ABOUT JUDY AIZUSS
As a child, I was always drawing – in the covers of books, on the back sides of my father’s old checks – wherever there was blank paper I filled it with my drawings. Recognizing me as “artistic,” my parents enrolled me in art classes, here and there. But when it came time for me to attend college, art was not considered by my family to be a viable course of study, so I obligingly studied other things. I left art behind, eventually becoming a psychotherapist. That gradually evolved into my practice as a life coach and healer/spiritual teacher.
It was my own health issues, actually, which drove me back into art. Between 1994 and 1998, I took a few workshops called “The Painting Experience”, which is more about safely expressing the energies you are holding inside, rather than trying to produce fine art as a product for others.
But in 2001, I enrolled in a pastel painting class taught by Barbara Lawrence, and my love of pastels, along with fine art, was reawakened. I then began studying the works of other artists. Because of my health, most of my art studies take place through books and art magazines which I’m able to view at home at my own pace. However, I did take a semester in basic Composition and Design at College of Marin in 2005, which made a huge difference in the quality of my work. I’ve also taken a couple of classes from a wonderful pastel landscape artist - and person: Connie Smith Siegel.
I have been painting seriously for the past 15 years, and a number of my original pastels have sold to enthusiastic buyers.
Due to limitations imposed by my health, I’ve not been able to participate in many shows in past years. But I have shown at the local county fair a few times, local banks, Open Studios - and one of my paintings, “Hailstorm” received a cash award and then sold through a 2006 show in Placerville, California.
There’s an upside, though, to the problems with my health. In the end, they have actually helped my art, because the spiritual growth and expanded awareness that has come out of my illnesses are embodied in the paintings. I’ve had so many profound moments of awareness and insights which really go beyond what words can say. Pictures do a much better job, I believe.
After many years of dealing with chronic illness, my health took a huge positive turn in 2016, and I now have energy that I haven’t had in many years. Energy to create! This website is therefore my ‘coming out party’, a celebration of sorts of what I’ve been through, what I’ve learned and gained. It’s a chance for me to share the fruits of my journey with you. Creating art brings me joy, and rekindles faith and positive visions. I wish you the same as you view these pieces. Enjoy!