WHO'S WHO in
Judy Crookston
Artist Statement - Judith Crookston, M.Photog; M.Artist
My later works can be described as a hybrid of photography and painting. Once I select an image to enhance, I use Corel Painter and Photoshop to create painted images. Brush strokes are achieved with a Wacom pen tablet using selected brush styles found after several years of trial and error in Painter and Photoshop. It's a perfect meld of traditional photography and painting.
It all starts with the photography. I became a wedding photographer and eventually branched out into families, high school seniors and pets.
I look for subjects that inspire me. Lately I have been immersed in the musician scene, working with the JSO and a local musical group. I find musicians to be very inspiring! Sometimes it's a matter of capturing the soul of the musician, presenting them in their best possible light. Other times, I get carried off in a fantasy and try to bring that fantasy to life on a canvas.
BIO-
A life-long resident of Johnstown, Judy graduated from the Art Institute of
Pittsburgh School of Visual Communications in 1971. She found work at
Glosser Bros. advertising department, intending to stay just long enough
to gain experience and then move one to bigger things. However, life
happened and she stayed with Glosser Bros./Gee Bee Stores
for 25 years, ending her career, as Creative Director, when they were
bought out in 1992. During her tenure with the department stores she
began a career in wedding photography. After several years Judy joined
The Triangle Photographers Assoc. in Pittsburgh in order to learn more
about the business and artistic aspects of photography. Eventually all the
time spent studying and absorbing knowledge from many professional
photographers who were outstanding in their field, she decided to enter
the realm of photographic competition in 2011. It was competition that honed her skills, and in 2015 she was awarded Master Photographer status from The Professional Photographers of America. Numerous other awards followed, including many images accepted into the prestigious PPA Loan Collection. Her attention then turned to digital image enhancement, using image manipulation software and a creative imagination to take her images into another realm. In July 2023 she attained Master Artist status. Judy says that she may have gotten into the education and competition later in life, but "it's never too late to teach an old dog new tricks. And the learning never stops."
Notable Exhibits & Awards -
PPA Loan Collection -2011, 2013, 2014, 2020, 2021, 2022
Solo Show -Bottle Works 2018
Triangle Photog. Assoc. Best Commercial Image 2010
Allied Artists -???? to present- a few awards
You can visit her website at: crookstonphotography.com
Judy Crookston
WHO'S WHO in
Artwork by Judy
