From
a very early age, I had the desire to teach.
But during my education years I was advised that Teaching
would not be the Profession for me. So, I enrolled in Business
and Commerce instead. Although I love Business and all the
aspects of the business, I still had the desire to Teach.
So when I started a Hobby in Ceramics, I found that I enjoyed it
enough to want to teach other students.
So the teacher in me started to blossom.
In
order to educate myself, I took several
certification programs from various Companies,
to help me not only in using the products,
but also in technique and style of teaching.
This
was my outlet from a stressful job as a Traffic and Customs Manager.
I started like most people in the basement of my home,
then started Travel Teaching to other studio's promoting
products and techniques. But, after a while I didn't find this to be a
challenge.
Well,
somewhere I picked up some Folk Art Stroke Work
books by Jackie Shaw and Priscilla Hauser and after reading,
decided I needed to learn how to do this very traditional decorative
art.
Having absolutely no training in art during school,
I thought it would be impossible.
In
my travels I found a Ceramic Studio that was
offering a Seminar in Strokework with Maureen McNaughton.
This was back in 1985, before Maureen made the transformation
to Decorative Art that she is so well known for today.
Anyway, after doing this one-day seminar, I was hooked.
I came home raving about this style of art and I wanted to do much more.
So I got Maureen's Schedule and wherever I could go, I went.
I could not get enough. Had a hard time finding studios
that sold supplies or books, so wherever I went, I checked
out Yellow Pages, searching for anything.
Then
tragedy struck when I nearly passed of Cancer of the Larynx,
it completely changed my life. Life as I knew it was over.
A Huge adjustment to my disability made me a fighter.
Because I would never talk like "normal" person again,
I thought my teaching career in ceramics was over.
I just tried to work towards being as normal as possible,
surviving and hoping I could get thorough everyday
living and enjoying what I had. I was truly grateful just to be alive.
Then
I pulled out my Folk Art Books and got the bug again.
So my Hubby contacted Maureen and Jim McNaughton
and advised what had happened to me and asked if I
could attend some seminars. Being the wonderful people they
are,
they said "of course". So being very brave, off I went.
At this point I was only talking with a hand held larynx,
which was pretty awful, but I did have a way to communicate.
Shortly after my first seminars in Belwood, I had more
surgery,
which gave me a much more acceptable voice.
Then
there was no stopping me. One year from my tragedy,
I was teaching in my home to friends and neighbours.
For four years I taught Folk Art and Decorative Art. Everything I could
learn,
I taught. It was my growing time. All the time I was taking seminars
with Maureen and as she learned, so did I.
I
joined the Society of Decorative Painters.
Was a member for several years with a local Painting Guild
and treasurer for 3 years. Canadian Guild of Folk Painters.
When C-Dan was developed, I became a member and
started networking with other enthusiasts.
Then
it was getting too busy in my basement studio and I
was starting to look for a retail outlet. Although my
Hubby was very reluctant, I leased a small unit in Pickering Village.
Three years later I expanded to a second unit, increasing
to two teaching classrooms, then two years later,
expanded to the 3250 sq ft Studio which we called home for 4
years.
This location fulfilled everything I wanted to do with
a studio and provided an amazing learning
experience for the Painting enthusiast. Teaching
with TV Monitors and Camera to helped the
teacher and students with their learning experiences.
I
have traveled to various countries and provinces
to learn about all the different styles and techniques available
now.
Attended numerous conventions. Studied with Maureen McNaughton,
for 23 years now and attended my
201th seminar mark with Maureen this year, 2007.
And
although through the years there were times
I could not attend the seminars due to illness or surgeries,
I assure you I have done every packet she has ever produced.
She is my Mentor. And although Strokework is my first love
and I teach it all the time, over the years I needed to expand my
knowledge.
So
I have also studied with Mary Wiseman, Deanne Fortnam,
Cheri Rol, Peggy Harris, Erika Amman, Donna Waterson,
Helen Jeglic, Helen Cockshutt, Kaaren Johnston, Mary Owens,
Brenda Stewart, Jo Lutness, Bobbie Takashima, Patti DeRenzo,
Doxie Keller, Judy Diephouse, Linda Wise, Rose Marie Tanasichuk,
Melinda Neist, Claudia Nice, Linda Lock, Neadeen Masters,
Helan Barrick, David Jansen, Tatiana Sholokhova,
Holly Hanley, Willow Wolf, Shelley Prior,
Bob Pennycook, Patti Norrish,
and Joanne Purdy to name a few.
Each experience in the classroom with these teachers
expanded not only my knowledge of their technique
and style, but gave me continued courage to
continue to Teach this very Teachable Art Form.
My
success in the classroom is not only due to my ability
to be strong and overcome my disability, but the
acceptance of my students to look past my disability
and want to learn, what I want to teach them.
I always try to instill in my students to always try
their best, practice alot and be happy with their
accomplishments.
I got into this for pure salvation from illness and now it is my entire
being.
Being
confident and organized and having patience
in my work is very important. A lot of what I learned over the
years in the Business Field,
gave me the training I needed to run my Business.
Although
my location was perfect, with the decline
in the Decorative Art Business Nation Wide,
I made the difficult decision to close my retail location.
I have gone full circle and re opened my Home Studio
under Judy's Busy Brushes.
Doing the business from home again has given more free time
to continue with my education and be able to offer
other techniques, styles and different creative projects.
I
will be continuing my education with the JansenArt Traditions
and have already completed necessary courses to be a Traditions Teacher.
Looking forward to teaching with this new amazing Educational System.
The
continued support over the years from my Husband,
Ran and his Children, my Best Friend, Sirkka Taylor and
My Parents Fern and Mike Bamford, gives me even
more strength to do what I love the most,
Paint and Teach. I have everyone including my Staff around me,
helping in some capacity to create a warm,
happy and learning environment at
Creative Pastimes Folk Art Studio/Judy's Busy Brushes.
So
dreams do come true and you
never know what lies down the road.
Enjoy today, be happy, and paint lots!