Up Front Gallery – Purnell Pettyjohn “This and That”

Artist Bio

Purnell is a native of Martinsville, Virginia.  She received her B.A. degree from Stratford College in 1972, majoring in Art Education.  She is blessed with three daughters, two sons-in-laws and 15 grandchildren.  She often says that her greatest creations are her precious daughters.

After 11 years of designing and painting backdrops for Paul Munro Elementary School, illustrating a monthly Junior League publication, designing First Presbyterian Weekday School’s logo and raising her daughters, Purnell reintroduced herself to painting in 1991.  She has taken numerous local and national watercolor classes for 45 years.

She is fascinated with the unexpected qualities of watercolor.  In 1998, with excellent instruction of local teachers, she started painting in oils.  Purnell has a home studio, for framing and a delightful working studio, at Art on 12th, which is located on the second floor of the Art Box (422 12th St.), in Lynchburg.  It is at Art on 12th and home, that she has enjoyed teaching beginner, intermediate and advance watercolor classes.

Her paintings can be found in local businesses and private collections.  She has shown her paintings at the Lynchburg Fine Arts Center, The Academy Center of  Fine Art , Lynchburg Art Club, the Shop of John Simmons, Sakinas, Pheasants Eye, the Lodge of the Fisherman, Montana Plains, Isabella’s, Magnolia Foods Restaurant and Westminster Canterbury in Lynchburg, YMCA Altavista, Virginia and the Piedmont Arts Association in Martinsville, Virginia.  Presently her work can be seen in her downtown studio gallery, purnellpettyjohn.com and Arton12th.com

Purnell’s paintings have been accepted in several local juried art shows, the Tri-State Watercolor Society, Pennsylvania Watercolor Society, West Virginia Watercolor Society, Central Virginia Watercolor Guild, American Watercolor Society and National Watercolor Society.   She is currently a signature member of the Virginia Watercolor Society.

Her watercolors are bright and colorful depictions of daily observations, emphasizing the play of light, shadow and color.  She enjoys experimenting with new and varied ideas to keep her paintings fresh and changing.  

View This Collection on Artistica.shop.

Gallery Hours:

Monday – Friday: 9:30 – 5:00 PM

Saturday: 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM