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Judy, when did you first become interested in art?
I've
always been doing art. They say I was born with a paint brush in my
mouth! It's just something I've always loved.
Did any particular childhood experiences inspire you to become an
artist?
There is nothing in particular that I can point to. It just seemed to
come very naturally to me. It was my main talent. I loved to draw and
paint, and I wanted to be an artist ever since I was young.
My
parents were very supportive of my art work, and were very proud of any
accomplishments I had in my career. They were both artists. Dad was a
sculptor, and did wonderful drawings, watercolors and cartoons. Mom was
a painter. They used to take me to the art museum, and I was
enthralled with the great paintings that I saw there. I always knew
that an artist's life was for me.
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Flora's Realm |
Forest Spirit |
Did you have any formal training?
I
always took art courses, ever since I was little, since my parents
encouraged my art talent. I majored in Art in High School, but regret
that my Art teacher never gave me a good traditional foundation. I was
taught to paint like the Moderns, without learning how to do anatomy and
perspective correctly in the beginning. This gave me bad habits that I
had difficulty repairing. I took some courses in Art College. I then
went off on my own, and have always considered my best teachers to be
the "Great Masters of the Past and Present".
How did you get started? What was your evolutionary process?
As a
child, I loved to draw everything, and everyone I saw. I always doodled
in the margins of my copy books while in school.
My
teenage and young adult work was a bit more morose and dark, influenced
by the German Expressionists.
When I got married, and enjoyed the
happiness of married life, my art became lighter and brighter in my
colors and style. I then became more influenced by the French
Impressionist school. I still have somewhat of an Impressionistic
background style, and I enjoy using Monet-type colors.
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Oberon & Titiana |
Spirit Guides |
Pucks Magic Flower |
What is your attraction for fantasy art?
I
love the Fairy Tale quality of Fantasy Art. It uplifts me and brings
out the childhood imagination that I enjoy. At this time in my life, I
tend more toward the lighter positive side of Fantasy than the interior
darker side of it. I do enjoy the macabre; it's just that I would
rather not be immersed in it myself. It would tend to depress me. As I
mentioned, in my young adulthood, I was more involved in the dark side
of art.
I
have enjoyed the Bosch and Dali type symbolism and Fantasy elements
which has influenced me to this day. And Fantasy, along with other
children's story book illustration has always played a big part in my
Art.
As a painter, what medium/s do you use? Do you do any other forms of
art?
My
first mediums were, understandably crayons, which I loved to eat as well
as draw with.
At a
young age, I developed a very good technique with pencil drawing, which
I feel has been an excellent foundation to my Art of Painting. I used
to enjoy using pastels and charcoals a lot, but, found them a bit
messy. I did enjoy blending them, and I have developed that blending
technique in my painting methods today.
I
enjoyed watercolors, but since I make so many mistakes, I found they
were difficult to correct with that medium. I am happy to use acrylic
paints, with which I can simulate the effect of either watercolors, or
oils. I paint on a very fine grained portrait type canvas, after
applying several coats of gesso on it.
I
did try my hand at sculpting, pottery, creative embroidery, etc. But my
greatest talent is in painting and prefer to spend my time doing this
form of art since I love it the most.
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Fairy and the Velveteen Rabbit |
Healing Spirit |
I Give You Star Dreams |
Who have been the most influential characters in your life as it relates
to your growth as an artist?
My
Soul Mate and Husband Michael, a true Renaissance Man, has been the most
influential and greatest inspiration to me in my growth as an artist,
and as a woman. He is a philosopher, composer, occult researcher, and
author of poetry, novels, plays, etc.
I
have always been inspired by great Artists throughout history, and
regard them as my teachers. Some of my favorites are those of the
Italian Renaissance, the Pre- Raphealites (I like John W. Waterhouse the
most), and the Hudson River School of Landscape Painters. Maxfield
Parrish is my favorite illustrator, and I feel that Sir Joseph Noel
Paton is one of the greatest Fairy Artists. In my small way, I also
enjoy continuing in the tradition of Beatrix Potter with her little
animal people, and Cicely M. Barker with her lovely Flower Fairies.
