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.

2016 A.R.T. Artist Judy Thompson's Badlands Watercolor Workshop!

Artwork - © - Judy Thompson

Throughout the year many artists participating in the Artisans Road Trip, offer classes or workshops in their areas of expertise.  We're going to try and advertise these opportunities for the public and other artists as best we can this season, and one we just recently learned of looks like a great deal of fun - out in the Badlands of South Dakota with Judy Thompson!

Judy was invited to Badlands National Park in 2013 as an artist in residence to paint the landscape and she has returned every year since.  She is inviting everyone to share this beautiful Dakota country with her and practice and learn watercolor techniques at her watercolor workshop based at the Circle View Guest Ranch, just outside Interior, SD and minutes away from Badlands National Park!

The Badlands Workshop isn't until May (May 13-16, 2016) but the registration deadline is April 20th - and if you register before March 31st you'll get a $50 discount!

For more information on Judy Thompson's Badlands Workshop - contact Judy at  

29judyt@gmail.com 

or visit her web site at 

 http://www.judythompsonwatercolors.com/badlands-workshop.html#.VvBIB3rO65I

Get in on great instruction and a great time!

Be sure and check back again for more from the 2016 Artisans Road Trip!

2013 Artisans Road Trip artist Judy Thompson's "Capturing America's Heartland"

artwork © Judy Thompson

2013 Artisans Road Trip artist Judy Thompson has a solo exhibit coming up very soon - "Capturing America's Heartland"! I'm posting the exhibit's poster here for all the pertinent information - don't miss the artist's reception on Tuesday, August 6 from 5 - 7:00 p.m.

For more information on Judy and her work, visit her web site at -

http://www.judythompsonwatercolors.com/home

2013 A.R.T. Artist Showing in Fremont, Nebraska

 "Prairie Schoolmates"

watercolor ©Judy Thompson

Judy Thompson is currently showing at Gallery 92 West in Fremont Nebraska from April 30th through May 26th.  This exhibition features her Homestead Series as well as additional related works.  

The Homestead Series was inspired during her 2010 artist residency at the Homestead National Monument in Beatrice, NE and has been traveling throughout the Midwest to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Homestead Act.

The artist's reception was Saturday, May 4th where the artist gave a short talk regarding the inspiration and process in creating this series.  Judy also shared her most recent artist-in-residence experience at Badlands National Park where she spent one month living on site, creating artwork and teaching local K-8 students.

Stop back again for more on the artists from the 2013 Artisans Road Trip!

A.R.T. Artist in Richeson 75 Figure/Portrait 2012 International Competition

"Sojourners" 

watercolor © Judy Thompson

Even though the studio tour part of the 2012 Artisans Road Trip is behind us this year, the artists of the Artisans Road Trip work through the year with A.R.T. as a group, doing exhibits and meeting to work on activities for the coming year.  Another part of being a participant in the organization is being showcased in our blog, letting everyone know what our artists are up to "throughout" the year. Here we learn about 2012 Artisans Road Trip artist Judy Thompson and her participation and acceptance in a recent competition.  

Watercolor artist, Judy Thompson, had the honor of taking part in the Richeson 75 Figure/Portrait 2012 International Competition.  Her figurative piece, Sojourners is one of 75 pieces of art which was selected from several hundred entries, including entries from four continents in a variety of mediums.

Jack Richeson& Co. is a leading manufacturer and supplier of high-quality art materials. As part of their mission to support the visual arts community, the Richeson School of Art & Gallery and the Richeson75 International Art Competitions were created. The Richeson75 Competitions are meant to offer a venue in which established and emerging artists may show their latest, best work to a wide and appreciative audience.

You can see Judy’s work and the complete exhibition online at Richeson 75 Portraits.

Be sure and check back again for more about the artists of the 2012 Artisans Road Trip - throughout the year!

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!