A Visit to My Studio

2022-01-14T14:29:00.000-05:00

June 2021

Hung at the Port Stanley Emporium, two small watercolours.

Enjoy!

Cheers, Judy

2021-01-28T14:49:00.002-05:00

'Quakers' arriving from the hard-hit Niagara region, the Minors helped establish the Society of Friends settlement in Sparta, Ontario in the early 1800's, in an attempt to avoid the War of 1812.

The atmosphere of the place I found to be remarkable, a profound feeling of peace.

'Quaker Meeting House' oil on linen-wrapped board, approx 8" x 7"

(Hung at the Port Stanley Emporium Nov 13, 2020)

2018-09-11T16:21:00.000-04:00

Last Light

Just off the easel, hung at Port Stanley Emporium.

(oil on mounted canvas, 8" x 7")

After the Storm

2018-09-11T16:16:00.001-04:00

'After the Storm'

(oil on mounted canvas, 8" x 7")

Hung June 30/18 Port Stanley Emporium (sold)

2017-07-12T16:24:00.003-04:00

Just off the easel, and hung at Art Emporium Port Stanley.
(sold)
Cheers, Judy

2017-01-11T14:06:00.001-05:00

Late 2016

'Nana's Attic' (original miniature oil, 3" by 3") was entered into the Miniature Painters, Sculptors & Engravers Society 2016 Annual Exhibition and received First in the International Category. (sold)

2016-04-01T14:50:00.000-04:00

Happy Spring!
Five brand new miniatures, now off to the Snow Goose Gallery in Bethlehem PA.

Cheers, Judy

2016-01-10T15:59:00.002-05:00

Some 2015 Works

Some 2014 Works

2014-12-01T12:24:00.000-05:00

Some of the works done in 2014. (Some short-term difficulties with obtaining scans before others sold, so incomplete.)
Cheers!

2013-11-21T21:54:00.000-05:00

Happy November!

A brief email to share some news—

The Miniature Painters, Gravers and Sculptors Society in Washington DC has given me the great honour of ‘Best in Show’.

Here is the work that I sent down:

The MPSGS is the oldest such Society in North America, the second oldest in the world, and one of the most prestigious. (The news came in late at night, and I admit that I woke everyone up here with my shocked exclamations.) This was the only miniature painting that I had time to submit to the international shows this year, so I am doubly delighted that it did well.

The 80th Annual International Exhibition of Fine Art in Miniature begins with a special invitational showing for collectors this weekend, then runs from Nov. 25, 2013 to Jan. 4, 2014 at The Mansion at Strathmore, Washington DC, which is apparently quite a renowned venue. Although we can’t attend the festivities this time, I have a few dear folks near there who will no doubt be quite wonderful to me again, and send photos and newsclippings. (Here’s the MPSGS site.)

In other news, at long last I’ve been able to upload my website. It had to be redone completely, due to a server change by our provider. It needed a thorough updo anyway. If you’d like to see ‘The Creamery’ in zoom detail, just click here and it should take you there.

I’ll take this opportunity to wish everyone the best of the season, as well!

Cheers! Judy

‘When I die and go to heaven, I want to spend the first million years painting, so I can get to the bottom of the subject.’ Winston Churchill

Studio Art Show 2013

2013-10-11T16:21:00.000-04:00

Happy Autumn
A glorious autumn to all!

I am in hopes this finds you all well, and taking time to enjoy the changing of the seasons. Here’s what’s new here— if you have any questions, just drop a line?

News here includes the annual

Studio Art Show

Show hours are—

Saturday Oct. 19 11-5

Sunday Oct. 20 12-4

And the location is

-15 South St. E.,

Aylmer, Ontario-

There will be larger paintings and prints out, and miniatures too. This year I’ll also be able to show some of the miniatures done in oil. These are the kind that I often send to the international shows, and most have not been shown in Canada before.

(A note—there is a new server at my ISP that is giving some website issues. Many thanks to those who have told me. A major rework is in the near future!)

If you feel like exploring while you’re in the area, the sights and aromas of the harvest season here are just awesome (this area is called ‘Ontario’s Garden), and this year the local produce, and wine, should be wonderful on the Culinary Trail by Savour Elgin.

You may see various quilts hanging from barns on our ‘Quilt Trail’; each design is symbolic of a local tale, which helps the history come alive.

