Sadly, Judith Gardner NEAC RBA passed away on 14 February 2025. She will be greatly missed by her fellow members, some of whom shared their memories in a tribute that you can read here.

Artist Statement

The subject matter for Judith’s  paintings was drawn mainly from the Kent countryside and the sea, as well as her garden. She painted mainly in oils from drawings and oil sketches made in situ, completing the work in her studio. She also worked on larger paintings from memory and imagination.

 

Method of Working

Judith’s painting was to a certain extent representational. It began with ideas and sketches based on strong observation. Once the composition had been decided upon, the reality was not so necessary for her to develop the painting. This enabled her to create the light and atmosphere with tone, colour and brushwork. Strong shapes were worked with large brushes and rags and she finally tightened up on certain areas where she wanted more detail and focus. For this she used smaller brushes and a rigger for the final drawing and mark-making.

 

Biographical Details

  • Studied at Maidstone College of Art (BA Hons, Fine Art)
  • 1974 Awarded the David Murray Scholarship for landscape painting
  • After leaving college, Judith taught drawing & painting at Adult Education Centres as well as A-level and GCSE Art and for the BTEC Design & Display course
  • 1998 Moved back to Kent to paint full time

 

Other Society Memberships

  • Royal Society of British Artists
  • Small Painting Group

 

Scholarships, Awards & Prizes

  • 2008 Humphrey's Purchase Prize at the Discerning Eye Exhibition
  • 2005 The UBS Award at the RBA Exhibition
  • 2003 The de Laszlo Medal at the RBA Exhibition
  • 2002 The Artist's Magazine Prize at the RBA Exhibition
  • 2001 The Fabbrica Prize at the RBA Exhibition
  • 1998 Christie's Award, New English
  • 1990 Open College Award at the Britain’s Painters Exhibition
  • 1989 Goldline Oil Painting Award at Britain’s Painters Exhibition

 

Past Exhibitions

  • Royal Academy Summer Exhibition
  • Royal Society of British Artists Open Exhibition
  • Royal Institute of Oil Painters Open Exhibition
  • Discerning Eye (including invited artist by William Bowyer RA and John Deston)
  • Russell Gallery, Putney, London (group & two solo exhibitions)
  • Geedon Gallery, Fingringhoe, Colchester, Essex
  • Jerram Gallery, Sherborne, Dorset
  • Josephine Harpur Gallery, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk