Judy Dunn

Judy Dunn of Acton, MA is an award winning polymer clay artists whose work has been featured in several national publications, including Bead & Button magazine, Belle Armoire Jewelry, and Somerset Studio. She is known for her vessels shaped like pears and apples and her polymer clay cranes. In addition, she has a distinctive line of jewelry created from polymer clay. People often respond to Dunn's use of color in her work.

Bio:

Art and craft have been a part of my life as long as I can remember. But, I was good at math and science and chose to study chemistry instead of art. After some time in the work world, an MBA followed. But the less time I spent creating, the less joy there was in my life.

After the birth of my daughters my priorities shifted. Success in my life took on a different meaning, and I finally acknowledged I had not been following a path that was true to who I was. I knew I had to do work that was more satisfying to me, and made a shift in priorities. It took nearly a decade of exploration, but eventually I found my form of experession, or it found me. In the spring of 2003 I was asked to help run an informal workshop at church,...specifically to run the polymer clay area. After a deep gulp, I took the challenge, and bought a box of clay, determined to come up with a few projects. I had barely used polymer clay prior to this, but I wanted to support a friend's efforts. By the time my kids came home from school that day I was hooked. I continue to be excited by the possibilities that this media (and silver clay) offers. It is as if I have won the lottery in life. I get to do what I love everyday, and I have a family that supports my pursuit of my dreams. What more could I ask for?

Artist Statement:

Each time I sit down with a plain white vessel I have formed, or an element to piece of jewelry in it's beginning stages, it is a new journey.

My inspirations for a piece may be a pattern or design that sticks in my mind, or something blooming in my garden, or the symbolism of a crane or koi. As the piece unfolds, there is an element of surprise for me, and many choices to make along the way....from pallette, to backing for a piece of jewelry, to what will layer over my drawings. I find that the piece guides me.

Care and attention to each step is important to me, and the outcome of a piece. This extends to the finishing of each piece, and to how the back of a pendant or pin will look. I often will look beyond polymer clay to add details or finishing bits and pieces to an article. Years of exploring many craft media and techniques has given me a wide repetoire of materials and inspiration to draw upon.