I plan to also have a map here of the ‘back’ way to Pinecroft, in case you want to go there for an enjoyable lunch amongst the pines. Pinecroft is a working pottery with a log cabin tearoom, (and a music program too) and has a fascinating history spanning the generations. (The owner, Brenda Smith, has completed and published a book ‘The Cabin in the Pines’ using her family’s documentation.)

Right down the road south of Pinecroft is the Howe Family Farm Market, where the produce (I can attest) is wonderful and the pumpkins and squash are especially abundant. It’s on my small map.

Clovermead apiaries is just north of town. (open Saturday) It’s a great spot to explore (we buy our honey and maple syrup there and enjoy wandering—much to see).

‘The Big Apple’ (you’ll see it!) north of town has an abundance of apples this year, and many varieties are available—the Honeycrisp is a new favourite.

East of town is Heritage Line Herbs, where you can buy organic herbs, fair trade coffee, and much more. (Open Saturday 10-4) (I see there is a quilt there too!)

During my home show, I do try to greet my visitors, and then I tend to leave them alone to visually explore. Please know that I’m being quiet out of respect, not neglect.

There’s a physical reason for doing this. The dominant, chattering left side of the human brain, the static, has to be quieted down before we can slip over to the visual, wordless right side of the brain. (This has been called the ‘paradise within’.) Sometimes that’s difficult, but if you can achieve it, it’s very fulfilling and restorative.

(Artists call that happy state ‘in flow’, and it’s a great painting day when one can manage to stay in right brain for long easel time. Instrumental music (no words), helps to shift the brain over, so we’ll have some of that here too.)

I’ll be there for any questions, or if you do want to chat— just ‘holler’. Hope you can drop by.

After the ‘home show’ I hope to get back to the easel and have just dozens of ideas. Over the winter I hope to post new works on the blog in a (more) timely fashion, so ‘come on by’ and leave a comment if you wish. I also have a Facebook Page, if you prefer.

Best to all,

cheers, Judy

PS. I Dare Not forget the quotations—

The good life is a process, not a state of being. It is a direction, not a destination. ~ Carl Rogers

I am still learning. ~ Michelangelo, age 87

The way to be happy is to find something that requires the kind of perfection that’s impossible to achieve, and then spend the rest of your life trying to achieve it. ~ Winston Churchill

The world is full of magic things patiently waiting for our senses to grow sharper. ~ W. B. Yeats

Annual newsletter

Introductory newsletter

come visit at
www.judyminor.ca
www.artofjudyminor.blogspot.com
www.facebook.com/pages/Judy-Minor/52331368414

‘Painting the light’ time lapse video

First in Portrait at MPSGS

2012-10-28T21:27:00.000-04:00

Some news to share! Notification arrived Saturday night by email!--award of 'First in Portrait' at the Miniature Painters, Gravers and Sculptors Society's 79th Annual Exhibition in Washington DC.

The award was for 'Ladies in Waiting', an image that is special to me for several reasons.

Here are a couple of zoom views.

The MPSGS exhibition is the only miniature show that I've had time to enter this fall, and so I was extra pleased that this painting did so well there.

Cheers! Judy

2012-10-08T14:54:00.000-04:00

Happy Autumn

A glorious autumn to all! I am in hopes this finds you all well, and taking time to enjoy the changing of the seasons. Here’s what’s new here— if you have any questions, just drop a line?

News here includes the annual

Studio Art Show

Show hours are—

Saturday Oct. 13 11-5
Sunday Oct. 14 11-4

And the location is

-15 South St. E., Aylmer, Ontario-

(here is a link to written directions (scroll down) and a local map)

You may recall from my last eletter that I’ve moved my show dates forward to the weekend after Thanksgiving. I‘ve done this so that I can join the ‘Elgin County Fall Colours Studio Tour’. I will be Studio #17.

This tour is featured in ‘Arts Country’, the five-county annual catalogue which features the regional visual art tours and trails here,

the ‘Sand Plains’ area along Lake Erie. (Their catalogue is online, and also there are printed copies distributed about. I should have some here as well during the show.)

On the Elgin-only tour, my show is #2. This encompasses St. Thomas, Port Stanley, and Aylmer. I’ll have some printed maps here and the description is online here.

Arts Country also put on an art exhibit through July and August, hosted by the Norfolk Arts Centre. It is located in a wonderful old Georgian homestead on the Lynnwood Historical Site in Simcoe.

