KENOSEE LAKE - Judy Finseth is a big fan of sketching and painting. It shows in her artwork, which was displayed at the Artist Colony of Moose Mountain Provincial Park.
Finseth was born and raised in Saskatoon. When she was young, she always had a creative touch. It would not be long until she realized she had a knack to paint and draw. Her skills would truly blossom as she grew older.
For the past 20 years, Finseth has created beautiful oil paintings of animals, landscapes and has been inspired by such places as Writing on Stone Provincial Park near Lethbridge, Alta.
All it takes is a photograph for Finseth to see her next project. With blending of colours on her canvas, her piece will slowing materialize into a work of art. Finseth paints whatever inspires her at the time.
Oil painting takes time, as the colours need to be a pleasing composition. Paintings can take as along as six months to dry, especially the white or when a piece needs to be built up. It is all in the blending of the colours to make it work.
Finseth has attended the Alberta College of Art and Design.
“I’ve always been fortunate to live near a major city to display my art,” she said.
She now resides near Tofield, Alta., where she works as an editor for the Canadian Hereford Magazine. This job keeps her quite busy, but she always finds time to pick up her paint brush.
Finseth lives with her husband on the family homestead, where they have Hereford cattle. The homestead has been in the family since 1896. Their horses are used for ranch work and her border collies for herding. At one time her dogs were shown, but now work on the ranch only.
This was Finseth’s first time at the colony. Finseth said, “The cabins are in great shape, as they have been restored. It is such a beautiful historic site.”
Finseth is the sister of Ken Frederickson, who is a permanent resident at the colony. The talent must run in the family.
Although Finseth was only at the colony until July 4, she will be back to Saskatchewan later this month, but in Assiniboia.
The Shuniak Art Gallery in Assiniboia is holding a retreat for artists from July 18-22. This art gallery was established in 2005 and founded by Bill Shuniak. It displays his private collection and was funded by Shuniak.
Finseth is one of many artists that will attend this event, which will be held at the curling rink in Assiniboia.
If you did not get a chance to visit Finseth at the Artist Colony, you can visit her at the retreat.
