Biography - Judy Hardiman

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Judy Hardiman was born in Truro, Nova Scotia. She moved to Toronto at a very early age; and while there, Judy was first introduced to the art world by her Grade 5 teacher, Mrs Ozart. Her class met A. Y. Jackson who was living at the home of Robert and Signe McMichael – now the McMichael Collection Art Gallery in Kleinburg, Ontario. Judy was moved by the colours and shapes of the Group of Seven Painters along with the paintings of Emily Carr.

Judy’s family returned to Truro, Nova Scotia in 1974 where she graduated from the Cobequid Educational Centre in 1977. The next year, Judy was married and spent the next 32 years moving around the country while her husband served as an officer in the Canadian Armed Forces.

Although Judy admired the arts for several years, she did not begin painting until 2005 while she was living in Ottawa. Inspired by an artist friend,  Judy decided to turn her love of art into a new adventure. While in Ottawa, she was a regular visitor of the National Gallery of Canada and several local art galleries where she studied the works of local and national artists. Being a new painter and self-taught, this was a wonderful opportunity to learn and be inspired.

Judy enjoys painting in acrylics and is continually trying new techniques and subject matter as she discovers her own style. She is drawn to quilt patterns, windows, trees, colour and pattern – all of which find their way into her paintings. Judy is inspired by artists such as Lawren Harris, Emily Carr, Bo Bartlett, Andrew Wyeth and Mario Varguez.

In 2009, Judy began to photograph various subject matter for her painting and found that she had discovered another love – photography. Judy is fascinated with revealing the beauty in ordinary objects and she does this successfully in her photography.

Judy now lives in Truro, Nova Scotia along with her husband, Jim. She has two daughters, and two grandchildren.

Awards

2018 Awarded Third Place “Month of August Competition – Color B”, Orlando Camera Club, Orlando, Florida

2018 Awarded Second Place “Open Category” Image Makers Harvestfest Competition, Truro, Nova Scotia

2018 Awarded Second Place “Landscape/Seascape Category” Image Makers Harvestfest Competition, Truro, Nova Scotia

2016 Awarded First Place “Animal Category” Image Makers Harvestfest Competition, Truro, Nova Scotia

2016 Awarded First Place “Flora Category” Image Makers Harvestfest Competition, Truro, Nova Scotia

2015/2016 Orlando Camera Club 2013/2014 Annual Competition – Third place for a colour photograph in B Color

2016 Awarded Third Place “Month of February Competition – Color B”, Orlando Camera Club, Orlando, Florida

2015 Awarded Third Place “Month of June Competition – Color B”, Orlando Camera Club, Orlando, Florida

2015 Awarded Third Place “Month of June Competition – Creative”, Orlando Camera Club, Orlando, Florida

2015 Awarded Third Place “Month of April Competition”, Orlando Camera Club, Orlando, Florida

2015 Awarded Best in Category “Month of February Competition”, Orlando Camera Club, Orlando, Florida

2014 Awarded Best in Category “Month of December Competition”, Orlando Camera Club, Orlando, Florida

2013/2014 Orlando Camera Club 2013/2014 Annual Competition – Third place for a colour photograph in B Color

2014 Awarded First Place “Open Category” Image Makers Harvestfest Competition, Truro, Nova Scotia

2013 Awarded Second Place “Month of January Competition” Orlando Camera Club, Orlando, Florida

2013 Awarded Second Place “Landscape/Seascape Category” Image Makers Harvestfest Competition, Truro, Nova Scotia

2013 Awarded Second Place “Digital Category” Image Makers Harvestfest Competition, Truro, Nova Scotia

2013 Awarded Second Place “Open Category” Image Makers Harvestfest Competition, Truro, Nova Scotia

2012 Awarded Third Place “Red Category” Image Makers Harvestfest Competition, Truro, Nova Scotia

2012 Awarded Third Place “Creative Category” Image Makers Harvestfest Competition, Truro, Nova Scotia

2011 Awarded Third Place “Yellow Category” Image Makers Harvestfest Competition, Truro, Nova Scotia

2010 Awarded Third Place “Digital Category” Image Makers Harvestfest Competition, Truro, Nova Scotia

2010 Awarded Best in Category “Month of December Competition”, Orlando Camera Club, Orlando, Florida

2010 Awarded Best Photo “For Truro, Nova Scotia”, Scott Kelby Wide World Photo Walk Competition

Shows

Group Shows: Juried

2015, “Insight”, Mayor’s Gallery at Orlando City Hall, Orlando, Florida.

2015, “Insight”, A Loft Hotel, Orlando Florida

2015, “Insight” Jai Gallery, Orlando, Florida

Group Shows: Non-Juried

2023, “Journeys - A Celebration of Travel” Marigold Cultural Centre MMFI Gallery, Truro, Nova Scotia

2014, “Art in Bloom” Truro Art Society Competition and Show, McCarthy Gallery, NSCC Campus, Truro, Nova Scotia

2013, “Let’s Heat It Up” Truro Art Society Members Show, McCarthy Gallery, NSCC Campus, Truro, Nova Scotia

2012, “Paint Nova Scotia”, McCarthy Gallery, NSCC Campus, Truro, Nova Scotia

2011, “Fall FanTAStic”, McCarthy Gallery, NSCC Campus, Truro, Nova Scotia

Solo Shows:

2013 “Breaking Out”, McCarthy Gallery, NSCC Campus, Truro, Nova Scotia

2012 “Moments In Time”, Oceanside Gallery, Pictou, Nova Scotia

2012 “Moments In Time”, Edinburgh Gallery, Parkland Estates, Truro, Nova Scotia

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Artistic Vision

I see beauty in ordinary things. Life is constantly changing and what we see today may not look the same tomorrow, next week or next year. I find this fascinating as a photographer. Over time, an ordinary truck tire can turn into a beautiful piece of art as the metal becomes rusty and the paint wears off.

It is so easy to be distracted by our busy lives and not be aware of the beauty that surrounds us in ordinary things. We often look for perfection and miss the beauty of imperfections.

So, I challenge you to take some time each day to not just LOOK but SEE the ordinary things around you. Let’s strive for perfection but learn to enjoy imperfection as well.