Judy Michael: She's Been Framed

A local favorite is displaying her artwork at the Wheatgrass Arts & Gallery for the month of October. It's Judy Michael, who is known for giving her art a 3D effect by painting on a plate of glass that overlays her painting.

Michael is into acrylics, but has dabbled in watercolors and oils. She welcomed several fans, and others just checking out the local talent on Friday, Oct. 3, during a reception to honor the artist of the month. She explained to the crowd that she's always painted.

She grew up in Wilmington, Delaware, an artsy community that helped her to work in creativity. She said that after she married the couple wanted to move out West. They found themselves in the Missoula area for around a decade, then moved to Saco where they resided another decade, now they've settled in Malta and they've been part of that community for a while.

"I like to paint old things," she told the crowd Friday night.

She has several painted leaves displayed. Something she said she picked up when she saw another artist doing the same work. That work started just last winter and she paints birds, animals and other things she might see in the leaves.

When asked about her technique to paint on glass to give the painting a unique look, she said it was an extension from doing framing and collages. Michael frames all of her work, and she explained that she thought the pieces of glass really set her artwork apart.

"It gives it dimension," Michael said.

Her work has been shown in several different places around the state, including Great Falls, Havre, Billings, Williston and more. She's won some awards, but was rather modest in announcing the awards she's won and their title. She said she took home awards in Harlem, Miles City and in Cody, Wyoming at the Arts Center. She's also part of the Montana Watercolor Society.

Another guest artist will be displayed at the museum for a short time. Stop in at the art gallery located on 531 2nd Ave. S. in Glasgow. Marcia McEachron had a reception on Monday, Oct. 6, and displayed her sculptures and watercolors. She's a long-time artist who is doing her teaching residency at Irle School. She created the metal Scottie dog in front of the high school and the metal arch leading to the Irle Elementary School playground.