Notes from the heart

Mary Johnson has been painting since the age of 12. She enjoys producing beautiful works and has participated in our annual Art is Ageless exhibit.

Recently Mary made a generous gift to Salina Presbyterian Manor of her painting “Tulips” for use in our Notes from the Heart project. Thank you, Mary.

Chaplain Mary Bridges started Notes from the Heart to extend our mission into the Salina community. Presbyterian Manor residents and other volunteers gather to write supportive messages on cards. Then, the notes go to Tammy Walker Cancer Center for their Wellness Totes, which are given to cancer patients. We also made comfort pillows for this project.

Mary suggested to then-marketing director Kim Fair that our volunteers use our own Presbyterian Manor cards for Notes from the Heart. Kim suggested Art is Ageless artwork and offered to go through prior years of photos. When she opened 2013 photos, the winning painting “Tulips” by Mary Johnson caught her eye. It was colorful, but calming and uplifting. Chaplain Mary liked it, too.

Pronto Print added Notes from the Heart at the top of the artwork and printed the folded cards. On the back is text that acknowledges the cards are Salina Presbyterian Manor, and Mary is credited as the artist. A limited number of cards may be purchased at this year’s Art is Ageless exhibit, March 7-9.

Mary has taken art classes over the years and has tried different techniques of her own. When she lived in Brookville she had a studio behind her house. After moving to Salina she converted a large room in her basement to a studio.

In addition to painting, Mary also crochets, draws and sculpts in clay. She painted murals on her grandchildren’s bedroom walls, from Bambi to the Dukes of Hazzard, and she has given many artworks to friends and family over the years.