Judith Kruger is an American visual artist whose internationally acclaimed multidisciplinary work focuses on the subtle relationships between humans and nature. But it’s much more than just an idea; it’s the work of an alchemist that takes her into the mysteries of matter.
I invite you to visit her website:
https://www.judithkruger.com/
This connectivity with the environment fits in perfectly with my personal approach.
But it’s not the earth that attracts me, it’s rather the sky. As I become one with the canvas, I become movement. Air and fire allow inanimate matter to vibrate. With each flight, I imprint my emotions and feelings in an aesthetic relationship of lines and colours, which connects me directly to universal energy, in short, to beauty…
In this workshop, which is very popular with visual artists of all cultures and nationalities, you let go, you lay yourself bare, you explain to the group the why, what and how of your artistic project. At that point, it’s still just a modest seed ready to germinate and produce what’s buried in the unconscious. The catalyst is the stimulating presence of Judith Kruger, and just as much the communion with the group.
Then we’ll throw ourselves into it, body and soul, from morning till night, and even part of the night, before catching our breath. In the morning, we go back to work, punctuated by visits to the museum and training activities, seven days well counted, during which I surpassed myself.
I was electrified by the unique current of energy animating these places inhabited by great art. And I’m not even talking about our communal meals, the wonderful collective encounters, and let’s not forget all those moments of intimacy and exchange with the other artists.
It’s magical, very powerful, I tell you. We often laugh, sometimes we cry…
It’s hardly surprising that connections are made, friendships are formed, and during the high points – the last visit and the group critique – we become one. Let’s talk about this spiritual and fraternal egregore, which picks you up and lifts you up in a free surge of the heart.
One man, me, and eleven women, all extraordinary. Judith Kruger, Kim Bursic, Barbara Dibeler, Katherine Dufault, Shelby Johnstone, Robin McCondichie, Mellissa Morris, Toya Northington, Ruth Shapiro, Janet Slom and Valerie Zeman. Twelve is no mean feat; it’s a sublime, perfect, complete number.
Thank you all for including me in this beautiful complicity.
©Luc Martineau 2023
