For Episode 43…Judy took the show on the road to the Waterloo Arts district in Cleveland, Ohio to check out New Beginnings, curated by Davon Brantley at Waterloo Arts.
Through this exhibition, we are, as viewers, exposed to an altogether different paradigm, one in which women artists from a spectrum of cultural experiences take center stage.
Through a variety of media choices we hear from these women; their views on race, environment, cultural stigmas/standards, broken traditions, the personal, the psychological and more.
Artists: Stina Aleah, Ashley Bohanon, Amirah Cunningham, ChristaFreehands, Kacey Gill, Destyni Green, Celena E. Higginbottom, Younghyeon Ryu, Euneata Walker, Lauren Webster.
For Episode 42…we stayed home and hunkered down with a trip to my closet. We checked out some of my oldies but goodie watercolor pieces hanging in the closet hallway, leading to a newly framed beauty by Teresa Oaxaca.Watch her video here.
THEN then I show you and talk about some of the fabulous vintage outfits I've worn for Living Figuratively in 2020…AAAAND tell you where I got them!
Fine! I'll tell you now…Getup Vintage in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and Sweet Lorain in Cleveland, Ohio
For Episode 41…the first for 2021, Judy takes the show on the road once again to visit The Artists Archives of the Western Reserve in University Circle, Cleveland, Ohio.
About Body/About Face, curated by AAWR Executive Director, Mindy Tousley, is a small-group, figurative exhibition which examines the representation of African American bodies in art and culture. Featuring 7 regional creators, Amanda King, LaSaundra Robinson, Tony Williams, Davon Brantley, Jacques P Jackson, Lawrence Baker and Yvonne Palkowitsh, the show includes paintings, mixed media installations, photography, mosaics, and textiles, creating a compelling display which is both a meditation and celebration of black identity.
About Body/About Face continues through January 16th.
Originally aired December 31, 2020
New Year's Eve, like Christmas Eve this year…is on a Thursday night, and for Living Figuratively it was business as usual!
For Episode 40, Judy unveiled two new paintings…a diptych…from her Goddess Project, Epiphany of Eve and Epiphany of Pandora. She told us why these two characters from the Judeo-Christian bible and Greek Mythology have so much in common.
And, as always, during these difficult Covid times, the artist will be paying forward 50% of the profits from any sales,into the struggling art community.
Originally aired December 24, 2020
Episode 39 is the Christmas Special…Live, Original and Spectacular!
Originally aired on Christmas Eve, 2020 Judy skips the figurative art and decorating theme this week, but continues her weekly tribute to 1960s TV shows of her childhood with her own personal take on a Christmas Classic…which she just so happens to have a collection of stuffed animals from!
Santa won't eat, Christmas is in jeopardy and there's an insurrection brewing on the Island of the Misfit Toys! All good Christmas fun…with maybe a thing or two to think about too!
And, as always, during these difficult Covid times, Judy will be paying forward 50% of the profits from any sales, into the struggling art community.
Originally aired December 17, 2020
For Episode 38, Judy took you down to the basement
Rec Room, to show you reclaimed wood, Southwestern Corbels, figurative art, and the fancy eat'n table!
Featured work by Judy, from her Age of Adventure series, painting senior citizens and also two paintings by the legendary Shirley Aley Campbell!
And, as always, during these difficult Covid times, she'll be paying forward 50% of the profits from any sales,into the struggling art community.
Originally aired December 10, 2020
For Episode 37, I continued my series, Shopping the Art Shows and went to Ursuline College in Cleveland, Ohio to see the New Masters Show.
New Masters was conceived by Wasmer Gallery Director Anna Arnold two years ago to give a spotlight to the work of women artists of Ohio. You'll see work by featured works by Jill Eisert, Kimberly Chapman, Samantha Bias, Melissa Harris, Best in Show winner, Mandem…and so many more!
Juried by Lakeland College Gallery Director and Lakeland May Show mastermind, Mary Urbas , I take you on a tour focusing on the figurative art in the show and spotlighting some gems that you can buy.
