
Today we’d like to introduce you to Judi Bagnato.
Hi Judi, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
If there was a time I was not creating artwork I can’t even remember that far back! It feels like I was born with a crayon in my hand and that creating art was always my favorite thing to do. Long before I was a professional artist, I can look back at all the projects I enjoyed… designing concert t-shirts as a teenager, illustrating a children’s book for my writer friend when I was a young mother, and just drawing, drawing, drawing. All. The.Time. I received a BFA in Studio Art and continued with my art education through classes and workshops over the years. While raising a family my dedication to art was on and off, but I always found myself returning to it. It took many years for me to realize what always drew me back. Whenever I painted I found myself immersed in the moment, in what is often referred to as “the flow”, and the peace and tranquility that goes along with that. After many years of painting, I now find myself creating more and more intuitively, needing less of my “thinking mind” and so that feeling has become even stronger for me.
Eventually, my love of art evolved into creating paintings for publishers to license and sell prints of my work. While I still license my art for fine art prints, at this time I am working from my home studio, concentrating on creating original paintings to sell direct to the public through my website and to interior designers and other trade professionals. A big focus of my studio now is commissioned work. A collector or designer will contact me with a particular vibe or color palette they are looking for and I love creating custom made art to fulfill their unique vision for the space.
Over the last few years, I have also incorporated my faith into many of my paintings, focusing on a connection to the Divine and expressing that through my art. I work mostly abstractly now, or near abstract. Though I’m often motivated by nature, I don’t attempt a literal interpretation, but rely more on emotion, intention, memories, and imagination to reflect my appreciation of peace, tranquility and simplicity.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I’ve actually feel I’ve been quite lucky in my career. Although family obligations sometimes created some time challenges, I’ve been lucky enough to be able to find time/opportunity/place to paint. And I was very fortunate to have been found by some wonderful publishers who were able to get my work out to the public. Earlier in my career, I was a bit plagued by typical artist insecurity… is this good enough? will this sell? , but eventually I learned to set my “self” aside and just let the creativity flow through me.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Some artists paint what they see. I PAINT WHAT I FEEL. My artwork reflects my personal faith and the desire to find meaning and a feeling of peace, in a world full of uncertainties. In my paintings, I’m always looking for a quiet balance between expressive organic forms and abstraction, combining layers of intricate textures and elements with expressive brushwork to create a timeless yet contemporary look. I work intuitively and abstractly with the intention to respond to a connection to the Creator and evoke in my paintings a sense of harmony and calm energy, inviting the viewer to a quiet contemplative place where the artwork can help enhance the tranquility of a living or work space. Consciously or subconsciously we all react to art in unique ways. Whether it’s the shade of color, the stroke of the brush or a subtle positive element in my paintings, I hope my paintings serve as a visual reminder of the easily overlooked, unseen or missed moments of truth and beauty that surround us every day.
Over the past 25 years, my paintings have been published and licensed both nationally and throughout the world. My artwork can be found hanging on the walls of local first-time art buyers as well as corporate collections, luxury residences and interior design showrooms. Today, I sell my original contemporary paintings directly from my studio and website.
Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
Artists are typically solitary workers. But, over the years I’ve forced myself out of the studio and connected with other artists through classes and workshops. Personally, I’ve taken classes with wonderful artists through Scottsdale Artist School and many art centers while living in New York. But any class that keeps you inspired to create will work. Despite being a bit of a loner by nature, it’s sometimes great to just be around other artists.
Contact Info:
- Email: judibagnato@gmail.com
- Website: JudiBagnatoArt.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/judibagnatoart/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JudiBagnatoArt
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