March 2004

Bernice Ramsey
International Falls, Minnesota

Bernice Belcher Ramsey was born in 1907 and lived all of her life in International Falls, graduating in the class of 1925.  She was a member of St. Thomas Parish.  She was self taught in art.  She was an avid reader and eagerly read everything she could find about art whether from the local library, newspapers, and an occasional workshop.  She knew all about the "Old Masters" and studied their techniques, employing many of them in her own artwork.   She belonged to the local art club and participated in local art activities.   If she entered an art contest she usually won a "first" or "Best of Show" ribbon, until finally she submitted her work "for display only" to give others a chance.  In the 1940-50's she did substitute teaching for the art teachers in the local schools.

She tried almost all types of media, including oil, acrylic, pastels, watercolor, charcoal, and polyester resin.  She also did some sculptures and wood carving.  Included in her works are collage, portrait, life study and still life.  There were several religious paintings and sculptures.   Some of the earliest works were watercolors that she made for prizes to be given at the birthday parties of her children.  There are over 270 works that are known.   She began to paint in the 1920's and continued to paint into the 1990's.  Her last work was in 1993 when she was 84 years old.  She died in 1995.