Ruth Bryant holds her first painting from 1976, which was inspired by a calendar picture showing an area at the intersection of several European nations. The painting hangs in Bryant's living room.

Alleghany artist still sharing talents at 85

At 85 years of age, Laurel Springs resident Ruth Bryant shows no indication of slowing down, keeping herself busy with many activities, her favorite of which is doing oil paintings.

During the Christmas season of 1976, Bryant wanted to make the front of her home stand out from those of her neighbors.

"I decided to have something different than anybody else," Bryant said. "I drew me some little elves and reindeer and a sleigh and put it up outdoors."

After neighbors saw the artistic display in the front lawn, Bryant said, "People wanted me to paint pictures of their houses and everything." Since 1976, Bryant has been putting pen to paper to sketch and later oil paint what she estimates to be hundreds of pictures. However, of these works of art, only about 30 are housed in her home, while the remainder have gone to those who have requested them. Bryant stated she doesn't sell the pictures she has stored in her home, but, "If anybody wants one, I just usually do them one." Although the grandmother has created a number of oil paintings, with a smile and a bit of modesty, Bryant said, "I don't know if I got any inherited talent or not, but I've always drawed a little bit. They say if anybody can draw, they can paint."

One of Bryant's favorite things about oil painting is the fact that mistakes can be corrected, while corrections are harder to make with other kinds of paint.

"While oil paint is wet, it will stay wet for two or three days and you can work it up," she said. "If you see any mistakes, you can do it over."

While Bryant likes all her paintings, one of her favorite paintings is currently hanging in her home.

"I like most of them because I do them," she said.

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