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Lone Star painter creates dozens of landscapes.
By day, Judy Owen is a successful inside sales
representative at ABS Texas. But by night and on weekends, Judy
immerses herself in a world of lush forests, snow-topped mountains,
beachscapes, deserts, and alpine lakes.
Judy, you see, is an accomplished landscape painter
and to date she’s completed nearly 300 canvases. While that’s
remarkable by itself, what’s even more noteworthy is that
Judy didn’t begin painting until three and a half years ago.
She’s averaged almost 100 paintings a year.
Inspired by Bob Ross’ “Joy of Painting”
In February 2002, Judy was tuned in to “The
Joy of Painting,” the TV program hosted by Bob Ross. The
show inspired her to pick up a brush and try her own hand at painting.
Judy set up a makeshift studio in her parents’
garage and over time she converted one of her home’s bedrooms
into a permanent studio. Almost everyone who sees Judy’s
work is surprised to learn that she’s never had an art lesson.
“Creative expression doesn’t need lessons,”
Judy explains. “Anyone can do what I do. If the desire is
there, you find the way.
Dozens of sales to date.
Judy estimates she’s sold upward of 100 paintings,
most of them for a very reasonable $30. On more than one occasion,
Judy has been told by a buyer that she should charge more. She
smiles and says,
“I just want to make enough to keep me stocked
with canvas and oils.”
Judy’s creations are all oil paintings. While
most of Judy’s artwork has been purchased by home owners
and apartment residents, her paintings are also displayed in her
dentist’s office and in the lobby at the ABS Texas office.
Her favorite painting? It’s a landscape that
depicts golden autumn foliage, with sunshine beaming onto a path
that leads into a forest. That particular piece of artwork is
not for sale—it’s hanging proudly in Judy’s living
room.
A most forgiving medium and a most satisfying
hobby.
One of the reasons Judy enjoys painting with oil
is because it’s the most forgiving paint medium. Unlike water
colors, for instance, oils can can be painted over. “If I
goof up a mountain, I can just put a tree in front of it,”
Judy explains.
When she’s deeply involved in a painting, a
few hours can seemingly dissolve in minutes. “I’m literally
in another world,” Judy says. “Everything else goes
away and nothing’s on my mind except painting.
“It’s very satisfying to create things.”
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