‘Wraparound Porch’ received an award there for ‘People’s Choice’.

If you feel like exploring while you’re in the area, the sights and aromas of the harvest season here are just glorious (we say we are in the Garden of Eden), and this year the local produce, and wine, should be wonderful on the Culinary Trail. Savour Elgin has the ‘Elginlicious’ event on from October 12-21, and it looks like a delicious tour!

You may see various quilts hanging from barns on our ‘Quilt Trail’; each design is symbolic of a local tale, which helps the history come alive.

This year is also the anniversary of the War of 1812, and we were right in the thick of things, here on the Talbot Trail. I like to wonder how my ancestors coped with the invasion 200 years ago. (I'm happy that they stood their ground!)

I plan to also have a map here of the ‘back’ way to Pinecroft (#18 on the studio tour), in case you want to go there for an enjoyable lunch. Pinecroft is a working pottery with a log cabin tearoom, (and a music program too) and has a fascinating history spanning the generations. (The owner, Brenda Smith, has just completed and published a book ‘The Cabin in the Pines’ using her family’s documentation.)

Right down the road south of Pinecroft is the Howe Family Farm Market, where the produce (I can attest) is wonderful and the pumpkins and squash are especially abundant. It’s on my small map.

Clovermead apiaries is just north of town. It’s a great spot to explore (we buy our honey and maple syrup there and enjoy wandering—much to see).

East of town is Heritage Line Herbs, where you can buy organic herbs, fair trade coffee, and much more. (Open Saturday 10-4) (I see there is a quilt there too!)

The local map on my site gives some other locations and a link or two.

We’ve survived the two years of massive renovation of our 1880’s saltbox, and things are looking a touch more settled here. We’ve tried to keep the work in tune with the home’s innate style, which is likely British Colonial. The various saws and the joiner no longer grace the front room, and thanks to all visitors who kindly disregarded the sawdust and destruction. I did feel a certain kinship with my ancestors during our war of 2010 and 2011.

During my home show, I do try to greet my visitors, and then I tend to leave them alone to visually explore. Please know that I’m being quiet out of respect, not neglect.

I’ll be there for any questions, or if you do want to chat— just ‘holler’. Hope you can drop by.

After the ‘home show’ I hope to get back to the easel and have just dozens of ideas. Over the winter I hope to post new works here on the journal in a (more) timely fashion, so ‘come on by’ and leave a comment if you wish. I also have a Facebook Page, if you prefer.

Best to all,

cheers, Judy

PS. I Dare Not forget the quotations—

Painting is easy when you don't know how, but very difficult when you do. ~ Edgar Degas

Life is not a support system for art. It is the other way around. ~ Stephen King

You can't depend on your eyes when your imagination is out of focus. ~ Mark Twain

We are cups, constantly and quietly being filled. The trick is knowing how to tip ourselves over and let the Beautiful Stuff out. ~ Ray Bradbury

And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. ~ Nelson Mandela

Buckhorn Fine Art Festival 2012 upcoming

2012-08-09T19:44:00.011-04:00

Happy Summer!

I do hope that you are managing to stay cool this midsummer.

A quick mention that the Buckhorn Fine Art Festival begins soon. (Buckhorn is north of Peterborough.) There is a nicely-done preview on Friday evening, August 17, with a wonderful atmosphere and great hors d'oevres, and full days on Saturday and Sunday. If you appreciate fine art, this is a 'don't miss', with 80 or so of some of the country’s best—further information and directions may be found on my website or Facebook Page Events or on the Buckhorn link above. If you do slip up to the show, please come on by our booth and say hello—

This year the Buckhorn Festival celebrates their 35th Anniversary. Their highlight this year includes a special display of 35 works selected from the artists showing there over the years. Judy’s work ‘Nappers’ was juried in to this feature.

Hot off the easel—the vintage Canadian sports series has been continued this year:

This is another tribute to the Canadian past. My father, born in a soddie on the northern prairies, of necessity learned how to make snowshoes as well as skis.

These historic items feel balanced and warm in the hands, as if they are asking to be used again—the smooth patina of the wood and the still-sturdy ties, made to last. I have immense respect for the craftsmanship. The complexity of the weaving was intriguing to me and a challenge to paint.

Snowshoes (traditional)
oil painting on cradled panel, 12” by 21”
prints are available

I have just posted this years online newsletters and you will see them embedded at the right of this page.