To schedule a visit or purchase a work from the gallery email Anna Arnold at aarnold@ursuline.edu.View the whole show in detail here.
New Masters continues through January 29, 2021.
Ursuline College observes Covid Guidelines with social distancing and masks worn at all times on campus.
Originally aired December 3, 2020
For Episode 36, I continue my series, Shopping the Art Shows. This time we head to the heart of Lakewood, Ohio to Mahall’s MOCHA!
Mahall’s MOCHA is the upstairs art gallery at the legendary Mahall’s Bowling Alley, Bar and Eatery in Lakewood! Conceived and run by Antwoine Washington in a very recent effort to save Mahall’s,their upstairs gallery space has a specific mission: to give a voice to Black Artists.
And for the past month, fellow CIA Alum, Davon Brantley has had his solo show in this lovely, intimate and beautifully lit space! Davon be joined me to talk about his work in the show, his influences and the messages he wants to convey.
Email inquiries to Davon Brantley:
Originally aired November 26, 2020
Episode 35 is a quickie with a little Thanksgiving message and insight from a perennial Thanksgiving favorite.
Judy channels the "other Judy" playing Dorothy from Wizard of Oz…who, after 80 years of saying it, finally, in 2020, realizes that there's no place like home.
Judy expresses her thanks to viewers and pays the love…and money…forward into the struggling art community.
50% of the profits from all sales right now are being paid forward into the struggling art community during these difficult Covid times.
Originally aired Novembver 19, 2020
For Episode 34, I continue my series, Shopping the Art Shows.
This time we head to quaint downtown Chagrin Falls to see the 49th Annual Juried Exhibition at the Valley Art Center. I take you on a little walk through tour focusing on the figurative art in the show and spotlighting some gems that you can buy in person, or through the website.
Featured works by Lee Heinen, Jill Eisert, Michael W. High, Diane Pardy Farr, Roy Grygowski, Kim Chapman, Samantha Bias, Kim Barnes, Best in Show winner, Linda Mayer…and so many more!
In the video, I'm standing next to David Shankland's Second Place Award winning sculpture, Food.
Originally aired November 12, 2020
For Episode 33 we revisited the Love, Athena Triptych.
Since returning from lockdown at the Zanesville Museum of Art I have presented this magnum opus of a painting on Living Figuratively twice, first here and then here. Since those presentations, I have realized that the portrait of my friend Pam, far left in the center panel, wasn't working…and also that the world has changed.
I have given her a Redux and now, I believe it says so much more than it did before.
Since my Chicks with Balls books are already printed, I have created an insert with the new image. If you have already purchased Chicks with Balls: Judy Takács keeps painting unsung female heroes, send me an email with your mailing address and I'll send you the signed insert on heavyweight paper.
All future orders of the book will come with the signed insert included already.
And, as always, during these difficult Covid times, I'll be paying forward 50% of the profits from any sales, into the struggling art community.
Originally aired November 5, 2020
Episode 32, is the first in a series of Shopping the Art Shows.
Judy took us to Hedge Gallery at the 78th Street Studios in Cleveland to see Sarah Curry's Underestimated.
Sarah Curry is a High School art teacher who sees the day to day drama, ordeals and triumphs of teenage life, and paints her students with humor and a depth of understanding that can only be gained through the eyes of a trusted and experienced teacher.
See the works on Hedge Gallery's website or go see them in person during gallery hours, or make an appointment at a time that works for you. Hedge Gallery is located at the fabulous 78th Street Studios on Cleveland's near west side.
Show continues through December 4th.
Originally aired October 29
Just in time for Halloween…
Judy showed us how she has decorated her home for Halloween this year…not too creepy, not too cooky, but she had some fun, and we'll also see a couple of her more scary and Halloween theme paintings.
And, as always, during these difficult Covid times, she'll be paying forward 50% of the profits from any of her sales, into the struggling art community.
