Purbeck Art Weeks comes to an end this weekend. Judy Tate is a painter who works in a range of media including soft pastel, oils and acrylics to create atmospheric landscapes. When she is not painting she helps to promote Purbeck Art Weeks through the maintaining of the PAW Facebook page. We asked her about her work and the open studios event.
Lisa: Why is making and exhibiting art important to you?
Judy: When I started learning to paint (about 8/9 years ago) all I wanted to do was be able to translate onto paper what I had in my mind’s eye – exhibiting was not on my radar. As my skills have developed I found I needed honest feedback on my creative efforts and what better way to do that than exhibiting your work and listening to the feedback – good or not.
Lisa: Which artists inspire you?
Judy: No simple answers here as there is just so much inspiration all around me but if I had to boil it down to a couple I would say Felicity House and Winslow Homer. Felicity House is a contemporary artist and teacher whose work never fails to touch me in some way. Whether it be the simplicity of line or the untold story behind the composition.
Winslow Homer was an American landscape painter and printmaker, best known for his marine subjects. His work often has an underlying narrative which again draws me in.
Maybe I need to start listening to what I like and giving it more consideration in my own paintings!
Lisa: Can you tell us a little about Purbeck Art Weeks and your involvement with it’s organisation?
Judy: Purbeck Arts Weeks has come a long way since it began over twelve years ago. Celebrating the work of visual artists every year remains at the heart of what we do and our annual Festival takes place for two weeks around the end of May/early June.
6 years ago PAW was my opportunity to take a leap of faith and open my house to people visiting the festival. Today is my 6th year of having an open studio and also being a newly appointed trustee of PAW – being a charitable company this is a challenging commitment which is both hard work and enjoyable.
Lisa: Do you think Open Studios Events are important and if so why?
Judy: Very important for lots of reasons. I had no idea about pricing, presenting my work, prints – really no idea –but the first time I participated in the Open Studios it was a very positive experience which both confirmed some people actually liked my work and gave me the confidence to consider how I might exhibit my work further afield.
It also gives visitors a chance to meet and chat about my work, and for me to communicate with other local artists.
Lisa: Do you ever feel exposed or vulnerable when allowing members of the public into your creative space?
Judy: So far so good – and if any of the open studio participants does have a bad feeling about someone we have the ability to contact the other nearby venues to alert them.
Lisa: What will you be showing at this year’s event?
Judy: I am showing paintings – oil, soft pastel and mixed media . A local young mum (Emma-Louise Grinsted) who has been keeping her creativity quiet has been persuaded to take my shelf space and display her ceramic sea dragons and raku fired pots. Hopefully that means we have an exhibition with something of interest for most people !
Lisa: How useful is Facebook for publicising the event?
Judy: Personally I use Facebook a fair amount and have my own ‘artist’s’ facebook page where I regularly put on things such as what I am painting or information on an exhibition I have enjoyed. I am very wary of posting too often – just snippets now and then.
For PAW as an organization this year is the first year we have really been trying to use facebook as both a network for out members and a marketing tool for customers – so watch this space.
Lisa: Can you tell us the dates of Purbeck Art Weeks and the link to any sites that give more info on the event?
Judy: The studios and musical events are happening everyday between the 23rd May and 7th June. I for example have open studio everyday during that fortnight 10am to 5pm. For full details of all the venues, collective exhibitions and other events go to www.purbeckartweeks.co.uk.
Lisa: Where online or in the flesh can we see more of your work?
Judy: As I have mentioned I am having my own Open studio (well in fact Open house as that is where my studio is) but there are always paintings of mine on display at The Gallery at 41. You can also see most of my work at www.thetates.me
And ‘judytateartist’ on Facebook which is where I post once a month or so showing what I am up to and other snippets about my creative journey!
