A little more about me.....

Interview from Palettepeeps.com

Renee: Hi Judy! I'm sure that all of our readers would like to know a little about you personally, your life at home, where you live, things of that nature..:)
Judy: I live in Alexandria, Louisiana. I am originally from New Orleans. I live alone, but seem to be never alone. : ) People often stop over for visits, even if it is just for a hot cup of unusual tea. I have many interest and find people's lives interesting as well.

Renee: Judy, if you could try to describe yourself to us, what would you say?
Judy: I think it is the challenge that drives me to do different things. I love life and think the best is yet to come. I feel as though I have been preparing myself for what is just ahead. I love spontaneity, laughter, children, nature and so much more. I am blessed in many ways and give thanks to God who has given me so much.

Renee: Do you have any interests other than Art?
Judy: I am interested in a variety of things. I enjoy music and a member of a large church choir. I am an avid do-it-yourself type person, which has compelled me to do things like installing vinyl siding on my home, replacing an aged roof on another home, and remodeling the interior of my home.

Renee: Whew, that's just amazing, Judy !!
Judy: I love to listen to people, especially the elderly. As I listen to them, my mind travels with them and it is if, I experience the same things they are talking about. There is much wisdom we may acquire from them, if we would just stop and listen.

Renee: Judy, I'd like to ask how you started creating Art?
Judy: My first creative experience with art was around 10 years old. My dad dug a hole in the ground and I noticed that the dirt in the hole was more like mud. I started playing with it and looked at my left hand and formed a hand to look like it. I was proud of it, until my sister knocked it over and broke off 2 fingers. She was only 5 at that time, but here is another amazing thing that I just found out. I went to a family reunion and our cousin started talking about how she remembered when I made that hand! I was speechless to think how another 5 year old has recalled this same time period...47 years ago!!! I never had art in school. The only thing that we ever did was to color, on those purple ditto sheets. I can still smell the ink now, when I think about it. It may have been just a routine thing to do during the holidays, but for me... it was a way to release my creativity... even in this small way.

I started taking art classes in college, waiting to get into nursing clinical in '96. It was then I realized what I truly loved and switched my degree to art.

Renee: What has been most influential in shaping you as an Artist?
Judy: I believe that I was born with a desire to create in one way or the other. It is something that does not come automatically for me, but I do believe that my gift comes in the form of patience, desire and determination . I believe if a person tries hard enough, they can do whatever it is they desire. So I give credit to God for giving me the talent that I have received. I am thankful for my 3 closest friends, Connie, Liz and Loreasa. They have always inspired and encouraged me when I have doubted myself.

Renee: Are you a full-time Artist?
Judy: I think whether one gets paid or not, if you are an artist, one creates all of the time, in one way or the other. If you are a true artist...it is full-time. Regardless of where you are or what you are doing, you are always creating in one way or another.

Renee: Do you create Art for a living, or do you have another occupation?
Judy: I am working as an Interior Design at the VA hospital, but always creating and selling my artwork.

Renee: What medium do you use, Judy ?
Judy: I have used almost everything, but I seem to stick with oils, acrylics and pencil the majority of the time. I love mixed media, working with clay and I also do bookbinding.

Renee: What do you call your style of Art?
Judy: I don't think I ever called it anything. : ) One thing for sure, your own self-expression does come out in your own work. It is as if my personality expresses itself in the things I create.

Renee: Judy, please describe your artistic process. Do you begin with drawing? Do you work from life? Photographs?
Judy: Yes, to all of these : ) I can talk about each piece that I have done. They all have a story. As I show others my work, I tell them the thought process and why I did what I did. I express myself in one form or another, creating the experience either on canvas or in the form of clay.

Renee: How long do you spend on a typical painting?
Judy: Wow! Not a fast painter here. It can be a one day project or many months on another one. I get to a place and say. 'That's it' and just stop! I work until I am satisfied, but know that it is never perfect. I just tell myself, next time, you can do it even better. If not, I would constantly rework it and probably never get anything finished.

