2026 Charlottesville SOUP Submission

GIANTESSA'S BRACELET

Originally created for a Loving Kindness Exhibit at OMYoga in New York City, this 5 foot bracelet made of colorful felt figures sewn together spells out the message "I am Listening to You." The piece was gifted to owner Cyndi Lee and now serves as inspiration for a new large-scale sculptural work to be created in Charlottesville.

The SOUP grant would fund the development and realization of this compassionate piece, which will span approximately 6-8 feet—the bracelet of a mythical, Italian giantessa. The bracelet is hung on a wall. The project would unfold in three stages: design time to reimagine the bracelet concept (potentially in metal or other materials that honor the form of an open bracelet), collaboration with a local Charlottesville craftsperson to bring the piece to life, and a community presentation or opening at a downtown retail or wellness space.

At its heart, Giantessa's Bracelet carries a simple but powerful message: "I am Listening to You"—a visual reminder of connection and loving kindness that Judy hopes to share with her new community in Charlottesville.

Painting

Blue Rule

Drilling

40 in x 50 in
Acrylic on Canvas
2017

I appreciate the atmosphere created in this painting, along with its moody tonalities. I can only take credit for discovering the concept and making the choices involved. I am revisiting the theme of the abstract landscape, which also appears in my other works, such as "Rainbow Mountain" and "Coastal Living 3." The outcome feels both direct and amusing to me. I am telling a story with a somewhat vague understanding of its narrative, much like a writer who is uncertain about his own words. Nonetheless, the narrative is complete, and it resonates.

I hope viewers are drawn into the abstract energy of the piece.

Sunset Lake

28 in x 28 in
Acrylic on Canvas
2016

"Sunset Lake," like other paintings from this period, reflects my connection to the environment.

The manner in which I applied the paint allowed me to connect deeply with the image. While abstract, I found a lake and the memory of Tahoe came to mind and the beauty and good feeling of that experience.

There are distressed areas which add to the beauty and dimension.

Judy's abstract paintings are a vibrant response to nature—an active feast of liquid color that translates landscape into pure energy and emotion.

Her journey began in the late 80s in Manhattan, where legendary event producer Robert Isabell (Studio 54) recognized her talent and invited her into his creative circle. She had the extraordinary opportunity to work alongside Jean Michel Basquiat, Keith Haring, and

Kenny Scharf on the opening of the Palladium in NYC. Those early years were spent painting in studios across the city—Robert's warehouse in Midtown West, the Lower

East Side, and Hell's Kitchen—absorbing the raw energy of New York's art scene.

She also worked as a graphic designer and textile artist, and published an award-winning children's book. In 2014, seeking a different pace and inspired to explore abstract painting more deeply, she moved to Florida's Gulf Coast. There, surrounded by light, water, and color, she spent two years creating large-scale energetic abstracts. Life eventually drew her back to New York, but the realities of finding affordable studio space in the city meant painting took a back seat to survival and work in design.

Now based in Charlottesville, Virginia, Judy is exploring new opportunities to return

to painting and a creative life.