“Art making for me has evolved over the years from figurative drawing to painting. There is a compelling need to observe the nature of things and transfer the concept with the fresh mark on paper. Subject matter is secondary, the essence or spirit of an object, a movement, of the emotional situation is primary. Practicing art making through formal studies has been critical to achieving a level of excellence as well as disciplined work. Susan Kraut, Susan Gofstein, and Marion Kryscka have guided and mentored with intelligence and inspiration.”

STUDIES:

• Pacific Lutheran University
• University of Puget Sound
• School of the Art Institute of Chicago
• Honolulu School of the Arts Academy

ADDITIONAL STUDIES:

• Allihies School of Language & Art, Ireland

SHOWS & AWARDS:

• "The Women's Show" - Diamond Head Theatre Gallery
• Various Juried Fall & Spring Shows - Hawaii Watercolor Society
• Allihies School Public Show
• "Edge II" - 2005 Juried Show at Linekona
• Alexander & Baldwin award for watercolor, 2002
• Daler Rowney award, 2003
• Aloha Petroleum award, 2004 and 2005
• Punahou Annual Art Show
• "The Art of Food" at Subzero/Wolf Gallery
• Spring 2005 Member Show - Perkins Center for the Arts, Moorestown, NJ
• Koa Gallery - Traveling Exhibit - "Peace"
• One Woman Show - Che Past Gallery, 2005
• Hawaii State Foundation on Culture & Arts Purchase Award, 2005
• Gallery North, Edmonds, WA, 2006 - 2009
• Waterfront Gallery, 2006 - 2009
• HWS Pegge Hopper Prize, 2010
• One Woman Show - Indigo Fine Art, 2011

Member of the Oil Painters of America
Signature Member of the Hawaii Watercolor Society

STATEMENT:

Judith Perry was born on the coast of Washington State and spent the first half of her life in the Northwest. Since then she has lived on the east coast, Midwest, and Hawaii before settling near Charleston, South Carolina. She has studied and practiced art in all locations. Living near water has impacted her view of life and artistic expression. Her formal studies were concentrated at Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, WA, and post-graduate work was at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.

“The beauty of the human figure has such complexities and nuances, it establishes a lifetime of art-making possibilities. Studies at the Art Institute focused on life drawing for years. Initially I primarily captured the entire figure within a framework. Eventually, I found particular shapes and angles created shadow and colors, which set me in a new direction. The back of the neck and its vulnerability and the contour of the hip have been inspiration for great art through the ages.

What began as drawing became drawing in color - watercolors, then pastels to capture the skin tones, acrylics, and eventually oils. To me, all forms of painting are ways of depicting what pulls me to a spot of beauty or visual drama.

I have found different subject matter and mood in the places I've lived. The climate and the way my life has evolved is reflected in the atmosphere of each piece - the softness of the lowcountry marsh, the shades of fog in the Northwest, or the figure within a space of quietness. As I paint full-time as a professional, the desire to explore and express has become even more compelling. Whether I'm moving toward inner contemplation or concern for our social environment, the evolution and ever-expanding subject matter provides me with personal fulfillment.

I believe art visually tells the world of the existing conditions of our times. It is a necessary record for future generations, and when done well is thought-provoking and emotionally stirring.”