We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Jeanne Hudson a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Jeanne, appreciate you joining us today. We’re complete cheeseballs and so we love asking folks to share the most heartwarming moment from their career – do you have a touching moment you can share with us?

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Creativity and the arts, in one form or another, have defined my life as a creative and as a person from a very young age. I have  enjoyed a  busy but wonderful life raising a family with my husband of 56 years, while working in the education and technology field before retirement a few years ago.  Art was put on the back burner to be revisited when the time was right. I needed to be ‘in the zone’ to focus and concentrate.

That time arrived, when  a global pandemic ground the world to a halt.   I resurrected my painting supplies, turned on my computer and began to search for inspirational learning opportunities.

Fast forward to today, and I am in my fourth year of  learning  and being mentored by master artists through Jed Dorsey’s Acrylic University.  Dedication to studying,learning and practicing the art of acrylic painting, and hundreds of paintings later,  I have emerged with more success and confidence as an artist than I ever imagined in such a short period of time. I have committed to continue my studies as long as I can paint, knowing there is always more to learn.

My inspiration is taken from the natural beauty of the world we live in and the people and creatures we share it with. Impressionism is what I am aiming for in the landscapes, florals and portraiture that I paint.

Recently, I have enjoyed working on commissions with clients, have had great success at art exhibitions and private online sales, and have taught the skills I have learned to others through our local art association.

One of the highlights in my journey as an artist occurred in 2022, when I travelled to southern France to attend a two week artists’ retreat. The excitement of travelling and trekking through the beautiful towns and countryside with a group of artists,  sketching and plein air painting along the way, was an invaluable experience for me.

After being juried into a couple of art exhibitions in 2023, I have been invited back to exhibit my art again,  as well as be a juror for one of them in 2024.

Although selling a painting is gratifying, it’s not why I paint. When  someone has the desire to purchase a painting,  it is often because of an emotional connection that I was able to create in my art for that person. That is why I love what I do and must continue as long as I can. That is my success. That is my joy!

Apart from the art world, I am an avid pickleball player, joining my peers two or three times a week for sport and comradery.

As an emerging artist, I describe myself as a  ‘late bloomer boomer’, although my mind thinks I’m much younger, proving  it’s never too late to learn and achieve success.

Putting training and knowledge aside, what else do you think really matters in terms of succeeding in your field?

Practice. It is essential to put in the time and effort to practice the concepts learned and to keep the creative juices flowing. For me, that is painting every day possible, even if it is only for a short period of time. Practice is essential for success in anything.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

Artists’ critiques are a necessary learning tool,  whether just beginning or more accomplished.  Critiques allow for growth and resilience.

A nearby art gallery  extended an invitation for artists to exhibit their work.  I decided to venture a little further on my art journey and apply to a gallery for the first time. Through a juried process, my submission was appreciated but respectfully rejected. While that was a bit of a disappointment, I realized it was not a negative reflection of my work.  Instead, it offered me another learning opportunity that strengthened my artistic tenacity.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @jeannehudsonart
• Facebook: Jeanne Hudson (send a friend request with a PM)

Image Credits
Image credit for my personal portrait to Lisa Ray Koenig, Groovy Cats art. The remaining images depicting my artwork were taken by myself.