I am an artist working as a printmaker, predominately using etching as my medium of choice.  There are constraints when working with the etching process but it is these very constraints that lend its' unique beauty to the finished product.   I find this challenge to be both rewarding and exciting.  I also love to go with the flow of what can randomly happen. I love the unplanned things that can happen to the plate as you work with materials that are not always predictable.

  My etchings have a very narrative quality to them and a feeling of antiquity.  People often think they were done many years ago, or are antique.  I do many etchings of animals showing each of their unique personalities. I have always drawn on nature for my inspiration, whether using etching or other mediums, such as painting or clay.  I always come back to my printmaking, though, as my first love.  I have been told I have a very whimsical and ethereal quality to my work which often deals with the unseen world of creatures of fantasy that live in my imagination.

  I also do graphic work; it has helped to hone my sense of design and has been an asset to my printmaking. My expertise with computer aided graphic programs such as Adobe Photoshop in conjunction with my photography has helped me with my artistic work.  These computer applications help me with ideas for my etchings and my creation of art using computer generated methods. Presently, I am taking a class at Marywood University, where I am learning Dreamwaver MX 4000 and Flash, which are web design programs. This new, and hopefully improved, web site was built while taking this course. I eventually hope to design other web sites for artists as another facet of Studio in the Sky. I am also very knowledgeable of photo restoration and am capable of bringing your old and abused or damaged photos back to their former glory!

I was born and raised in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and received my Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Printmaking from Indiana University of PA.  I have returned to school numerous times to continue my education including studying etching in Florence, Italy.  I also substitute teacher for the Wallenpaupack School District where my son is now a freshmen.

 I live in Blooming Grove Pennsylvania with my husband Rip. I have two children; the older son, Keygan is now grown and is living on his own and singing in a rock band and my younger son, Corbin, is in the ninth grade .  My husband and I make our living by selling our art work at art and craft shows in six states.  We have been doing this for thirty years now.  All our shows are juried and some are very difficult to get into. I also travel quite a bit and visit museums and gallery shows when ever I can.  I have received many awards for my work over the years and I endeavor to always grow as an artist.  One way I have done this is by working with children and adults, teaching them about printmaking.  I feel very creative and invigorated by my experience working with the children and that has really spilled over into my own work. It is a really wonderful experience and one I highly recommend to all my artist friends! I've also in the last few months started painting in oils out of doors or "en plein air". This has been something I've talked about doing for years and when I finally met up with a group of other painters who meet in different location to paint I finally got motivated. It has been really wonderful and it is such a tonic to meet and interact with other artist! I can't wait till next May when we'll start up again. If you go to Studio in the Sky and click on "NEW ART" you'll see a few of my new paintings.

Regards,

Judith Bodman

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