Judith Schuppien grew up on the coast of Maine, way Downeast. Family members were fishermen and blueberry farmers, and Judith's early connection to the sea and the land is evident in her art. She loves being outdoors, whether hiking, paddling, gardening or painting, and keeps an eye and heart open for fantastic light or an amazing pattern of shapes and shadows. But her art, at its core, is about loving a place. Favorite painting destinations include the working harbors of Stonington, South Bristol and Round Pond, as well as a variety of coastal jewels in the Damariscotta area, where she paints with a plein air group in summer. Judith left home at 18 for the University of Chicago and a degree in Fine Arts. For almost 15 more years, she lived in Chicago, painting only sporadically -- until she was able to return to Maine -- and has been painting ever since. She is a "Maine Artist" for sure! She has won numerous awards, including "Best in Show" prizes at the Harlow Gallery in Hallowell, Maine Open Juried Art Show in Waterville, and the Cape Elizabeth art show. Continued art studies include classes at Round Top and the Harlow Gallery, as well as summer workshops in coastal Maine, with such teachers as Ted Julian Arnold, Albert Handell, Tom Higgins, Sally Loughridge, Colin Page and John Whalley. Judith paints primarily in oil, but also enjoys using pastels and ink. Her work may be seen at several galleries in Maine, and is included in many collections in the United States and Europe.