Judy Bear

Judy has been visually exploring her place in her environment since elementary school. Raised in Toronto, with a beloved family cottage on Balsam Lake, she has been exploring the wetlands, waterways and forests since she was a child. The unpopulated “shoulder-seasons” (when no cottagers are present) up North, created an opportunity to explore the woods, get lost in the swamps, follow and observe many living things, and create sculptures out of dug clay and found objects. Without human sounds, the wind, trees, water and wildlife created an environment that was, and continues to be, full of mystery, opportunity, and reflection. These moments of quiet meditation and calm allow absorption into a world much larger than ourselves, and is the primary inspiration behind Judy’s artworks. 

 A two-year scholarship of weekly art classes through the Ontario College of Art, followed almost a decade of amazing art classes provided by Sr. Barbara Canning of Loretto Abbey. Judy was then accepted into the Fine Art (Honours BFA) program at Queen’s University in Kingston, majoring in Painting and Sculpture with a minor in Art History, and electives of Philosophy, Psychology and Religion. Following graduation, she and her husband renovated an 1885 home in Uxbridge, Ontario.  

In 1986, a group of artists and art lovers started the Uxbridge Celebration of the Arts (UCA). It proposed to connect the many artists creating music, film, drama, visual and literary work, in a weekend celebration open to the public. Judy immediately submitted work to be juried by the group, and the following year joined as a site artist on the Studio Tour. A few years later she succeeded John Richmond as creative director of the Visual Arts sections and continued as a director until 2001. One of the focuses of the UCA was to gather isolated artists; they succeeded, and many wonderful arts friends were made during this time, and continue to this day. 

 It was also during this time that Judy had two wonderful children, and they became subjects of many of her paintings, which in turn led to years of portrait commissions, with many portraits of her artist friends. To supplement her income, Judy began teaching a 12-week course from her studio for elementary school students. Saturday mornings were for sessions at the Latcham Gallery in Stouffville, and she provided over a decade of a wide variety of adult art courses for Durham College. She also participated in the Victoria County Studio Tour from her cottage on Balsam Lake, and had yearly gallery shows throughout Southern Ontario. 

 In 2001, life changed dramatically, and Judy was offered a teaching position in the Durham Catholic District School Board teaching both Visual Arts and eventually, Mathematics. Judy continued to create and show throughout this time, however her progress and output was diminished and in 2019 she stepped back from participating in the Uxbridge Studio Tour.  

Now, newly retired from teaching in June 2024 and living on Chalk Lake, Judy is once again exploring her world through her art. Although a long-time enthusiastic user of oil paints, Judy also explores a variety of mediums and surfaces. Her studio is full of watercolours, acrylics, printmaking and sculpture supplies. “Early on I realized that if I knew exactly what I was going to create, I just wouldn’t bother and the element of play and discovery is just as important as the finished product. The process must be one of discovery – a fun, creative journey, as well.”  

Judy is currently exploring new methods to share the connection to nature and the quiet spiritual renewal that this offers to all of us. It is an ongoing quest. It is fun. It is important, through her art, to connect with others in this current world climate.