In the early 1970’s, former Kenbridge resident Maggie Love’s children were grown and out of the house. Rather than playing bridge or golf, Love picked up a paintbrush.

When she started out, she said she couldn’t draw a straight line, but soon realized she didn’t necessarily have to do so. Soon, Love began visiting a Richmond portrait artist who gave her some guidance on how to paint.

“She probably was the one who pulled the best out of me. She hollered at me a lot, which I loved,” Love said.

She said her teacher’s favorite expression was, “Don’t tell the world everything you know on one canvas.” In other words, paintings shouldn’t be too realistic. The viewer’s imagination should be allowed to play with what it sees.

She said she enjoyed painting because she could lose herself in the work — even the phone wouldn’t distract her. Mealtime wasn’t a problem, either. Her husband was so supportive, he would go out and bring supper home so not to interrupt her when she was truly inspired.

Love has done several hundred paintings with examples of her work exhibited in Virginia, North Carolina and Florida.

“And if you go beyond a hobby, it’s nice to know other people like your work enough to buy and put it in their homes,” she said.

Love currently resides in Galloway Ridge Retirement Community in Pittsboro, N.C. The public is welcome to see some of her works now on display at the Ripberger Public Library through Oct. 31.