Express Yourself – The Creative World of Judy Brocas
Kia ora, I’m Judy (Jude) Brocas. Among the many caps I wear, I’m an artist, an introverted/shy kind of person, who is not the best at ‘putting myself out there’, so this is a difficult write. I mainly work with plants these days, creating swathes of seasonal colour that not only feed the pollinators in our garden but my inspiration. Both my grandmothers dabbled with paint, their palettes and brushes have pride of place in my studio; perhaps that is where my artistic nature roots lie.
I briefly studied Computer Graphics and Design. Deciding it wasn’t my calling, I followed my passion and changed direction to study Fine Arts, majoring in paint and clay – painting under Kura Te Waru Rewiri in the late 80s. Her lessons in politics and art inspire me more today as I mature.
Although I still paint views from my ever-changing garden, more recently my work depicts messages important to me, more than often hidden – unknown to the viewer, but they are an expression of thoughts and feelings of the natural environment we live in and my connection with the whenua (land) and wai (water).
My style is a little erratic, as I jump from one thing to another, from one medium to the next. I was recently visited by some youthhood friends who commented on the progression in my work from all those years ago, when I drew comics at school and did free portraiture in the mall and graphic signage for pocket money. So I guess it just keeps cycling and developing the older you get, some bit of you held in a created form.
My garden is like an ever-changing canvas which keeps me on my toes with no chance of boredom. I find a camera is the best tool these days for capturing the continuous change and growth of the bloom that opens only for a day, saving painting time for something more expressive of thoughts and feelings. But I will always have a canvas with some botanical vista on the go.
I also sculpt with wood and stone, using driftwood finds from my decompression (grounding) walks along the beach. Kauri is a favourite. I love the smell of it as it is worked. I like to let the wood lead me in its design, always leaving a raw side to showcase its natural beauty. I also love working with copper and usually mix up the mediums a bit, creating indoor and outdoor sculptures. My extremely talented husband Craig is also a ‘creative’, of fine metal and wood objects, from steel fabrication and design to motorbikes and multimedia sculptures.
There are so many ways in which you can ‘express yourself‘, whether it’s through paint, pen, pencil or sculpturally, musically through dance/song/instrumentally. Whether it is words written, or doodling on a napkin, or a rap escaping lips, the arts often form a gift; you just need to invest your time to reap the rewards of self-expression. For many, it’s a form of relaxation, whether for private satisfaction or for sharing your thoughts and feelings with others – a release to manifest into reality. ‘In’ to ‘out’ … like breathing fresh air. Give it a go, you might enjoy it. You don’t need to be a famous artist to have fun and express yourself.
Garden open by appointment
Enquiries
Mahitoigardenstudio@gmail.com or 021 1882249.
Words and Artwork by Judy Brocas
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