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Judy is known for a remarkable portrayal of light and shadow, and an ability to convey a mood and atmosphere that invites her audience to join in. For her, how the subject is painted is as significant as what the subject might be. Sometimes there seems to be a story behind the work, but this is often not discussed, out of respect, as Judy feels that each viewer is entitled to ‘complete’ the painting in his/her own way.
She also tries to create experimental work each year, feeling that it is critical to keep challenging herself. One such experiment has led to her status as a Medalist internationally for her paintings in miniature (CMS, MASF, WFM), among these a rare Judges’ Award of Excellence at the World Exhibition of Miniatures, Smithsonian International Gallery in Washington DC; and from the MASF, the largest international miniature show in the world, a Best in Show. Recognition in several other spheres includes author/ illustrator of an award-winning children’s book and a commission for the NHL’s ‘Visions of Hockey’ Collection.
Her works have been featured in many group and solo exhibitions, on national and international magazine covers, and are in corporate and personal collections in several countries around the globe.
Many have asked Judy how she found her calling. Apparently in her pre-teen years she would ask for paints for Christmas—receiving ‘those paint-by-number kits’ (the boards of which somehow ‘disappeared’ ). However, the little pots of paint and brushes were carefully hoarded, and were used upon scrounged scraps of cardboard for her own original efforts. There were no art classes offered during her secondary school years. A few years later these did become available and she returned for instruction as a mature student, having received her post-secondary education in a different field entirely. After attending two semesters, however, an art teacher recognized her potential and suggested, for her purposes, that she bypass secondary school, saying; ‘you can learn faster, go farther, studying on your own. Don’t waste time, go immerse yourself.’ |
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“For me, there is a simple dignity in working with the hands, and great joy in producing something ‘from nothing’ which can delight the senses. The search for excellence in craftsmanship is a primary goal of mine, and one which I hope is never-ending. A soft realism is my preference. This holds the most challenge, and therefore the most interest for me—the excitement when I imagine the concept, the challenge and hard work of refining it, then the magic and payoff of watching puddles of paint come to life come to life under the brush. Whatever the subject might be, though, a major theme throughout my work remains the transparency and patterns of light and shadow, which intrigue me.” |
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All images and information copyright Judy Minor. |
