Interview: Judi Keeshan
Judi Keeshan is a Brooklyn based painter who has a vibrant and whimsical style, combining elements of abstraction with symbolic imagery. Judi has a MFA in Fine Arts from School of visual Arts. She has been featured in two solo exhibitions at One River School and group exhibitions in New York, Los Angeles, and Miami; including Luz de Jesus Gallery, Satellite Art Fair, Chashama, PARADICE PALASE, Local Projects and many others. Her compositions are filled with bold colors and dynamic forms, creating a sense of lively energy and visual impact. A common theme in her work is magical or cosmic beings in the night sky filled with crescent moons and stars, adding to the mystical atmosphere of the work. Judi’s ability to blend abstract and representational elements is visually engaging and emotionally expressive with painterly bright colors.
Read our interview with Judi below!
Studio view in Brooklyn, NY
PP: Walk us through a typical day in your studio or generally through your process to make new work.
JK: A typical day at my studio is arriving early and staying late. Certain days are reserved for making sketches. I will make drawings with Crayola markers and oil pastels in bold colors. After the sketches are complete, I often cut up and collage my sketches. Sketching and planning are an important process when I’m creating a painting.
I often give myself a goal to reach; for a couple of years, almost each week, I gave myself a deadline to finish at least five 16X20 inch canvases in two days. I wanted to have as many ideas as possible and to further develop my visual vocabulary.
It’s important for me to have empty canvases to paint on or empty spaces to encourage the flow of new work. I like to change the way I work. I believe switching mediums or ideas forces me to change my way of thinking from one project to the next. This prevents me from having creative blocks and gives me sparks of inspiration.
Midnight’s Creatures, Acrylic, fabric and modeling paste on canvas, 36 X 48 inches, 2024
Gaia’s Garden, Acrylic, fabric and modeling paste on canvas, 36 X 48 inches, 2024
PP: What motivates you to make art?
JK: I make art because I like what I create and by nature I am curious. If I had to follow a particular formula, I would not enjoy making art. Art is playtime... and the best artists are the ones who have the most fun playing.
PP: What is one goal you are aiming to achieve this year for your art practice?
JK: I intend to create more movement directness in my paintings. Each brush stroke will have freedom, looseness and confidence. I am going bigger with my canvases. Painting larger for me is to move across the canvas with rhythm and liveliness. People will see more energy in my paintings this year.
Work in progress
PP: What role do you think artists have in society today? What role should they have?
JK: When I create, I attempt to make work that surprises people in some way. Maybe they will question what art is supposed to be and feel inspired. Artists are leaders. They inspire and influence how we think. Artists are bold and they challenge us to think big and push boundaries of what is considered art. Art can provoke thought and explore new possibilities. Artists also give a sense of community where their work is seen and discovered.
PP: Name a childhood toy (or memory/cultural reference) you had, that you think relates to your practice today.
JK: So, there are two things come to mind. My aunt was a painter; she would teach me how to use color with light and atmosphere in my paintings. She showed me the paint applications of the impressionists. I loved their direct vibrant colors applied straight out of the tube. Their application of paint inspired me to push saturated color further. The impressionists inspired me to create a lively mood in my work with color.
I was fascinated with music videos. I loved the Avant Garde styles, especially the fashion. My interest varied when I was young. I was a dancer, musician and artist, so MTV completely captivated me. Videos were movement, sound, and visuals all in one. I loved the bold graphics. My interest in music videos motivated me to find inspiration from sources other than art history. My work draws interest from fashion, patterns, textiles and often folk or outsider art.
PP: What would a dream project look like for you as an artist?
JK: A dream project would be a painting marathon leading to a solo exhibition. I would like a large space filled with 48X60 inch blank canvases. Each canvas would have a unique palette. No two paintings would have the same paint combination. The palette would be pre-mixed and ready to go. I would only have a couple of days to complete them. I tend to make my best work when it is easy and not overworked. It would be interesting to see what I could make if I was painting large scale with a limited amount of time.
To learn more about Judi’s work, see her Instagram and Website