By Jonathan Burger, Craven Arts Council & Gallery, Inc.
Where are you from and how’d you end up in eastern North Carolina?
I was born and raised in western PA, in Johnstown, a small, mountainous, historic steel town 65 miles east of Pittsburgh. My husband’s job with GM in Detroit caused us to move frequently. We were living in Charlotte, NC, for a while when our daughter and son-in-law moved to New Bern. Eventually, Tom and I moved to New Bern and built a retirement house.
Do you have formal training as an artist, or are you self-taught, or a combination of both?
I have a graphic arts degree from Pennsylvania State University. I studied under Elaine de Kooning, a prominent abstract expressionist, and worked as a graphic designer for 20+ years for a number of large and small companies, including Microsoft, Holiday Inn and a Michigan university.
Does your work have a central theme, or several themes?
I enjoy working with a variety of themes, including abstracts, landscapes, still lifes and florals. Something different is more fun. I like a new challenge, too.
You work primarily in pastels, what about that medium appeals to you?
I love the beautiful pigments that pastel sticks are made with. I like to use my fingers and enjoy the tactile surfaces. So beautiful!
You worked as a professional designer for 25 years, what relationship do you see between that work and your artistic work? How is it similar, and how is it different?
I enjoyed my time as a designer and definitely learned things. I prefer to create and work mostly on my own. I have a constant eye for the graphical. After working as a designer, I see graphical images everywhere.
Is there another artist whose work you admire or inspires you?
An artist I admire is English artist David Mankin. Mr Mankin is a contemporary painter based in Cornwall. His work is loose, bold, and innovative. His recent book is titled “Remembering in Paint”.
What advice do you have for other artists, or people wanting to get into art?
My advice to anyone wanting to pursue art is simple: follow your curiosity, experiment and don’t be afraid to make mistakes. Study and learn from other artists, but give yourself time to discover your own voice. Paint often, stay open to new ideas and don’t compare your journey to someone else’s. Most importantly, enjoy the process. Art is a lifelong journey of discovery, and there is always something new to learn and create.
Try this experiment: get several 12-by-12-inch boards and paint them white. When the boards are dry, get out your painting medium (I use acrylic) and begin painting with loose, abstract strokes. Use bright, fun colors. Let it dry and see what you have. You might be surprised. Keep the boards and look at them often over time.
In one sentence, what is art to you?
Art to me is a constant interest. I began studying art in middle school. I have had good training, but I have also trained myself when I am drawn to the new and interesting.
I know you’ll be having an exhibition in the Director’s Gallery at the Bank of the Arts for the month of November, but where else can people find you work?
I have a website, www.judithcutlerart.com, where people can see my work. I’m also represented by the Ellen Moore Gallery, in Cape Charles, Virginia.