On Tuesday, the Memorial Union Gallery hosted a live painting demonstration with Megan Johnson. Johnson is a senior BFA candidate whose work is currently being displayed in the 2016 Baccalaureate Exhibition in the gallery.

Johnson discussed her methods while beginning one painting, a Red River landscape, and continuing another, a view of a hiking path. She described her artistic process and materials, often answering questions and painting simultaneously.

Johnson has been painting for as long as she can remember.

“It’s one of those earliest memories I have of doing something with my dad. We painted a lot together,” Johnson said. Her talent steadily developed as she excelled in art classes.

“In school, I was the most familiar with (painting), from a very early age.”

Painting has defined Johnson’s burgeoning artistic career, although she has also experimented with printmaking.

“Painting’s what I’m most comfortable with and I feel like I have a broader range of skills in that area,” Johnson said. Additionally, the “vibrant” colors have always intrigued her.

Johnson prefers to paint landscapes. “I’m drawn to landscapes because I run quite a bit. A lot of my reference images come from running trails that I use,” she said.

She said she believes events like this encourage interaction between artists and their community. “Anything that gets you out in the public,” Johnson said.

She also hopes to learn from giving presentations and demonstrations, “Being a developing artist, I want to get better at public speaking. I was excited for it, but I was also really nervous for it.”

Johnson’s Baccalaureate series, Numinous Pathways, will be available for viewing at the Memorial Union Gallery until Friday.