We were lucky to catch up with Judi Bagnato recently and have shared our conversation below.
Judi, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?
I think I have always known that I would create art throughout my life, whether it was professionally or not. Painting, drawing and creating is such a part of me. I couldn’t imagine doing anything else. When I became a believer, I wanted to share my faith with others through my artwork, so they too can be inspired and find a sense of peace and comfort whether they are part of the nonsecular community or not.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
Actually, for many years I spent the majority of my time in the studio creating art that fit the needs of my clients, mostly interior designers. They would present me with the colors, sizes and other specifications they needed, and I would work with them to create unique paintings. I have always liked working with mixed media paintings, both on canvas and on wood. I never purposely painted in any style but at some point I did realize that my paintings all had a certain “look.” When I became interested in faith-inspired art, I realized the market primarily consisted of mass-produced prints of religious scenes or quotes of Bible verses. I knew I wanted to create art that was sophisticated and completely different than what was already available. I also desired to impact people’s lives through spiritually inspired art to share a feeling and message of hope, joy, love and truth. While my art provides a visual expression of my faith, on many of my paintings it is very subtle or abstract.
Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?
My journey has been driven by creating works that bring about feelings of calmness and comfort, which seemed to be especially helpful for people during the pandemic. Although my paintings are inspired by my faith with a Bible verse or prayer in mind, I wanted my art to also appeal to the secular community. My abstract work invites the viewer to interpret each piece, so one person might view the painting as spiritual and another person could view it as harmonious. I believe that having a peaceful space to help center us is crucial for nourishing our souls. I want my clientele and admirers to feel some of the same feelings of serenity and tranquility that I feel as I create the art. During my creative process I first think of the intentions I want my art to reflect, then create different layers of muted colors and images to best represent that. I also enjoy creating custom art for my collectors… I don’t want my pieces to just match one’s interior design in their home or offices; I want them to motivate people to slow down, be mindful and admire how beautiful the gift of life is.
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
The most rewarding aspect of being a creative person has been witnessing how much my art can create an environment of tranquility and peace. Sharing my connection to God with my audience has strengthened my faith, especially after seeing my motivations for the foundation of my art come to light.
I strongly believe that our surroundings should affect us in a positive, uplifting way, which I try to portray through my paintings. Knowing that my work has helped people during these difficult past couple of years has been an illuminating experience and makes me feel like I am truly making a difference.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://judibagnatoart.com
- Instagram: @judibagnato
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JudiBagnatoArt/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/judi-bagnato-31165520a/