In other news, I submitted three works to the jury for the Norfolk Arts Centre Arts Country exhibition (Simcoe). All were accepted and will be on display there until the end of August. This is a wonderful old building and I’m so pleased that Simcoe was able to preserve it.
I have moved my home show dates forward to the weekend after Thanksgiving, so that I can join the Elgin County ‘Fall Colours Studio Tour’. This tour is featured in ‘Arts Country’, the five-county annual catalogue which features the regional visual art tours and trails here, the ‘Sand Plains’ area along Lake Erie. (The catalogue is online, and also there are printed copies distributed about. I’ll be sending another email update shortly before my home show.)

I think that we have an exceptional area here--the agriculture, food and wine, the creativity with abundant music and art right from the grassroots, and the history.I love the sights and aromas of the harvest season, and this year the local produce should be wonderful on the Culinary Trail. You may see various quilts hanging from the historic barns on our ‘Quilt Trail’; each design has an historic story. It’s the anniversary of the War of 1812, and we are right in the midst of some of the history for that, here on the Talbot Trail. I like to wonder how my ancestors coped with all that here, 200 years ago.

Hope to see you at Buckhorn!
Happy Trails, Judy

Right-Brained Quotes for the Day

Painters paint, and history continues to make fools of curators. Robert Genn

The fragrance always stays in the hand that gives the rose. Heda Bejar

The art of being happy lies in the power of extracting happiness from common things. Henry Ward Beecher

We are no longer dependant on what New York, Paris, Rome or L.A. says about culture and art. We have become both international and regional at the same time. Linda Blondheim

Miniature Shows update January 2012

2012-01-11T14:43:00.012-05:00

Greetings--and hope your holidays were wonderful!

This is a 'small' update on the miniature shows that I entered late 2011:

(May I say that I'm delighted, and blushing furiously!)

Here is a writeup about the MASF today in one of the Tampa Bay newspapers, the TBN. The show starts Jan. 15 at the Dunedin Fine Arts Center. There will be 800-1000 miniatures there from many countries; it is the largest miniature show in the world and is very popular. (I hear from my contacts that sales are beginning already!)

Last year we were busy tearing the inside of our whole house apart and redoing it. A great deal of the detritus landed in my studio, making it difficult to paint. I'm looking forward to a productive year in 2012.

Cheers, Judy
www.judyminor.ca

Quote for a new year:

Bring something new, something beautiful and something filled with light into the world. ~ Ross Bleckner

Annual Studio Show 2011

2011-10-21T15:00:00.012-04:00

Happy Autumn

A fine Fall Season to all of you!

I am in hopes this finds you all well, and taking time to enjoy the changing of the seasons. Here’s what’s new here— if you have any questions, just drop a line?

Distant Thunder (study)_______ oil on canvas 6" x 8"

News here includes the annual

Studio Art Show

Show hours are—

Saturday Oct. 29 11-4

Sunday Oct. 30 12-4

And the location is

-15 South St. E., Aylmer, Ontario-

(here is a link to written directions (scroll down) and a local map)

Hope you can drop by. If you are ‘from away’ you might want to make a daytrip of our little area here; there’s Pinecroft for lunch (a working pottery with a log cabin tearoom, and a music program too); Clovermead apiaries north of town; Quaker-built Sparta with its shops; several wineries and more. The local map on my site gives the locations and a link or two.

We have been undergoing massive renovations, the interior this year, and so have been in turmoil! I’m not sure how I’ll set things up, as it certainly looks different here...however it ends up, we’ll have a fire going if it’s nippy out, and it should be a pleasant atmosphere in which to browse and ‘visioneer’.

I do try to greet my visitors, and then I tend to leave them alone to visually explore. Please know that I’m being quiet out of respect, not neglect.

There’s a physical reason for doing this. The domineering, chattering left side of the human brain, the static, has to be quieted down before we can slip over to use the visual, wordless right side of the brain. Sometimes that’s difficult, but if you can achieve it, it’s very fulfilling and restorative. (Right brain thought has been called the ‘paradise within’.) We'll have some instrumental music (no words), which helps with this shift over to right.

(Artists call that happy state ‘in flow’, and it’s a great painting day when one can manage to stay in right brain for long easel time.)

I’ll be there for any questions, or if you do want to chat— just ‘holler’.

