Judy Stanfill

Nampa, Idaho | Watercolor | Plein Air & “Whimsical Reality”

“I PAINT. I DO ART. I AM AN ARTIST.”

Judy Stanfill’s journey as an artist began with something as simple as a standard #2 yellow pencil and a lifelong love of drawing. After retiring with her husband from California to Nampa, Idaho, in 2005, Judy discovered a new chapter in her creative life through the Nampa Art Guild.

Since joining the Guild in 2006, she has explored a wide variety of artistic mediums, attended countless workshops, and spent many Wednesdays learning, creating, and enjoying the company of fellow artists. She has served as President of the Nampa Art Guild and as an Ambassador of the Arts at the Nampa Civic Center. Today, she is a member of the Guild’s Plein Air group as well as Urban Sketchers, and has embraced watercolor as her primary medium.

Over the years, Judy has earned numerous ribbons and artistic awards in a variety of mediums. What she once described as being a “Jack of all trades, but master of none” has evolved into something much more certain: she is an artist.

Painting En Plein Air

For Judy, the freedom of painting outdoors is what makes plein air so special. It can happen anywhere—a pond, creek, river, mountain, or open sky—and every experience brings something different.

You can feel the chill of an early morning or the warmth of the sunshine. You can watch the landscape change before you. For Judy, “it’s a new experience every time.”

One of her favorite places to paint is Wilson’s Pond in Nampa, a local spot that makes her feel as though she has stepped into the wilderness.

A Creative Process of Discovery

Judy’s creative process begins with an idea that simply won’t leave her alone. When an image takes hold in her mind, she feels compelled to bring it to life. It might begin with a sketch, followed by a consideration of colors and the background, particularly as she works in watercolor.

But there is one essential requirement: she has to really like it.

Her work reflects a growing sense of freedom and self-discovery through watercolor. She describes her artistic style as “Whimsical Reality”—a fitting expression for an artist who embraces both what she sees and the imaginative possibilities of what she can create.

Artist’s Perspective

Judy believes that life lives in many different ways, and that artists bring a little of themselves to every piece they create. With each painting, she finds a way to live through her heart and her mind, discovering something new about herself along the way.

After years of exploring different mediums and artistic paths, Judy has found herself in watercolor—and she is loving every moment of it.

“I thank God every day. I AM AN ARTIST.”