Meet Judith Rothenstein-Putzer of Artworks By Judith in Scottsdale

Today we’d like to introduce you to Judith Rothenstein-Putzer.

Got Alcohol?

What do Alcohol, Printmaking and Photography have in common? How do they translate into a unique art form?

For the past nine years, Scottsdale artist Judith has been putting a new spin on her love of photography by creating Alcohol Transfers with Pen and Ink. The process involves printing an original photograph onto a transparency which is then transferred on to alcohol-soaked printmaking paper. Depending upon the concentration of alcohol and the type of printmaking paper, the results vary from the softness of watercolor to the boldness of acrylics. When the transfer is completed, Jusdith enhances the negative space with pen and ink, making the image more vibrant and alive. “Sometimes, I take pleasure in capturing the moment for its form or color. Other times, I try to expand the boundaries of reality.”

Judith majored in art at Brooklyn College (CUNY) with honors courses in architectural design. There is where she also discovered the “magic of photography”, taking classes with Walter Rosenblum. She went on to do graduate study in Occupational Therapy at Columbia University. As an Occupational Therapist, she always included art as a therapeutic tool. When not at work or tending to her family, her camera was always in hand.

Relocating to Arizona from New York about 18 years ago, she decided to rekindle her need for a creative outlet by taking art workshops in Scottsdale and Phoenix. She explored collage, mixed media, alternative photographic processes, and printmaking, but always came back full circle to photography. While transitioning from a film camera to digital, she discovered the alcohol transfer process and has been expanding on the technique ever since.

The artist and her husband love to travel, which provides many photo opportunities (She’s been known to pack more camera equipment than clothes!), but admits that some of her best subjects can be found in her own backyard.

Her work is currently on exhibit at the Desert Foothills Library Gallery in Cave Creek, AZ. and the Emerson Art Gallery in Fountain Hills., AZ. This will be her seventh year participating in the “Hidden In The Hills Studio Tour and Sale” (November 16th-18th, 23rd-25th, 2018) where she will be a guest artist at the Sylvia Fugmann Brongo Studio (#35) in Cave Creek, AZ. She will also be returning to the “Serendipity Art Studio” in Fountain Hills, AZ. as a guest artist for the Tour d’Artistes Studio Tour and Sale (March 1st-3rd, 2019). Additional information about these and other shows is available on her website.

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The growth of my art has been a kind of developmental process, first exploring many media before embracing the alcohol transfer technique. The technique as I was taught was physically challenging and the results were inconsistent. Through research and a lot of trial and error, I’ve modified every step in the process to get the results I want. Now, my greatest challenge is how to grow as an artist but not substantially change the media. My newest works are layered and three-dimensional and I am starting to add additional elements (e.g. wire, brass, copper) to the works.

Artworks By Judith – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
My subject matter as a photographer is eclectic (i.e. I will literally photograph anything that catches my eye, be it a street scene, a horse, a flower or just an interesting pattern). If the finished piece is representational, that’s fine and if it comes out abstract, well, that’s ok too! What sets my work apart is that I’m the only artist I know of to combine pen and ink with the alcohol transfer process. In addition to wall art, I have incorporated the process of wearable art and functional art. Commissions are welcome… a special pet, a classic car, etc. The client can provide their own photograph or I’d be happy to arrange a photo-shoot.

What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
I have been an artist in residence and numerous pieces have been juried into exhibits and won awards; however, my proudest moment is the joy my work brings to my clients when they make a special connection with one of my works.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.artworksbyjudith.com
• Phone: 480-836-0952
• Email: artworksbyjudith@aol.com
• Instagram: judithrothensteinputzer
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/JudithRothensteinPutzerFineArt/ArtworksByJudith.com

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