The painting that changed my life!
I had been working at my art since 1988, as time would allow, while in the midst of raising my family, taking care of a home, and working part time. And now it was 2004. Fridays were my designated painting days, and I would seal myself off into my small detached studio (what had at one time been a utility shed) and would paint. Finally getting around to reading the August 2004 issue of the Pastel Journal on a September Friday morning, I turned the last page of that wonderful magazine, and the sight of a pastel painting of roses took my breath away.
The painting and accompanying article were by an artist I had followed for years: Judith Carducci. I was familiar with her beautiful pastel portraits but this particular painting, Titian's Venus, grabbed hold of my heart. So, with bated breath and a trembling heart I grabbed some dahlias that had been growing in my garden, thrust them in a vase, and began painting.
Much to my surprise the painting turned out okay.
And my life has never been the same since. I painted roses, hydrangeas, peonies, rhododendrons. A new world was opening up to me. I had been focusing on portraits and figures but like other artists, finding models was logistical and expensive. And I needed to paint and to paint from life! Having beautiful flowers around meant I always had models available.
I painted and painted, all the while, toting that magazine clipping around taping it close to my easel to remind me of it's inspiration, eventually sharing its impact with my own students.
I did become a full time artist in 2007 and since then, my art has been featured numerous times in the Pastel Journal with Pastel 100 honors and in a feature article on my floral paintings, in which I was able to publicly acknowledge Judith Carducci's influence on my art life. (You can view Judith's beautiful art HERE at http://judithcarducci.com/)
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And now we are in the year 2019. A few weeks ago, I read Judith Carducci's excellent editorial on the Cecilia Beaux Forum's page of the Portrait Society of America's publication, and, on a whim, pulled up her website, saw the beautiful Titian's Venus there, and decided to contact her to thank her for the article.
Of course, in this email, I told her of Titian's Venus influence on my life, sharing the page in the October 2014 issue of the Pastel Journal where I acknowledge this.
I also asked her if by chance the painting was still available. She indicated that indeed it was! It had been admired by many over the years but had not any takers.
In an instant, I knew that Titian's Venus was meant for me.
And now the beautiful Titian's Venus hangs in my home. And when the phone rings, the lovely, talented Judith Carducci, says, "Hi! It's Judy!"
I now have two wonderful inspirational friends who have changed my life!
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