Overview
Down to Earth
Judy Thompson + Jon Nibbe
Artist Reception Friday, August 2nd from 5:30pm – 8:00pm
Showing August 2nd – August 31st
Through their utilization of the elements, ceramist Jon Nibbe and watercolor artist Judy Thompson explore the complex relationship between creativity and the natural world. Down to Earth invites us to take a closer look at our rugged landscape & embrace the gifts of the earth.
About the artists:
Judy Thompson’s layered and imaginative watercolors are informed by the fields, farms and prairies of the Midwest. By rendering her work with granular pigments and pure charcoal, she creates a gritty, down-to-earth connection to this rugged landscape. Thompson further connects us to the land by outlining found shapes within her paintings, suggesting the complex relationships within this vast and beautiful ecosystem.
Judy Thompson is an “artist of the plains” who finds inspiration from America’s heartland. Her sophisticated watercolors have received numerous national and regional awards and have been exhibited in solo and group shows throughout the Midwest. Her work is informed by her experiences as an artist-in-residence at the Homestead National Historical Park, NE, Badlands National Park, SD and Custer State Park, SD. Judy also created the cover art for the Pioneer Girl Series, celebrating the life and work of Laura Ingalls Wilder. She is a signature member of the Iowa Watercolor Society and an associate member of WAOW (Women Artists of the West).
Jon Nibbe graduated from Minnesota State University, receiving both his BFA (2006) and MA (2008) in ceramics. Following his studies in Mankato, MN, Jon decided to further his education and traveled to Taiwan, where he pursued his MFA (2011) in studio arts. From there, his work led him to Kanazawa, Japan, where he worked for 18 months under the guide of a local family of ceramists. Since then, Jon has returned to Minnesota to start his own studio and continues to use the influence of Taiwanese and Japanese culture in his work.
Jon has always had a love for clay and the different processes that working with the material entails. To Jon, becoming involved in each step of the process allows the artist to fully delve into the physicality, intention, alchemy, and intuition of clay. He does not limit himself to one technique and enjoys working freely on the wheel as well as creating intricate textural designs within his work. The final product is not his favorite part of being a ceramist, but instead loves how the art form can entice experimentation and bring together a group of fellow enthusiasts.