How does one explain the force that drives you to paint? It's an itching in your fingers, a thought in the back of your mind while you're trying to do something else, a glimpse of a scene, real or imagined that must be gotten down on paper before it's forgotten.

This has been the story of Vivian Larson's life.

Having raised a large family and ending a full time career, her time for painting finally arrived and she tackled it full force, joining art associations and taking workshops and classes and turning out dozens of portraits, landscapes, and flower paintings.

Vivian's paintings appear in private collections from California to Maryland, Arizona to Minnesota. They can be viewed at her studio at 5878 Manni Rd., Kettle River, Mn., and at various locations around the area.

At this point in her life she works on readying her art for the high point of the year, the Autumn Winds Studio Tour. To say that art is an important part of her life is a huge understatement! She states it is second only to her family in her thoughts and actions.