Best to all,

cheers, Judy

PS. I Dare Not forget the quotations—

Art, like morality, consists in drawing the line somewhere. ~ Gilbert K. Chesterton

As for the degenerate artists, I forbid them to force their so-called experiences upon the public. If they do see fields blue, they are deranged, and should go to an asylum. If they only pretend to see them blue, they are criminals, and should go to prison. I will purge the nation of them. ~ Adolf Hitler

During the Second World War, Winston Churchill's finance minister said Britain should cut arts funding to support the war effort. Churchill's response: 'Then what are we fighting for?"

Art is the most intense mode of individualism that the world has known. ~ Oscar Wilde

Very few people possess true artistic ability. It is therefore both unseemly and unproductive to irritate the situation by making an effort. If you have a burning, restless urge to write or paint, simply eat something sweet and the feeling will pass. ~ Fran Lebowitz

I have walked this earth for 30 years, and, out of gratitude, want to leave some souvenir. ~ Vincent van Gogh

(comic strip by Bill Watterson, cartoon is of Calvin showing his work)...As my artist's statement explains, my work is utterly incomprehensible and is therefore full of deep significance. ~ Calvin and Hobbes

All is measured by that relative term quality. It is in this search for quality that the artist is, of necessity, the eternal student. ~ Rex Brandt

Annual newsletter

Introductory newsletter

come visit at
www.judyminor.ca
www.artofjudyminor.blogspot.com
www.facebook.com/pages/Judy-Minor/52331368414

All information, text and graphics, is copyright Judy Minor.

Almost August e-letter update 2011

2011-07-29T13:40:00.009-04:00

I hope you are staying cool this midsummer!

A quick mention that the Buckhorn Fine Art Festival begins soon (Buckhorn is north of Peterborough). There is a nicely-done preview night on Thursday evening, August 11, with a wonderful atmosphere (and great hors d’oeuvres), and full days on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. If you appreciate fine art, this is a ‘don’t miss’ — 80 or so of some of the country’s best—further information and directions may be found on my website or Facebook Page Events or on the Buckhorn link above. If you do slip up to the show, please come on by our booth and say hello--

This year, there will be a special section on sculpture entitled 'Sculptural Dimensions', billed as: 'a special feature exhibit showcasing extraordinary sculpture by prominent national and internationally known artists, in a wide range of style, medium and message.'

Hot off the easel, the vintage Canadian sports series has been continued this year.

Basketball oil painting on panel 12" by 21"
prints are also available

Basketball was developed by Canadian physical education instructor James Naismith, in the latter 1800’s. The ball was said to be an asymmetrical rugby-type leather ball, and the sport was intended to be noncontact. (Early players apparently had to be discouraged from tackling each other, however.)

The basket is imagined as it may have looked after that first game.

(I just couldn't resist an ever-so-subtle Made in Canada on the basket.)

I've done a couple more small oil studies of 'County Elgin'.

Pinecroft Potting Studio ____________oil on linen

Study, 8” by 10”

Snowed In _____________________oil on panel

Study, 6” by 10”

As I painted these, I also photographed my progress (dodging out of the way of the camera every 4 minutes or so!) in order to make another time lapse movie.

I've put all three time lapse paintings to date on a split screen beside some completed works. It's about 8 minutes long. The wonderful music was written and performed by Scott Brunelle, a gifted 19 year old from our county (just down the road in fact). I felt that made the music even more appropriate. Enjoy!

The two 2011 newsletters are complete, and uploaded. There should be a link on the right hand side of this page if you scroll down, or access them here and here.

My home show is October 29 & 30 and I'll be sending another e-letter near that time. We are undergoing even more renovation work; there has been much painting (with 'the big brush'), and there is just no telling at what stage our renovations will be.

Hope to see you at Buckhorn!

Happy Trails, Judy

_________________
I dare not forget the quotations!

Right-brained quotes for the day:

A painting doesn't have to have a profound meaning. It doesn't have to 'say' a word. We fall in love for simpler reasons. Harley Brown

Art is a game where impotence struts the high road, and capability smiles shyly from the quiet corners. Joe Blodgett

Life is not a support system for the arts. It is the other way around. Stephen King

come visit at
www.judyminor.ca
www.artofjudyminor.blogspot.com
www.facebook.com/pages/Judy-Minor/52331368414

'Keepers' featured in Washington DC 'Gazette'

2011-05-06T11:53:00.003-04:00

Merry Spring!

