Judy Suzuki

painting

Colorful paper folding and drawing with smudgy oil pastels were my first art experiences while growing up in Tokyo. I am a third generation Japanese American, born overseas.

Being the quiet one of the family, I made art out of boredom, loneliness, and sometimes out of desperation. My parents eventually divorced, and as a seven year old, I continued to be quiet and observant, discovering how creating art made me feel. Art became my medicine.

Whether it’s people, animals or nature, I love the challenge of capturing the essence and emotional passages of life. I express how I feel in the moment through paintings, but not limiting myself to canvases.

I have enjoyed painting on leather surfaces, from pendants to couches. My art includes three dimensional ceramic sculptures, community art projects, one being the electrical box at the corner of California and Main Street with the theme “Ventura in Motion”.

My intention as an artist is to continue practicing seeing from my heart, not from my head and remember to have fun in the creative process.