Original Published on Sep 13, 2022 at 10:42
By Jim Dumville, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Young Benton painter Janessa MacMillan will become a teenager while holding a place of honour as Creek Village Gallery and Café’s Young Artist of the Month for September and October.
MacMillan, who moved with her family from Suffolk, Virginia, to Benton in 2017, will turn 13 in October.
Creek Village’s Paul Twyford said the young painter’s talent had already captured the eye of gallery patrons.
“We installed Janessa’s artworks at the beginning of the week (Sept. 6), and she had her first sale the very next day,” he said.
Painting is only one of MacMillan’s loves.
“I am a lover of animals, gymnastics, swimming, nature and, of course, art,” she said in her bio.
The home-schooled youth said she began making crafts at five, then turned her attention to painting at eight.
“I love painting, and I can’t imagine my life without it,” MacMillan said.
While she primarily paints in acrylic, she sometimes does watercolour.
“I love painting so much that during COVID, I took over half of the basement and turned it into my art studio,” MacMillan said.
The young, self-taught artist said she is always learning new techniques, noting she particularly enjoys painting abstract and scenery.
“I’m so grateful to have such a loving family that encourages me to keep making art and helps me to grow to be a better artist,” she said. “And I’m so grateful for the talent that God has given me, too.”
MacMillan described it as an honour to be in Creek Village’s Young Artist Spotlight and hopes the public enjoys her work.
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