Originally aired October 22, 2020
For Episode 30, Judy gave us a quick visit with her painting, Emilie, The Tenth Muse, The One Who Sees…currently included in the 75th Ohio Annual Virtual Juried Exhibition at the Zanesville Museum of Art, Juried by Ken Emerick.
She also told us how her art trajectory has been intertwined with the Zanesville Museum of Art, from the first time she entered the Ohio Annual, to winning Best in Show in 2018, and then opening the Chicks with Balls Show in February 2020 only to have it lockdown due to covid in March 2020…and then launching Living Figuratively!
The 75th Ohio Annual can be viewed on the ZMA website.
Many of the works are for sale and will be online through January 8th.
And, as always, during these difficult Covid times, she'll be paying forward 50% of the profits from any of her sales, into the struggling art community.
Originally aired October 15, 2020
For Episode 29, Judy invited us into the Guest Room in her home…decorated with…you guessed it…Figurative Art.
This episode had blasts from the past, curated clutter and hopes for the future! Also featured were a Seven Deadly Sins inspired portrait of International Filmmaker, Robert Banks, works by Virgil Thrasher and Paul Keysar, finishing up with the story behind the pre-cursor to the Chicks with Balls project, Blue Balls for Scarlet.
And, during these difficult Covid times, Judy will be paying forward 50% of the profits from any of her sales, into the struggling art community.
Originally aired October 8, 2020
For Episode 28, Judy did a little pre-game show before she taking us to Wisconsin for the virtual opening reception of Painting the Figure Now 2020 at the Wausau Museum of Contemporary Art. Giving us an insider look at her Art Show Strategy, Judy showed us what she entered into this show…and why, what she didn't enter…and why, what was rejected and the beautiful chicks portrait that was accepted.
And, during these difficult Covid times, she'll be paying forward 50% of the profits from any of my sales, into the struggling art community.
Originally aired October 1, 2020
For Episode 27, Judy brought us into the heart of the home and family…the Kitchen…to show us how…and why she hangs some of her most influential and important works from her collection in the Kitchen. We'll see work by artists Cathy Rogers, Jeffrey Hein, Daniel Sprick, Katherine Stone and Nicolas Uribe…and a vintage piece by yet another mysterious Hungarian artist…along with some curated clutter!
And, during these difficult Covid times, she'll be paying forward 50% of the profits from any of her sales, into the struggling art community.
Originally aired September 24, 2020
Last week we saw the storage room. This week, I showed you some of my oder paintings that I've has stored over the years…many I haven't seen for almost a decade!
Wearing my critic's hat tonight, and paying tribute to the spirit of the late great Ruth Bader Ginsberg, I will walk the walk and turn the dispassionate critic's eye on my own work.
Some of the older works are available, as is, deeply discounted, and giclees can be made.
Use the website email form to message with offers or questions. And, during these difficult Covid times, as always, I will be paying forward 50% of the profits from any of my sales, into the struggling art community.
Originally aired September 17, 2020
For Episode 25, you saw the good, the bad and the ugly…when I brought you to the back storage room, where all the behind the scenes ”paintenence“ occurs. This is where I keep my props, shipping boxes and also store older paintings between shows and sometimes for perpetuity.
And, during these difficult Covid times, I'll be paying forward 50% of the profits from any of my sales, into the struggling art community.
Originally aired September 10, 2020
For Episode 24, I told you the rest of the story…the Unsolved Mystery in our Family History.
I headed back to the family wall in my living room,
to reveal the newly discovered name of the artist who painted my grandmother's portrait in the 1930s.
I also told you the sad story behind my portrait, Titkos Testvér, The Secret Sister who was sent away. We have no official records of her existence, no photos and only a few sentences about her short and tragic life, but I painted her anyway.
In addition to this show being a Family Affair, I also pay tribute to the amazing Diana Rigg, whose passing at age 82, made headlines the morning the show aired, Sept 10, 2020.
These personal family works are only available in giclee format.
And, during these difficult Covid times,
I'll be paying forward 50% of the profits from any of my sales,
into the struggling art community.
