2016 A.R.T. Artist Judy Thompson's Homestead Series!

 "Prairie Schoolmates"

artwork ©Judy Thompson

 

The Homestead Series on the Road Again. 

Judy Thompson's Homestead Series, will be on exhibition at the Aberdeen Recreation and Cultural Center for the months of September and October.  The Aberdeen Recreation and Cultural Center is a multifaceted arts and community center that which provides programming in the visual arts, dance, music, theater, and special interest areas.

The Homestead Series was created during an artist's residency at the Homestead National Monument in Beatrice, NE and celebrates the the Western Movement of the United States through the signing of the Homestead Act of 1862 by President Abraham Lincoln. In addition to the 12 original watercolors in the series,Silver Lake Reflections will also be, the cover image for the national best seller, Pioneer Girl, the Annotated Autobiography by Laura Ingalls Wilder, published by the South Dakota Historical Society Press.

 Official Cover Art 

artwork ©Judy Thompson

Judy is also excited to announce that she has just completed the cover art for another SDHSP book: Pioneer Girl Perspectives: Exploring Laura Ingalls Wilder, edited by Nancy Tystad Koupal.  This volume explores Wilder's legacy and her creative process and will be available the spring of 2017 to celebrate Laura Ingalls Wilder's 150th birthday.

2012 Artsans Road Trip Artist Judy Thompson

 "Distant Harvest"

watercolor - © Judy Thompson

 

Today we get to meet another artist from the 2012 Artisans Road Trip - Judy Thompson.  This will be Judy's first year participating in A.R.T.; she will be exhibiting at the Pearson Lakes Art Center during A.R.T. this fall.  Welcome Judy!

Artist Judy Thompson celebrates the prairie through her Homestead Series.

"Taking Root"

watercolor - © Judy Thompson

 Inspired by an artist's residency at the Homestead National Monument in Beatrice, NE, Judy Thompson has created a series of 12 watercolor paintings depicting the fabric of the land and the people during this revolutionary time in history.

"When I arrived at the Homestead National Monument and stepped out of the car, I was struck with the vast, empty landscape that spread before me.  At first, a sense of panic came over me since there was only a long flat horizon line wherever I looked."  Fortunately, after two weeks of sketching the native tallgrass prairie, reading the journals of homesteaders and researching photos at the Nebraska State Historical society, inspiration started to flow.   "I wanted to capture the pioneering spirit of these pioneers and how their efforts changed the landscape of the Midwest forever.

"Trails End"

watercolor © Judy Thompson

The Homestead Series will be on tour throughout 2012 to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the signing of the Homestead Act by President Abraham Lincoln as follows:

January-February:  Pearson Lakes Art Center, Okoboji, IA

March:  The Great Plains Museum, University of Nebraska, Lincoln

April-July:  The Cultural Heritage Center, Pierre, SD

October - March, 2013:  The Homestead National Monument, Beatrice, NE

In addition to the exhibition, Judy will present an electronic poster at the Great Plains Symposium on March 29th, 2012 which describes her process and inspiration.  See link:

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AuCJebSAFjc&feature=youtu.be

Be sure and stop back again for more great artists of the 2012 Artisans Road Trip!