The opening program for “The Titan of Type” exhibit was full of friends and family. A special joy was seeing my mentor artist Bernadine Medley.

Ms. Medley is, a brilliant oil painter of portraiture and landscapes. Her watercolor’s style is joyful, colorful and fluid. Her architectural watercolor renderings have been used to build hotels across our nation.

She is famous for painting murals including the St. Jude Children’s Hospital, Memphis murals commissioned by entertainer Danny Thomas.

I met Bernie by chance, home from college on a summer break trying to decide what to major in — accounting or art. My mom suggested I go see Bernie’s one woman art exhibit in Decatur, Illinois.

The show was remarkable and I somehow got the courage to call her for advice. From that moment on Bernie has been my mentor, champion and friend.