Johnese Lennon lived in Mandarin since 1983, quietly raising a family, playing music, and painting. She received a degree in Fine Arts from Jacksonville University. Lennon especially found pleasure in painting things around her – portraits of family and friends, murals, flowers, and places that were special to her. She is seen here playing guitar with her grandson Jonathan at the 2010 Winter Celebration at Walter Jones Historical Park.
Johnese’s daughter Katryna says: “Her grandson was her muse. From the moment he was born, she constantly photographed and painted him.” Lennon sold her paintings on her website and at art shows, but also gave many of them away to friends. Her home still bears a large mural she painted of fishermen on County Dock. Fishing was one of her favorite things to do with Jonathan.
