| Primary Medium Painting, Mixed media, Fibre |
Home Spirit River |
Active 1980s - present |
Dates - |
Judith A. Brown is from Spirit River, Alberta and has been artistically inclined since childhood. She began painting in the early 80s and soon chose watercolour as her main medium. She has taken courses from Jack Reid, Jake Mohl, Romain Teisenhausen, Bob Guest, Jim Adrain and Dean Reeves, as well as studying from instructional books, videos and DVDs. Judy has shown in and spearheaded art shows all over the Peace Country for many years, often as a member of the Peace Watercolour Society, Fairview Watercolour Friends, and the Three Generation Watercolour Artists (Mother), or in gallery members’ shows. Her work is in public and private collections in Canada, the U.S., Europe and Australia.
Judy was born in Regina, Saskatchewan, but has lived in five of the provinces. After receiving a Masters degree in biochemistry from York University, Judy focused a lifelong interest in physical and learning disabilities by working with special needs children at the public school in Spirit River, where she moved with her husband, Harvey, in 1977. Today, Judy greatly enjoys retirement from her official career, and while busy with various community and provincial boards and committees, she always packs a good supply of brushes and paint when there is a chance for a camping trip.
In her art classes, Judy’s approachable style and knowledge of learning differences combine with her artistic know how to make art accessible and successful for everyone. Her students range in age from two to 100: she volunteers at lodges and long term care units, proving that it’s never too late to pick up a paint brush. She finds art to be an invaluable tool in her many community endeavors, always stressing sound techniques
along with creativity and discovery.
“My paintings reflect the peacefulness, beauty and serenity of our landscape. Painting is a way of trying to capture and express these images and feelings on paper.” Judy is awed by the incredible beauty, colour and atmosphere of the world around us. Her favourite subjects to paint are water and snow. She is fascinated by the delicate translucence of prairie skies and finds never ending subject matter in her Peace Country surroundings.
Judy’s adventures in fibre arts are a more recent undertaking. She creates hats, scarves, wall hangings and sculptures by felting a variety of natural fibres. She “paints with fibres”, building images with the colours and textures of the wool. Her fibres studio includes a drum carder, spinning wheel, crochet hooks and a peg loom.