EPISODE 27: Judith Milner is a portrait and figurative painter living in Auckland NZ.After studying law, psychology and art history at the University of Auckland, Judith worked as a commercial lawyer for 13 years before re-connecting with her love of painting while taking a break to focus on caring for her two young children. Judith has always been drawn to the quiet contemplation of portraiture: the opportunity to read a face, to reflect on the sitter’s interior and, through the process of painting, to try to capture something of their essential character, something more than a superficial likeness. She seeks to combine a naturalistic, descriptive approach with a more painterly and expressive style.Judith's  figurative paintings are inspired by nostalgia for old, informal photographs, far removed from today’s highly doctored digital images that are immediately and continually available. Judith tells a fascinating story of her creative journey and shares insights into the ways she explores stories of the past, relationships, personalities, connections, equality and inclusion through her beautiful paintings.Website  https://judithmilner.com/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/judithmilnerart Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/judithmilnerart About your host:Mandy Jakich is the Founder and CEO of Creative Matters, an award winning business providing creative, educational opportunities to enrich the lives of our children, educators, artists and community. https://www.creativematters.co.nz/She is a practising artist www.amandajakich.co.nz and a teacher, with more than 30 years in various capacities at primary and intermediate schools across Auckland NZ.She worked for 4 years as an art educator at the Auckland Art Gallery - New Zealand's largest and finest gallery - designing and delivering visual arts programmes to primary, secondary and special needs children, as well as Professional Development courses for teachers.​Mandy founded Creative Matters in response to an increasing need and demand for creative visual arts opportunities for children - both in and out of school - with a genuine belief in the value of a rich creative process and developing creative experiences and connections through art.Six years on, Creative Matters has blossomed into a well known company with a team of 15 passionate art educators and administrators.  Creative Matters  facilitate Professional Development visual arts courses for primary teachers: https://www.creativematters.co.nz/professional-developmentVisual art creative workshops and experiences for children:https://www.creativematters.co.nz/for-childrenPublic art projects and creative opportunities  in the communityhttps://www.creativematters.co.nz/for-communitiesNgā mihi, thanks for listening!See the artist's work on our blog https://www.creativematters.co.nz/blog You can follow us for updates on https://www.instagram.com/creativematterspodcast/ Please rate and review our show to help others find us https://podcasts.apple.com/nz/podcast/creative-matters/id1561034043