Matilda Pennic

Born in Pike Road, Alabama in 1956, Matilda Pennic's family home was always filled with music and a lot of children. Matilda's father played the guitar and harmonica when he was not hauling a load somewhere as a truck driver.  Her mother was a soloist and was rarely without a song. On weekends their home was the site of many musicial gatherings. Though her house was a busy place filled with people, Matilda was a loner as a child.  "I was always in my own world, cutting up old clothes to make new ones or decorating our house with mostly what I could find to dress it up.  I always loved working with my hands." Matilda attended high school and nursing school to become an LPN.  She married a military man and  moved away from Alabama. 

The marriage was a stormy one that lasted eight years.  A son and a daughter were born before domestic abuse and a bitter divorce left her destitute.  She returned home to live in Montgomery, Alabama.  She struggled to rear her children and moved often to avoid having to hear threats from her ex-husband.  After trying various private nursing jobs caring for mostly elderly patients, she became the domestic housekeeper for an artist.

Fascinated by the oil paintings that her employer created, she decided to save any thrown away art materials and try it for herself.  The memories of her childhood flooded back and Matilda began painting, first only two works during her first four years of trying.  Then after encouragement to paint full time, she made the break from her long time employer and now creates her detailed memory paintings everyday.

--Marcia Weber

Available Works