Judi's Thoughts on Art: Central Themes



Judith Lynn Keats
Natural Mandala
Digital Photo

Author Linda Weintraub states in her book Art on the Edge and Over: Searching for Meaning in Contemporary Society 1970s-1990s that “today, artists are more distinguished by theme than style.”

My art reflects Weintraub’s statement as I utilize a variety of methods and/or techniques to express a consistent interest in central themes derived from natural earth elements (physical embodiment) and the hidden mystical realms (spiritual domains). I value the choice to move from one media to another as my creative spirit directs to explore possibilities and innovations.

Judith Keats - Semiradelphi: Engaging a Transpersonal Path, MFA-IA Thesis portfolio, Goddard College, VT, 2009, page 1.

Weintraub, Linda. Art on the Edge and Over: Searching for Art’s Meaning in Contemporary Society 1970’s-1990’s. Litchfield, CT: Art Insights, Inc., 1996.

Judi's Thoughts on Art: Art Expresses Life Force



Judith Lynn Keats
Holy Essence
Gouache on black paper
10 x 10 inches


I believe art is about expressing our life force, our energy, our heart and spirit.

Art is about communication, communion and community. It is an invitation to engage in a contemplation of one’s relationship and interconnectedness to life, humanity, compassion and universal creative source or Divine Essence.

Art is about the transfer, the transmission, the exchange, the interaction of ideas, thoughts, dreams and imaginings from one’s inner being made visible through a specific vehicle of physical form such as painting, film, writing, music, dance, motion, mime, etc.

It is about intention and expression of an insight, vision, and imaginative contemplation.

Judith Keats - Semiradelphi: Engaging a Transpersonal Path, MFA-IA Thesis portfolio, Goddard College, VT, 2009, page 31.

SKETCHBOOK SERIES - SUMMER MORN, 1. AUGUST 2015



Sunday Summer Morning
Bear Creek, PA
Watercolor and graphite
5.5 x 8 inches
August 2, 2015
11:00 a.m. facing east

Crackly grackles, cooing mourning doves, whistling cardinals, chattering finches, buzzing hummers, cheery chickadees, bossy squirrels, buzzing bees, and darting, squeaky chipmunks each add an energy of bustling excitement and delight to my summer morning garden.

White and pink phlox, red geraniums, magenta bee balm, and lemon colored evening primroses paint a vivid palette of color drenched in sunlight.

Alas, the limited pigments of my watercolor palette cannot adequately convey the glowing hues of color against the deep mysterious greens. Perhaps I need to use pure pastels next time!

Click on image to enlarge.

SKETCHBOOK SERIES - SUMMER MORN, 2. AUGUST 2015



Sunday Summer Invitation
Bear Creek, PA
Watercolor and graphite
5.5 x 8 inches
August 2, 2015
2:30 p.m. facing northeast

A community of trees extend an invitation to an ascend a luminous green pathway to brighter possibilities.
A lone grackle stands watch.

I continue to be fascinated by the horizontal shapes found inbetween the spaces of the vertical trees and branches. I perceive vertical (spiritual-heaven) and horizontal (physical-earthly) lines as archetypal symbols. Perhaps, something magical happens when a vertical and a horizontal shape intersect and connect to each other.

Click on image to enlarge.

Art Quote

"Each man’s life represents a road toward himself."

Herman Hesse - (1877-1962) German-born Swiss poet, writer, and painter

SKETCHBOOK SERIES - BELIZE 1. MARCH 2015



Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary Lagoon, Belize
Watercolor and micron pen
5.5 x 8 inches
March 16, 2015
7:00 a.m. facing east

Blue-winged teals, egrets and assorted waterfowl create a flurry of activity along the lagoon's shoreline.

I steady myself on a small collapsible stool, quite mindful not to move too suddenly and lose my balance. Watercolors, pencils and sketch book are in my lap.

I am set up in a marshy area along the beautiful lagoon close to a cow path. I marvel at the bright white sunshine, dancing sparkles on the water, and warm breezes. I strive to capture the gestures of the constantly moving birds playing hide and seek amid the tall brush and grasses. Empty Apple snail shells dot the wet land where I sit.

Winsor & Newton Watercolor Filed Box is perfect for quick
"en plein air" studies!


Click on image to enlarge.

SKETCHBOOK SERIES - BELIZE 2. MARCH 2015



Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary Lagoon, Belize
Watercolor and micron pen
5.5 x 8 inches
March 16, 2015
8:45 a.m. facing east

Waterfowl create a flurry of activity along the lagoon's shoreline.

While drawing, to my delight, two white herons walk out from behind a tall marshy bush.
They stretch their necks and linger for a short time. The lagoon water is alive with sparkling white light that mirrors a luminous sunlit sky.

Click on image to enlarge.

SKETCHBOOK SERIES - BELIZE 3. MARCH 2015



Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary Lagoon, Belize
Watercolor and graphite
5.5 x 8 inches
March 16, 2015
10:00 a.m. facing northeast

Blue-winged teals and assorted waterfowl move up the lagoon's shoreline as the sky begins to reveal the promise of blue.

I enjoy watching the brilliant white sunshine sky of early morning transform into mid morning pools of cerulean blue amid billowy white clouds. I am immersed in the depths and intensity of the azure hue. The beauty of the color stirs my heart and momentarily takes my breath away. Stunning day and place to be!

Click on image to enlarge.

SKETCHBOOK SERIES - BELIZE 4. MARCH 2015



Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary, Belize
Watercolor and graphite
5.5 x 8 inches
March 19, 2015
7:30 a.m. facing southeast

The intense sunlight patterns fall across the grassy backyard of the lodge and contrast the yellow green sunlight filtering through the upright plants. Logwood tree posts stand 5' to 6' tall, fortified with barbed wire to create purposeful fencing.

While drawing, I am surprised to see an orchid hanging down from the bullet tree! The lagoon is to the left and looks white in the morning sun. Each logwood post is uniquely shaped and as tall as me!

Click on image to enlarge.

SKETCHBOOK SERIES - BELIZE 5. MARCH 2015



Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary, Belize
Watercolor and graphite
5.5 x 8 inches
March 19, 2015
8:45 a.m. facing southeast

The single lacey logwood tree (also called an indigo tree in Belize) creates an interesting contrast to the 6' tall logwood fence posts at the far edge of the meadow.

Birds continually fly in and out of the logwood tree while an inquisitive horse paces anxiously up and down the length of the fence as I happily captured the moment.

Click on image to enlarge.