Renee: What are you working on at the moment?
Judy: Painting an abstract, starting a portrait, and working on a crown of thorns project for someone, also.

Renee: Judy, why do you create Art?
Judy: I think that I create art, because it is self rewarding, a joy, and in doing so, it is a release, a way to vent, a very good form of therapy. I have such a passion, that it must be done. A singer, must sing, a writer must write, a dancer must dance and an artist must create.

Renee: When do you find you are you most creative. Judy?
Judy: You know, I used to do a lot of sewing. If you ask anyone about sewing, they would say I am just in the mood for making something. : ) Believe me, if not, your outfit would usually not come out. I think that art is just about the same way. To answer your question, it can hit at most anytime. I find though that the more that you do, the more creative you become and like with anything....you only get better with time.

Renee: What kind of environment do you like to have when you create?
Judy: Although I have worked in a mess of confusion around me, I really like things neat and organized. This allows me freedom to work fast, without having to search for supplies or materials that I need. In this way, I am more relaxed and not so tense to do the work. Many times....I work in complete silence.

Renee: Then, do you plan out your work, or do you tend to work spontaneously?
Judy: When I am working on portraits, for example...I still look at books, trying to get any extra help that I may need. (still doing homework) Otherwise, I do what the client wants and always check back with them as I work through the process.

Renee: Are there any special tools or brushes that you reach for most often?
Judy: I have many brushes, but I seem use just certain favorite ones. It really depends on what I am painting or how detailed I am working. It is hard for me to paint loose, although I am getting better at doing so. I was a doll artist for 20 years and this required tight, precise work. It is still hard for me not to want to be so detailed in anything that I do. I am always open for suggestions. I have an open mind and never have a know-it-all attitude.

Renee: It's often hard to know when a work is complete. What's your secret?
Judy: I work on anything that I do, until I am pleased. Whether it is a gift or for pay, I do not stop until I think it is my best work. Then I throw up my hands and say...'That's it', and stop!

Renee: Judy, what inspires you to create?
Judy: Like many other artists, I have a wonderful imagination and see things differently than most. I think 99% of everything that I have done has a story why I did it. It makes it interesting to me to express how I feel through different mediums.

Renee: What would you tell someone who is just beginning to paint?
Judy: That is easy. I am a firm believer that anyone can do anything, if they really want to do it. I taught many classes and the first thing that I do is try to instill in them a sense of positive self esteem in anything that they do. If you can believe in yourself, then it just requires practice, patience and determination. This positive outlook flows from your creative mind out to your hands. All things are possible, if we only believe.

Renee: Is there something that you would like to do in Art that you haven't yet done?
Judy: Wow....that is a loaded question. I feel that I am at a place that I can finally learn from someone else. I constantly ask others what they think of my work. It is not that I am insecure, but I really like others’ input. Once I did a sculptured piece called 'The Silent Scream'. Let me tell you why I did this piece. I was watching a Messiah performance and they did still life poses. Many would freeze in a position as if they were screaming. This made me think. I wish at times, as many others, that I could just SCREAM, but it would not be feasible to do so. So I just open my mouth and in silence, I scream. This is where I got the idea of doing this sculptured piece. Anyway, back to my story. : ) When I made this particular piece, I showed it to my grandchild. She screamed and ran away. Then in a moment, she ran back to me, with curiosity and said. 'Mama Judy....Can I see that again?' I said to myself, it's the exact reaction that I wanted from others!!

Renee: What effects do you want your work to have on the viewer?
Judy: I would like others to see things in a different fashion, to make them look inside of themselves and know there is always more than just what we see with our eyes. My first reaction to an artist was when I saw a self-portrait of Albrecht Durer. I was so moved by it! It was if I could feel his spirit and see the real him. I would like to touch someone like this in something that I have created. I think that this is what art is all about.

Renee: What direction do you see yourself headed in?
Judy: The sky is the limit. I believe that I have been preparing myself for what is yet to come. To me, life is just beginning.