Just catching up--

This newspaper clipping from the 'Gazette' (the Washington DC area) featured my miniature Keepers (oil on panel, 3" by 3").

The occasion was the annual international miniature exhibition hosted by the prestigious Miniature Painters, Gravers, and Sculptors Society there. MPSGS is the oldest miniature society in the U.S. and the second oldest in the world. (The 'Best New Artist' award received there was actually for The Apothecary but I presume that the judging had not yet been done at the time.)

Many thanks to the wonderful soul who sent the clippings to me!

I've also just received word that Keepers has an award at the Parklane Miniature Show in Washington State.

Cheers, Judy

'Best Portrait' at Cider Painters of America (Pennsylvania)

2010-12-03T13:28:00.009-05:00

Greetings!

Well, it seems to be a hat trick—

a third award just arrived, this one from the Cider Painters of America (Pennsylvania), for ‘Best Portrait’.

The award was for 'Ladies-in-Waiting’.

(zoom view)

I daresay that it might be rather unusual to receive this many major awards in a year--I'm quite surprised and still blushing furiously. I want to thank all of you for your support and good wishes--this encouragement means a great deal.

The last three awards--Florida, Washington DC, and Pennsylvania--are from the only three exhibits in which I currently have work, so this update will likely be my last one for 2010.

I'd like to take the opportunity to wish all of you the very best of the season, and a wonderful start to the New Year. Enjoy!

Take care,
Cheers, Judy

'Best Portrait' at the MAS Florida

2010-11-19T14:30:00.003-05:00

Greetings!

Another quick update—

Very nice news in the mail, the award for ‘Best Portrait' from the MASF (Miniature Art Society of Florida).

Blushingly pleased about this, it’s also a major award. MASF hosts the largest miniature exhibition in the world, and usually has over a thousand entries from a dozen or so countries. The competition tends to be very stiff in the portrait category.

The award was for 'Bookworm'.

Cheers, Judy

I dare not forget the quotes

The arts, like language, emerged spontaneously and universally in similar forms across cultures, employing imaginative and intellectual capacities that had clear survival value. ~Denis Dutton

Things won are done, joy's soul lies in the doing. ~William Shakespeare

Meditate. Live purely. Be quiet. Do your work with mastery. ~Buddha

Ultimately, everybody who invests effort on their passions is a winner. ~Gary Lanthrum

Award from Washington DC show

2010-10-29T08:31:00.008-04:00

Very nice news from Washington DC, the award for 'Best New Artist' from the MPSGS (the Miniature Painters, Sculptors and Gravers Society). The award was for 'the Apothecary'.

The Home Studio Show is this weekend, and the final bits are being hung today. (Hanging this show has been 'interesting'; we are still undergoing our big renovation work! but most difficulties have now been surmounted.)

Cheers! Judy

October 2010 e-update, and Annual Studio Art Show

2010-10-19T19:28:00.011-04:00

Happy Autumn

A fine Fall Season to all of you! I am in hopes this finds you all well, and taking time to enjoy the changing of the seasons.

Here’s what’s new here— if you have any questions, just drop a line?

the annual

Studio Art Show

Show hours are—

Saturday Oct. 30 11-4

Sunday Oct. 31 12-4

And the location is -

15 South St. E., Aylmer, Ontario-

(here is a link to written directions (scroll down) and a local map)

We have been undergoing massive renovations at our house since April, and so have been in turmoil; things may look ‘interesting’ here... Following the Buckhorn show, there was marathon painting of the ‘little works’—I was very late doing these this year (I hadn’t been able to get into my studio due to the renovation work). However, I was able to get a number of miniatures away to the shows by deadline in Washington DC, Pennsylvania and Florida. Here’s a sampling, plus detail views too:

I am hoping to do a few more paintings before the home show, if life does not get in the way again! After the ‘home show’ I hope to get back to the easel and have just dozens of ideas. Over the winter I hope to post new works here on the blog in a (more) timely fashion, so ‘come on by’ and leave a comment if you wish. I also have a Facebook Page, if you prefer.