There are many artists of today who are my heroes. There are too many
to list here, but many are an inspiration to me.
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Up Where Mother
Moon Beams
The Fairies Go
Winging |
Cinderella and Fairy Godmother |
You've written and illustrated books, taught art, modern dance and
classical ballet, as well as drama. Your life seems to be rich with
experience. What have been your most rewarding moments?
Some
of my most rewarding experiences in life are enjoying the simple
pleasures with my husband Michael. We love to walk in nature, in
gardens, the woods, etc., and feeding the little wildlife that come to
visit in our backyard. We enjoy the Fine Arts together, such as Music,
Dance and Drama. Our lives would feel empty without them.
I
did enjoy illustrating books very much, and my very favorite was
painting scenes from Shakespeare's "A Midsummer's Night Dream" for the
book "Tales from Shakespeare." It was a delight to paint the world of
Fairies that The Bard portrayed in that play.
As
you know, Fantasy is my very favorite subject to paint. I love
portraying fantastical environments in my art. I have done a bit of
traveling in the past, and one of my most exciting experiences was to
actually visit the Neuschwanstein Castle when I was in Germany. The
Walt Disney Cinderella Castle in Disneyworld was inspired by this
castle, which is the most famous castle in the world. It was built by
King Ludwig II, patron of the great composer Wagner. What a thrill it
was to see this fairy tale place in real life, after traveling through
the enchanting Black Forest. I'll never forget this magical trip.
What have you yet to accomplish in life? What are your long-range goals?
I'd
like to just continue on the way I am doing. I hope to bring my work to
more people through the various licenses I am obtaining, which show my
work on various products. I have several exciting projects which are
being developed now with several companies, based on my art work, which
will be coming out soon. I am also writing and illustrating some new
books that I hope to get published soon.
I
would love to develop my Art to be better and better, since I'm never
content with what I am doing, and strive to constantly improve. I am
continually inspired by the works of the Great Masters, and the Beauty
of Nature. I have so many ideas for paintings I want to do, I don't
know how I'll ever find time to do them all. And understandably, it
gives me great happiness to hear when my work is appreciated by others.
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Birth of a Rose |
Parade of Flowers |
Do you have any parting words; or words of advice for all those aspiring
artists out there?
One
of the main suggestions I have is to always hold on to your Dream. I am
a great believer in visualizing the ideal person you want to be, and to
constantly strive to become that wonderful individual. Think of what
type of artist you would like to become. Hold that high ideal forever
in your mind, and never let that image disappear. Always have the
highest goals.
I
know it is very difficult to make a living with one's art. Usually an
artist has to take on commission work in order to make ends meet. And
that's very understandable. I've done a lot of being an "Artist for
Hire" also. With luck, and perseverance, you can get jobs doing art
work that you enjoy a lot. This is because usually, speaking from my
own experience, you do the art best that you enjoy doing the most. But
sometimes you may be asked to do art that you don't want to do. So I
would advise you to always strive to get those jobs doing the art that
will develop your talent in the direction you really want to go.
Always strive to do your best. It will come. Never give up hope.
Sometimes you can do it on your own. With some Artists, working with an
Art Agent, Licensing Agency, Art Studio, etc. is helpful also. Explore
and research all your options. Don't jump into anything without looking
into all the possibilities that could be open to you.
Since my finest teachers have been the Great Masters of the Past, I
continually study and learn from them to this day. I never feel that I
know everything there is about painting. This attitude makes me always
strive to be better, and it is also very exciting to know there are many
new vistas to explore.
You
have to love art in order to have patience to stick with it and never
give up. I have had many set backs in my career, as have many other
artists. But I don't let these bad experiences get me down. I just
pick myself up and continue on. That is because I love doing it so
much. The world of painting is a great joy to me, and if I gave it up,
there would be a great void in my life.
Good
luck to all of you wonderful budding Artists! May your art blossom
beautifully!
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Sleeping Beauty |
Fairy of Fantasy |
Foreverland |
To view more of Judy's
beautiful
artwork, please visit her website:
http://www.themysticalvisions.com.
All works
are copyright. Permission to use these images in any way must be
obtained from the artist.
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