Renee: Judy, what would you like to be remembered for?
Judy: I would like to be a person that someone can count on and someone that really cares for them. Life is more about helping others, than what I do. I think one of the most important things that I have learned, and love to do, is to be there for others. We all need someone to just listen to us. I would like for someone to say....She was always there for me and took time for me. Art is just another way of giving of yourself to others.

Renee: Judy, is there anything else that you'd like to share with us about yourself?
Judy: I am a very sensitive, young at heart, yet still a strong person. Life has not always been easy for me. On the other hand, I would not change anything. In my troubled times, it is when I have learned the greatest of all lessons. I have learned to be more passionate toward others, more caring and sensitive to other's need. Even in my down moments, I try to see it in a positive light and I don't try to figure out why. I love life and all that it has to offer. We all have the same story, just told in a different way.

Renee: I'd like to thank you, Judy, for allowing us this private look into your world. It was wonderful having the opportunity to learn more about you and your beautiful art. Talking with you, has been both interesting and inspiring. Thank you . . .

Pear body sculpture

As I was working one day in clay...I had no real idea what I wanted to create. I started making a pinch pot. I am sure that everyone has made this before, even as a child. This is where you put a ball of clay in your hand and with the other hand...using your thumb, you press the clay, pushing it up and around, forming a vessel/pot. Well....I made one pot, then another and joined the together. Once joined....it is hard to manipulate it because of the air that has been trapped inside. I looked at it...and thought....hey, it looks a like a pear. I thought how a woman has a pear shape. I added legs to it and this is how I created my thought process of creating a pear lady sculpture. : ) If you like that idea....stick around....there will be more coming your way. Just post your comments to me.

Check Legs / photograph

My Award Winning Art at Palette Peeps

"Check Legs"
I ran across these tights and wondered what it would look like it I would take my own picture. I put the camera close to my body, giving the illusion of an abstract painting. When I would show others the photograph....they never saw it as a pair of legs. : )
As a member of the Palette Peeps' Art Reveiw Internet website, my art was chosen by the general public votes as best art for the month of, April 2006 "black and white" Palette Gallery Exhibit Challenge. You may enjoy visiting this site and placing your votes for other artist challenges. www.palettepeeps.com
If interested in seeing other types like this...just let me know.

The Visual Language of Art

Art is a visual language that transcends into the emotional spiritual journeys of people. In the medium of art is a beauty, a renaissance and a rebirth of hope in so many forms of communication. Our legacy we leave in life combines our "comment" to the world and the way we communicate and leave something beautiful is in part, the way we create, draw, sculpt, and more. Life is a battle, and my work is evidence of it's struggles. As in a person's handwriting or thumbprint, we are all unique individuals and art becomes a literal and visual expression of that individuality. My art reveals my true life experiences. I have learned to express myself through many mediums of art.

We all have different experiences, but in reality the "story" remains the same: the tug-of-war between right and wrong, good and evil, peace and turmoil. Using art as a medium, I reveal my hidden joys and sorrow, opening the door to my soul. The spirituality of each piece reflects upon my life, as well as the lives of others, sharing what I feel, letting other know, they are not alone.

My purpose in art is to invoke inspiring emotion within the human spirit. I often involve people or fragments of them in my art. By doing so, the viewer substitutes themselves into the piece, becoming an active participant instead of an outside spectator. I also incorporate different forms of nature. For example, I love to paint the sky or water. Nature's beauty always remains the same, reminding me of the One who created it all. In this is where the beauty of true legacy is birthed.

In summary, I love what I am doing. I enjoy being able to see how it affects each person that comes into contact with my work. If I can make someone pause for a moment as they look at my creations and feel emotion stir with their soul, then I have succeeded. Unlike most artists, I enjoy an interactive experience filled with communication and input. This is not a sequestered event, but an interwoven lifelong journey that is shared by those who want to birth something wonderful and create beauty. Would you care to join me in creating a legacy?