Mildred Sands Johnson

1923 - 2013

Mildred Sands Kratz Johnson

Mildred Sands Kratz Johnson, renowned Watercolor Artist, passed away peacefully on Thursday, September 19, 2013 in Tampa,

Florida, where she had been residing for many years.

She is survived by her beloved husband, Richard K. Johnson (Red) of 32 years and her twin daughters, four stepchildren, four grandchildren, eight stepgrandchildren, 15 stepgreat-grandchildren. She was the daughter of the late Mathew Stanley Quay Sands and Anne Hohl Sands. Mildred was born July 15, 1923 in Pottstown, Pennsylvania, where she grew up and graduated from North Coventry High School.

Largely self taught, Mildred was described as "one of our Country's foremost exponent of water color techniques," and also one of the most outstanding Artist in the tradition of American realism. She received more than 100 awards and five Gold medals in national competitions, including the senatorial Citation for outstanding achievement in the world of art. Her paintings are in galleries across the country including Gallery Madison 90 in New York, Gallery Piccolo Mondo in Palm Beach, The Butler Institute, Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Art and the National Museum of Art in Washington, D.C. Her painting "Silent Cloister" is hanging in the West Wing of the White House. Many of her paintings have been exhibited in traveling shows of the American Watercolor Society. In 1960, she co-founded the Pottstown Area Artist Guild, and was a charter member and trustee of the Ohio Watercolor Society.

Mildred loved to travel. Her paintings depicted scenes from Greece and Portugal, as well as shorelines of the East Coast, and her hometown in Southeastern Pennsylvania.

Mildred has a zest for life. She lived, she laughed and she loved. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her.

A memorial service will be held November 16th.