Art never ages: The life and art of a 93-year-old visionary

Mrs. Billie Joe Johnston-Reid has been a resident at Quail Ridge Assisted Living Center for about five years, and her corner of the facility is more of an art gallery.

“Sometimes I get so involved I lose all track of time, and I shouldn’t sit as long as I do,” said 93-year-old artist Billie Joe Johnston-Reid.

It’s where she spends most of her days. Her little corner of comfort and peace.

“You just get lost in it,” said Johnston-Reid.

Her entire apartment is somewhat of her own art show.

“Art should be, it doesn’t matter who the artist is, how much it costs, if you see something that you can’t get your mind off of, that’s the art you should have,” said Johnston Reid.

She started taking art classes in 1965. Now, proudly 93 years young, it is the thing that fulfils her day.

“I usually have Frank Sinatra playing when I paint, while I paint, it’s an inspiration,” said Johnston-Reid.

When she gets inspired, she will paint on literally anything.

“This is an old TV tray that I did, and that’s an old antique card table that I did,” said Johnston-Reid.

Clothes, furniture, she even has glasses and coffee mugs for sale in the facility’s gift shop. A lot of her work comes from her travels; she is currently recreating a picture she took while in Hawaii over ten years ago.

“That’s one of the hardest things, so they’re still not right, but I’ll work on them,” said Johnston-Reid. 

As with any great artist, she is a perfectionist at heart.

“Monet said if any artist says that they’ve finished a painting, they are very arrogant, because there’s always something that needs to be corrected,” said Johnston-Reid.

In her time, she has taught art classes in multiple states, had her works published in magazines, and even sent pieces to the white house, forever grateful with no plans of stopping.

“But I’ve done it my way,” said Johnston-Reid.

Her art has now overflowed into the hallway of the assisted living center; however, the residents don’t mind, and it gives her a place to display her amazing work.