Originally aired September 3, 2020
For Episode 23, Part One of Family History, Unsolved Mystery, I took you into the Living Room to for a look at a David Kassan and A Mark Giangaspero from my collection.
I also showed you some family portraits, the Final Chapter, the last one I painted of my mom before she passed,
and a stunning historical portrait of my grandmother by an unidentified Hungarian artist from the 1930s.
The personal family works are available in giclee format.
And, during these difficult Covid times,
I'll be paying forward 50% of the profits from any of my sales,
into the struggling art community.
Originally aired August 27, 2020
Episode 22 was a quick Special Report, on artist Robert Liberace.
My special report tied in with the Portrait Society of America Worldwide Drawing demo he was giving. I showed you
works of his from my collection, and how I use his work to inspire mine.
And then it was Back to Your Regular Programming…Already in Progress! Just like back in the 1960s, when Special Reports interrupted my favorite shows!
Originally aired August 20, 2020
For Episode 21, I introduce two more of my Goddess Project paintings which I worked on during lockdown.
These works also feature premiere figure model, Elle Cata, who looks and poses like Classical Rennaissance sculpture.
Trust Women and My Body My Decision reference my activism for reproductive freedom
by re-imagining Michelangelo's David statue as a woman taking down the patriarchy.
And, during these difficult Covid times,
I'll be paying forward 50% of the profits from any of my sales of paintings, giclees and books into the struggling art community.
Originally aired August 13, 2020
For Episode 20, I brought you back to the studio to show you a special Venus painting which I worked on during lockdown…featuring a special model who looks like and poses like Classic Greek Sculpture…Elle Cata!
I also talk about my inspirations for parts of this special painting, including the Venus DeMilo, statue from antiquity, attributed to Alexandros of Antioch, John Singer Sargent, William Merritt Chase and Contemporary figurative realists Jamie Coreth and Terry Strickland. Check out Terry Strickland's Patreon page…amazing artist and inspiring instructor for sure!
And, during these difficult Covid times,
I'll be paying forward 50% of the profits from any of my sales of paintings, giclees and books into the struggling art community.
Originally aired August 6, 2020
For Episode 19, I took you ON LOCATION for a surprise visit to the home of a retired celebrity couple.
I give them some decorating tips and show them how they can bring figurative art into their lives…
I show them "What Judy Would Do?"
And, during these difficult Covid times,
I'll be paying forward 50% of the profits from any of my sales of paintings,
giclees and books into the struggling art community.
Originally aired July 30, 2020
For Episode 18, I took you ON LOCATION to the Group Ten Gallery in Kent to the Seventh Annual Regional Juried Show ,
which I juried with Jennifer Omaitz. I talk about some of the figurative works in the show and tell you what struck me about them.
I also talk about the jurying process we went through for this competitive show. I focused on figurative works and prize winners by Kimberly Chapman, Joe Stavec, Tom Jackson, Jeanette Holko, Jim Smolko and Gwen Waight.
Many of the works from this show are available for sale.
Originally aired July 23, 2020
For Episode 17, I took you to a special corner of my home which I've used to honor family members,
with my mom's writing desk as the centerpiece.
I talk about my paintings, Cancer Honeymoon and Guardian Angel of the Good Death, which is available through 33 Contemporary on artsy.net.
And, during these difficult Covid times,
I'll be paying forward 50% of the profits from any sales of paintings, giclees and books into the struggling art community.
Originally aired: July 16, 2020
For Episode 16, I introduced you to the work of one of my art heroes, Max Ginsburg. Showing you Max's pieces from my collection, as well as work inspired by him.
And, during these difficult Covid times,
I'll be paying forward 50% of the profits from any sales of my work into the struggling art community.
Originally aired: July 9, 2020
For Episode 15, I showed you another way to bring figurative art into your life…via art PRINTS!
I showed you hand-pulled prints by Liz Maugans and Marv Smith, my own custom giclees from the Cleveland Hopkins Airport Art of Realism Exhibit, my collection of tiny artist giclees and a special award winner by Natalia Fabia.
