Meet Judy Puiia | Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Judy Puiia and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Judy, why did you pursue a creative career?
I was fortunate to grow up in a small town in Maine. As a child, I would spend countless hours drawing and painting enthusiastically sharing my work with my parents. Mom was a homemaker and my dad an engineer. They both are amazing people, but my dad had this uncanny ability to make, fix, solve, or create anything. He also was an artist and I looked up to him as an inspirational figure. I feel fortunate to have inherited his abilities and drive to create. It was what I had to do.

Some of the first things I sold were hand painted t-shirts that I created for friends in college. It was a fun way to earn extra money. After graduation, I worked for many years as a visual art teacher which was a very rewarding career. During this time, I also continued to create artwork for others, designed logos for businesses, and sold watercolor and oil paintings at art shows or by commission.

In 2011 we moved to Tucson and here is where I found my true artistic voice. There was something about the landscape, culture, people, and lifestyle that felt different to me. There is a soulful beauty in the southwest that I had never experienced before. This inspired me to change the direction with my work and paint what moved me personally – not what I thought others wanted me to do. A friend sealed to deal for me when he said to me: “Judy, do what you love.” I have never turned back.

I continue to use this as the mantra for what I do. I create art that has meaning to me and have found that it can instill an emotional response from others. I create what I love and hopefully others will love it also. This might sound a bit corny but so far it is working. My work includes oil paintings that depict intense color, movement, and symbolic messaging that I feel passionate about. My artwork is derived from the beautiful cultural heritage of the area and the natural environment I find around me. I create jewelry and t-shirts that I would personally love to wear. I am now truly doing what I love.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I have always loved to draw and paint rabbits and flowers. Back in Maine, these works were mostly representational, and it wasn’t until our move to Tucson that I began to change my style.

My recent work is a combination of the beautiful Mexican culture, Talavera artistry, and one of my greatest loves to paint, rabbits. My paintings are rich in color, symbolism, and always intensely from the heart. I call my current work: “My Tucson artistic voice.” The blue and white Talavera patterns in my rabbits and color intense flowing flowers are a unique signature of what I do. A lot of my artwork is based on this original idea.

As with most artists, your artwork is very personal. I do find presenting my work to the public as a challenge that I am now overcoming. It takes courage to show your work either at a gallery or online but without this risk taking it would never become visible to others. I can now say that my confidence is strong.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
When friends come to visit Tucson, I want them to experience the beautiful landscape, culture, and of course the food! We usually take a ride or hike (if possible) to see the desert landscape up close. My favorite places are the Douglas Springs trailhead off from Speedway Blvd., Sabino Canyon, Gates Pass, the Desert Museum, everything downtown, and including the Mercado, and we love El Charro restaurant. I encourage people to visit during rodeo break and Halloween so that they can enjoy all of the incredible festivities. My favorites are the Tucson Rodeo, Tucson’s Dia de Los Muertos, and the All Souls Procession.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My shoutout goes to the people whose inspiration, support, and encouragement have gotten me to where I am today.

Everyone has that one person in their young lives who made a lasting impact on their future. My person was my high school art teacher. She was an educator and visual art business person. I loved her positivity and creative spirit. She left a huge imprint on me and opened my eyes to the entrepreneurial spirit.

My other inspiration are my parents who always encouraged my creativity while growing up – even with the countless messes I would leave in the kitchen and of course my bedroom. Every time I would enthusiastically show them a drawing, painting, or something I created, my dad would respond “Well, that’s alright.” If you knew him and how reserved he could be, this was probably one of the highest compliments he could give you as a child. Lucky me.

My husband has always been my constant supporter and his positive reinforcement cannot be measured. Often, I would have self-doubt about my work, and he was there to make me feel that what I was doing was important. I also need to recognize a Tucson friend who has encouraged me to move forward without boundaries. Her positive support is without words, and she is the impetus behind what I do now.

Website: https://judypuiia.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tucsonjudy/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/judypuiiafineart. https://www.facebook.com/DesignsByAmigas

Other: emails: JudyPuiia.art@gmail.com DesignsbyAmigas@gmail.com