Johnston lives in Madison with her husband of 22 years, Brent, sons Trey and Jesse, two golden Retrievers, Max and Banjo, and two cats, Iris and Ivy. Scarlett is an RN and works part time for Vital Care and Fountains Infusion Center. She is an active member of Pinelake Church. Scarlett enjoys gardening, cooking, traveling, and spending time with her family.