And, during these difficult Covid times,
I'll be paying forward 50% of the profits from any sales into the struggling art community.
Originally aired: July 2, 2020
For this decidedly PG Episode, I showed you how you can fill your home with family friendly figurative art…nudes, that show no nipples or breasts…beautiful paintings of the back.
Never mind the wifi glitch around 6:30…I'll tell you the art concept I was pontificating about in future episodes of
Living Figuratively!
And, during these difficult Covid times,
I'll be paying forward 50% of the profits from any sales into the struggling art community.
Originally aired: June 25, 2020
I brought you to my husband's home office to show you some of the art I have gifted him over the years.
Because this was the “Lucky Thirteenth” Episode, there was a bit of a snafu in the live broadcast of this show.
When I was talking about Rose Frantzen's amazing painting…a nude of a lovely young girl that hangs over my husband's desk…the facebook censor-bots stopped my show and told me I was in violation of Facebook Community Standards.
I am contesting this "violation," but had to stop the show.
I did, however, salvage what I could and put together this uncensored version, available on YouTube only.
Watch to see what all the fuss is about.
Featuring the work of Rose Frantzen, Arabella Proffer, Mitzura Salgian, Judith Brandon and Kimberly Beck!
Originally aired: June 18th, 2020
For the HOW Episode, I showed you the nuts and bolts of how I set up the posing sessions and handled the the props and created the painting details that went into the creation of Love, Athena.
I also I showed you how I was inspired by masterworks by
Karen Offutt, Sadie Valeri, Lea Colie Wight, Will St. John, Rembrandt…and more…to create various parts of this epic triptych.
Originally aired: June 11th, 2020
I welcomed my epic triptych, Love, Athena, home from her
extended COVID 2020 lockdown at the Zanesville Museum of Art.
This gigantic, three part multi-figure portrait bridges the gap between my Chicks with Balls and The Goddess Project.
It was unveiled for its first worldwide viewing.
Part 1: WHO, WHAT, and WHY
I talk about the women who posed and why I chose them,
show you details, symbolism and how this triptych ties into themes and concepts from The Goddess Project.
Originally aired: June 4th, 2020
For Episode 10, I showed you a very special corner of my house where figurative art rules…
a couple of my own and a glorious piece, Phoenix, by Jaymi Zents!
My own works from this episode are available as originals and as giclees, and during these Corona Times, I will be paying 50% of my art sales profits forward into the struggling art community, check out my online shop.
Originally aired: May 28th, 2020
For this installment of LIVING FIGURATIVELY, I invited you into my studio and introduced you to some of my
favorite figurative art books that have inspired me for decades along with some recent discoveries.
Spoiler alert: They're all terrific coffee table books too!
Featured books are from artists Rose Frantzen, Burton Silverman, Susan Lyon, David Kassan, Nicholas Uribé, Terry Strickland, Carly Strickland, Artemesia, Poets/Artists Publications…and more!
BONUS: I kicked off the episode with a first look at my most recent art acquisition, a beautiful drawing by Teresa Oaxaca!
which I'll be framing with Susan Porges, The Art Studio!
Look close, I am also wearing leggings from the House of Oaxaca too!
Originally aired: Thursday May 21st, 2020
I took you on a 360° tour of the BEYOND…The Laundry Room, where I have more figurative art than I could even talk about…housewife relics from the ages are part of my ironic curated clutter too!
I opened with a lightning round of 1960s TV Trivia and placed some TV show references here and there as well…see if you can guess some!
During these Corona Times, I will be paying 50% of my art sales profits forward into the struggling art community, check out my online shop.
Originally aired: Thursday May 14th, 2020
I took you on a 360° tour of my master bathroom , which…Surprise Surprise… is also chock full of figurative art!
I kicked it off with a Trivia Question about a popular TV Show…watch it and see if you can figure out the answer! And, I finished up with a major TV Trivia clue as to where I'll be taking you for Part 3…The Beyond!
During these Corona Times, I will be paying 50% of my art sales profits forward into the struggling art community.
The works I feature on LIVING FIGURATIVELY, are available through my online shop.
