Freshman, Judy Pierre, draws portraits of women coming in all different shapes, sizes, and outfits. She was inspired to begin her journey in the art after she received a "Magna Doodle" toy for making sketches when she was three years old. After she copied a picture of a bed her father sketched on the "Magnadoodle" and it came out better than his, she knew art was the path for her.
"I love creating art because it is satisfying to replicate something of your own hand," Pierre said. When something comes out the way I want it to, I feel encouraged. I also like art because it makes people happy."
One of her inspirations is the cover of the band, "Ghost Towns" album, created by Alister Dippner. His work inspired her to be more creative and bold with her own work.
"When I think of art I think of how it flows," Pierre said. It is easier for me to draw women because they have a more flowy figure and men are more chiseled and sharp so it's harder to draw.
Pierre draws nude women, profiles, and portraits. She uses the search engine on Instagram to find women to use them as a reference. She likes using acrylic because it's smooth and easy to work with.
"I like to think that drawing women is a great way to appreciate beauty," Pierre said. I feel like I am more accepting and understanding of various body types by drawing different types of bodies and where different people curve."
When she used to sell art she sold two pieces that went together for $15 each. She drew a portrait of a girl with a warm color scheme and a dark color scheme. The painting she is most proud of is a painting she drew of her own body.
"I used to sell art, but I don't anymore because it makes art seem more like a task than a hobby for fun," Pierre said. I don't want it to be something I have to depend on because I won't love it anymore."
When she starts drawing a portrait she begins with the nose and then forms the shape of the head. Since she didn't take any art classes until high school, the techniques she uses are self-taught. Some of her techniques include smudging graphite on the paper with her finger or a q-tip.
"It is so cool how you can become so absorbed in what you are working on," Pierre said. It is a great way to relieve stress.
Find Judy's artwork on her Instagram page, here.
