My
Name Is Myrtle Sims 
And I'm a Painter
or
Just The Facts Ma'am ,
Just The
Facts
My name is Myrtle Sims. I have been painting with oils since the early eighties. I wanted to paint when our family lived in Hot Springs, but our three children's needs came first. I was exposed to art and artists in downtown Hot Springs. I was fascinated by the variety of works. My husband was in the height of his career at Weyerhaeuser Co. We lived there for 11 years.
Soon after we returned to De Queen in 1977 I had the opportunity to take a semester of art from Mr. Scott of Henderson College. He gave a weekly night class at the old first National Bank. He set up a still life, made us draw it and then paint it. I remember mine was pretty bad , but it was a beginning.
Over the years I have developed a liking for originals from my own photographs or old family photos. I like anything that has historical or special meaning for me or for a client. I guess I have a knack for a "primitive" look.
One of my specialties is palate knife painting. I like the looseness of the technique. I paint mostly florals. I learned from Bell Cain Marrow of Texas, who gave classes at King Art Center. She also taught portraits. My most memorable teacher was Joe Johnson. a retired commercial artist of Ft Worth, Tx. living at Little River Country Club, we had weekly, all day sessions at the former Swepco building.His favorite saying to us was " I bought you books, sent you to school and you still don't listen."
I paint for pleasure and for our annual CACA Art Show held the first full weekend in May at King Art Center. I have served the association as president and been on the Board for at least 25 years.