Judith Haron / Mission Statement
In Denver Colorado as a kid the outdoors was part of growing up. The natural backdrop became the playground of my upbringing. I learned to observe and drink in the natural surroundings. At that time Denver was not considered a metropolitan destination but I was lucky to attend an art-based program for high school students. There was everything from basic painting, drawing to silkscreening.
In 1982 I moved to NYC to attend the Fashion Institute of Technology. I majored in illustration with an interest in textile design. I worked in the fashion and theater industry rendered a multitude of images, textures, and themes for textiles. I felt the need to explore available foundation workshops in drawing and painting that were abundant throughout the city. New York took me beyond my initial education and gave me a 360-degree view of creative experiences and only improve my rendering skills. Seeing breathtaking original paintings in person at museums or art exhibitions affected my understanding that seeing the original in person can have a profound impact. My decorative art influences continued with my mural business in Denver while creating frescoes and gilding for interior spaces. It was so close to everything I was about.
The Illuminated Manuscript and calligraphy had always been brewing just above the service. After starting a family and reading stories to my child it just fell into place. My previous practices and materials were a natural evolution to what soon became my obsession.
The illuminated manuscripts of the early to mid-Renaissance spanned from the 13th to 15th century across Europe and Asia. I use a paint called egg tempera to render my images. The egg yolk and whipped egg whites are a binder and artists' walnut oils adds a rich brilliance and extend the drying time. The color grounds are then tempered or blended into the egg medium itself. I apply thin layers that are then built up with tiny brush strokes. The slight gloss of egg tempera next to the brilliance of the gold leaf is exhilarating to the artist nerd in me.
My paintings are and have been described as a “dreamscape,” with insight into the human condition and experiences. Since the dawn of time wildlife and their natural habitats have been a part of cultural storytelling. While the beauty and details may vary from culture to culture, there has been a need to interpret dreams as a practice. Many wise advisors, therapists, and artists have interpreted dreams to carry hidden meanings. The beauty of dreams in art shows up story after story.
The main subject of my painting mythologies is brought front and center as if they were characters in a theatrical performance. I invite the viewer into my dreamscape world from the origin of a species, flower symbolism, and the use of original poetry that share the story to the viewer in multiple layers. My hope is to illuminate the need for conservation and the preservation of cultures and to bring awareness of Earth’s most precious resources.
CV RESUME / OFFICIAL
Education
2010 to 2011 MFA Program Laguna College of Art and Design. Laguna Beach, CA.
2010 Summer Atelier Workshops: New York Grand Central Academy. Graydon Parish. Master Portrait Summer Class and Joshua LaRock Cast Drawing Corse Study. New York City.
1982-1986 New York Fashion Institute of Technology. Bachelors Degree in Fine Arts. Illustration. Concentration in Textile Design.
1985 to1986 Mentor Program In Illustration. Women’s Wear Daily with fashion illustrator Steven Stipelman. New York City. 1985 -1986.
1980-1982 Stevens College. AA Fashion Design. Columbia, Missouri.
Shows and Exhibitions
2022 May 31 to June 28 / Artist Fund Festival of the Arts Exhibit Preview / City Hall Laguna Beach CA
2022 April 16th thru June 25th : Fresh Faces New Artist Exhibit / Festival of the Arts Active Culture Gallery.
2022 The Festival of the Arts / Pageant of the Arts Laguna Beach CA ( Upcoming)
2021 Randy Higbee Annual 6x6 Juried Fine Art Exhibition December 2021 Costa Mesa, CA.
2018: Winter Fantasy Sawdust Art Festival / Laguna Beach, California.
2018: Sawdust Art Festival Summer Exhibition / Laguna Beach, California.
January to June 2015: Irvine Museum UCI, Irvine California / Invitation Only by Museum Board
Exhibition Group Show: The Nature of Water: Our Most Precious Resources.
December 2014 to January 2015: San Diego California Museum Artist Guild.Juried Group Exhibition /“Illuminated.” Exhibition.