Best to all,
cheers, Judy

PS. I Dare Not forget the quotations—

Art is a collaboration between God and the artist, and the less the artist does the better. ~Andre Gide

space

Painting, n.: The art of protecting flat surfaces from the weather, and exposing them to the critic. ~Ambrose Bierce

space

Art enables us to find ourselves and lose ourselves at the same time. ~Thomas Merton

space

Art is the only way to run away without leaving home. ~Twyla Tharp

space

The artist is a receptacle for emotions that come from all over the place: from the sky, from the earth, from a scrap of paper, from a passing shape, from a spider's web. ~Pablo Picasso

I have been no more than a medium... ~Henri Matisse

9. Thou shalt paint to please thyself.

10. Thou shalt be hard to please. ~Two of Stephen Vizinczey's 10 Commandments, paraphrased for the painter

August 2010 PS to update

2010-08-28T16:11:00.011-04:00

postcript to August 2010

Preparing for the Buckhorn show in August is always a hectic time, and this year especially so. I did manage to treat myself to a bit of a creative break, to paint a couple of oil studies that had been haunting me. Things did get extended into the wee hours as a result, so there has been no time to post these two on the web ‘til now:

Tuning
oil study on canvas, 8” by 10”
(prints available)

Tuning
My husband enjoys the freestyle ‘jams’ with local musicians at Pinecroft on weekends. There is a magnificent white pine there by the stage, probably one of the nicest trees that I’ve seen, and it becomes breath-taking when the afternoon light in autumn strikes it ‘just right’.

Distant Thunder
oil study on canvas, 6” by 8”
(prints available)

Distant Thunder
I had in my mind that I wanted to show a white house against a stormy sky. I started with ‘the storm’ in the upper right-hand corner and the painting evolved from there.

Cheers! Judy

e-letter August 2010

2010-08-03T11:32:00.007-04:00

Warm Greetings

I hope that you are finding some time to enjoy these lazy days of midsummer.

A quick mention that the Buckhorn Fine Art Festival begins next week. (Buckhorn is north of Peterborough.) There is a nicely-done preview night on Thursday evening, August 12th, with a wonderful atmosphere (and great hors d’oeuvres), and full days on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. If you appreciate fine art, this is a ‘don’t miss’ — 80 or so of some of the country’s best—further information and directions may be found on my website or Facebook Page Events or on the Buckhorn link above. If you do slip up to the show, please come on by our booth and say hello—

This year is a very special one at Buckhorn; there will be a Canadian Masters exhibit, featuring works by iconic Canadian artists such as A.J. Casson, Danby, Krieghoff, Lansdowne, Bateman, Loates, and Dumas. Michael Dumas has also helped to curate, and has written an excellent article (‘Truth—Beauty—Spirit’) about Canadian art past and present, and why our country’s art has evolved with such a unique flavour.

Hot off the easel—the vintage Canadian sports series has been continued this year:

Waiting for Spring
oil painting on cradled panel, 12” by 21”
prints are available

'The binder twine and olive oil ritual in the brisk days of autumn—just the scent of the leather would remind me of long hazy summer evenings on the ball diamond. It was like an assurance that spring would arrive, in its own rhythm.'

Waiting for Spring (detail view)

Also just out: The Capital City Pipe Band (Columbus, Ohio) asked some time ago if they might use my image ‘Pipes, Drum & Ghillies’ for the cover of their CD, to which I gave my blessings.

Both 2010 newsletters are online now and may be accessed at the sidebar at right. (These are in colour with clickable links.)

I hope to work on some small originals too before Buckhorn. There’s one on the easel that I’m pondering right now—

Hope to see you at Buckhorn!

Happy Trails, Judy

Quotes for the day

We are no longer dependant on what New York, Paris, Rome or L.A. says about culture and art. We have become both international and regional at the same time. Linda Blondheim

Art is much less important than life, but what a poor life without it. Robert Motherwell

I think survival is at stake for all of us all the time. Every poem, every work of art, everything that is well done, well made, well said, generously given, adds to our chances of survival. Phillip Booth

Award in North Carolina

2010-06-22T10:21:00.004-04:00

Happy Summer!

A magical solstice to all of you.

Just a wee bit more nice news to share —

‘G’DAE’ has received the overall 2nd place award at the Seaside Gallery in Nags Head, North Carolina, 19th Annual International Miniature Show. This show is among the 5 largest miniature shows in the U.S.A. The following is an excerpt from the Seaside Gallery website:

‘Each year, the show exhibits approximately 600 works of art by artists from all around the globe. Some of the world’s most renowned miniature artists participate each year…’

From the Judge’s statement:

‘Judy Minor, in “G’DAE”, your play on light and dark, chiaroscuro, plus your remarkable composition, is breathtaking…’

Cheers!

Judy