Originally aired: Thursday May 7th, 2020
I took you on a 360° tour of my master bedroom , which is chock full of figurative art. Lots of my own and also work by JenMarie Zeleznak, April Felipé, Annie Peters and Daniel Sprick.
I also sprinkled in some reference to my favorite 1960s TV shows…maybe you caught some?
During these Corona Times, I will be paying 50% of my art sales profits forward into the struggling art community.
The works I feature on LIVING FIGURATIVELY, including these four Chicks paintings, as originals and gicleés, are available through my online shop.
Originally Aired: Thursday, April 30, 2020
I spoke about my long-term painting series,
Chicks with Balls: Judy Takács paints unsung female heroes. I focused on four special paintings from my Chicks with Balls project, and the highly unusual posing session that was necessary to create them.
The three women who were part of this effort are portrait artists themselves, Pamela Mack, Martha Osborne and Carol Berning, and their paintings appear in the SECOND Chicks with Balls book which was released February 13th at the Zanesville Museum of Art. You can buy it here.
I also revealed the mystery about the frying pan from Episode 4…watch Episode 4…and then find out which 1960s TV Show was referenced!
During these Corona Times, I will be paying 50% of my art sales profits forward into the struggling art community.
The works I feature on LIVING FIGURATIVELY, including these four Chicks paintings, as originals and gicleés, are available through my online shop.
Originally Aired: Thursday, April 23, 2020
I spoke a perennial favorite painting of mine, Highland Matriarch. My fabulous and indulgent model for this painting is Jewelry Artist, Kim Mettee.
For Episode 4, I also talk about paintings from my collection by Restrooms of Cleveland author, Arabella Proffer.
Buy her books here or here and check out her paintings and her blog at arabellaproffer.com
During these Corona Times, I will be paying 50% of my art sales profits forward into the struggling art community.
Many of my works which I feature on LIVING FIGURATIVELY, including Highland Matriarch, are available through my online shop. The ones from my collection are not for sale, but you can visit the websites of the artists I feature to find out about acquiring their work or publications.
Originally Aired: Thursday, April 16, 2020
I told you about how you can use affordable small and medium figurative works to decorate your house with a “Wall Full of Small.”
I highlighted my own works and those from my collection by Sadie Valeri, Karen Offutt, Carol Arnold and Steven Assael.
Custom double-sided framing of my Steven Assael drawing by Susan Porges Fine Art.
During these Corona Times, I will be paying 50% of my art sales profits forward into the struggling art community.
Many of my works which I feature on LIVING FIGURATIVELY are available through my online shop…the ones from my collection are not for sale, but you can visit the websites of the artists I feature to find out about acquiring their work or signing up for instruction.
Originally Aired: Thursday, April 9, 2020
I spoke about my Ephemera Series, where I collaged bits of my parents handwriting and legacy into my paintings.
My Ephemera works are available as original oil paintings or as half-size giclees (high quality prints on archival paper) through my online shop.
Ephemera Collector, the center painting in the triptych, is available through 33 Contemporary on artsy.net.
During these Corona Times, I will be paying 50% of my art sales profits forward into the struggling art community.
Read my blog about Ephemera.
Originally Aired: Thursday, April 2, 2020
For the premier episode of LIVING FIGURATIVELY, I spoke about Serenity Prayer, a painting that was specific to my personal troubles when I painted it, but also speaks to the troubles of our current times.
My Serenity Prayer painting is available as an original oil painting or as a half-size giclee (high quality prints on archival paper) through my online shop.
During these Corona Times, I will be paying 50% of my art sales profits forward into the struggling art community.
In conjunction with the Zanesville Museum of Art, where my first solo museum show, Chicks with Balls: Judy Takács paints unsung female heroes, opened in February,
I gave a FACEBOOK LIVE Artist talk.
It's a virtual docent tour of my home and studio, focusing on the paintings and concepts of my current series,
The Goddess Project, where I re-imagine characters from the mythology of all religions
through a contemporary feminist lens.