This is the last week to check out the art of Judy Maples in the Jasper gallery space at Sound Bites Eatery, just a block off Main Street on Sumter. Maples artworks are beautiful abstractions created using a lovely color palette that almost seems to jump off the walls.
Below, we share the artist’s own words as she reflects on her paintings.
What do these things have in common: soil, puff pastry, music, and my abstract paintings?
Layers.
My painting process is based on instinct, intuition, and emotion. The layers in my abstracts reflect my life experiences and the stories I carry with me. When I start a new canvas, I don’t have a clear plan or a specific image in mind. I allow the painting to evolve naturally, letting each layer guide me to the next. This approach allows me to be fully present in the moment, to respond to the colors and textures as they emerge, and to create something that feels authentic.
The first layer often consists of random marks and strokes of bold colors applied with a sense of freedom and spontaneity. Then I add layers and textures that overlap to create depth and complexity. One of my favorite techniques is to apply a layer of paint and then scrape most of it away, revealing glimpses of the layers beneath. As I add layers, I refine the composition to add depth, complexity, and emotion.
My abstract paintings continue to evolve in the eye of the viewer. Each person sees something different, finds their own meaning in the layers, and adds their own story to the painting. Only then is the painting finished.
My abstracts, with their many layers and textures, have depth and a sense of history, leaving the viewer to think, “I wonder what’s under that top layer?”
Maples’ work will remain up for viewing through Saturday morning, November 29th.