December 2014 – Dec. 2014: Suzi Q Gallery/Laguna Beach Art Museum / Group Exhibition / “Nature and Conservation.” Oct. 2014 – Dec. 2014.
Oct. 2014: Friends of the Ballona Wetlands. “Midnight on the Marsh” Gala Silent Auction / Group Exhibition/ Presented custom illuminated manuscript artwork award of a Great Blue Heron commissioned for Governor Gray Davis of California Exhibited at the gala and donated an original illuminated letter entitled, “B for Ballona Wetland Bird,” at the silent auction.
Awards
2022 2nd Place : 20th Annual Art Exhibition for
“Art That’s Small at City Hall .” Laguna Beach CA.
2021 2nd Place : 15th Annual Juried Fine Art Exhibition at Laguna Beach City Hall November
2021 Laguna Beach CA.
2021 Gallery Choice Award : Delaware Fine Art Gallery Annual Earth Day Exhibition
2014 April: City of Laguna Beach Arts Commission, Annual Juried Exhibition. “Art That’s Small at City Hall”. / First Place Winner for “B for Brown Pelican.”
2014 Best New Artist/ 200 Exhibiters / Summer 2014 Sawdust Arts Festival in Laguna Beach California
2014 Sawdust Arts Summer Festival / Group Exhibition / 200 Local Artists / Third Place / Best Booth by a 1st-year artist.
2014 March Graceful Envelope Contest / Online Group Show /30 Artists
Washington D.C. / Honorable Mention.
2014 April: City of Laguna Beach Arts Commission, Annual Juried Exhibition. “Art That’s Small at City Hall”. First Place Winner for “B for Brown Pelican.”
2007 October Faerie Con Convention: / Over 150 Exhibitors / FaerieCon Convention . Showcased original artwork prints, and posters in Pittsburg Pennsylvania.
2008 December Brian Froud /Best New Artist of the Year 2008 and featured at FaerieCon Convention in 2007.
Work Experience
2013 to Present: “The Illuminated Letter” company based in Laguna Beach California. The company specializes in creating custom Illuminated Manuscripts, Letters, and Pet Portraits highlighting commemorative occasions using archival materials of the Renaissance.
2004 to 2008 Fairyland Portraits / Created one-of-a-kind custom portraits and landscapes with fairy and mythological-based themes.
2002 to 2007 “Butterfly Studio”, Denver Colorado, which provided artisan painting for interior design wall treatments including murals, wallpapers, and Italian Venetian plaster finishes.
2002 to 2007 Denver Symphony Parade of Homes Features in custom homes with wall finishes, murals, and frescoes.
2000 to 2002: Textile fabric design for Karman Western wear and Roper/ Denver Colorado.
1986 to 1999: Designed textiles and graphics for companies including Osh Kosh Bigosh, Adolpho, and Christian Dior Sleepwear New York.
1988 to 1990: Illustrated the Costume Bible for Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Broadway production of Miss Saigon; used as the main costume guide for future New York and Off-Broadway productions.
Publications and Interviews:
2014 to 2016: Interviews, Publications, Podcasts. Laguna Beach Arts and Entertainment Section, Stu’s News Laguna Beach Front Page Section, Laguna Beach’s Only FM Station
2002 to 2007 Mural and wall finished works featured in Ventura County Star Newspaper, Colorado Homes and LifeStyles Magazine.
Teaching
February to March 2020 Master Calligraphy Workshop / Aliso Viejo California/ Featured at ArtVenture OC / Aliso Viejo Parks and Recreation
December 2019 to March 2020: Aliso Viejo California/ Featured at ArtVenture OC
Featured instructor / Children After School and Adult Master Class Painting and Drawing Programs.
March 2019 to March 2020 YMM Art Space / Fashion Instructor / Little Fashion Program/ After School Art Program/ Taught students fashion design, textile design, and garment construction.