Meet the Artist: Judy Cook

“My super power is making people smile and/or laugh through visual storytelling.”

Judy’s whimsical silk paintings combine layers of color, texture and magical creatures from Octopus, to Polar bears, to Cat royalty and even a snorkeling Boston Terrier. One of her favorite works tells the story of a young girl, her dog and pet chicken riding a turtle on a voyage to the bottom of the sea.

“I love the joy of children’s imaginations. Of course it is possible to ride a turtle to the bottom of the ocean.”

Judy spent most of her early artistic life, drawing and painting watercolors. She became attracted to the vibrant colors of silk painting by silk scarves her mother-in-law was painting.

“When paint touches the silk it flows in its own rhythm.”

One day browsing online she found an amazing silk painter in Port Angeles, Karen Sistek.

“I asked her to teach me everything she knew. It was wonderful. I was so excited by her studio, that it took me until noon before I looked out the window and saw the view of Victoria across the Strait of Juan De Fuca.”

After retiring, Judy continued her explorations of silk painting and art adventures. She studied at Evergreen State college, focusing on drawing and printmaking plus taking workshops on textile design. Taking a workshop from Jane Dunnewold introduced her to layering images to create a new piece of art.

“When I was introduced to layering images it was if the sky’s had opened and I found my passion.”

Combining screen printing skills learned at Evergreen and layering images led to the techniques Judy uses today.

Judy’s inspirations come from telling visual stories.

“Stories are how we interpret and live our lives. In my artwork I strive to tell a story, that brings a bit of humor, and color into our world.”