The Artist:
Judy Thompson is an artist of the plains and has called rural NW Iowa her home for over 35 years. This area, known as Siouxland, is home to vast fields, big skies and lush prairies. It is where three states (Iowa, Nebraska and South Dakota) meet at the confluence of the Big Sioux and Missouri Rivers, and lies right on the edge of the Western Frontier. These Great Plains are full of history, diverse landscapes and natural beauty, providing the perfect inspiration for Judy's watercolor paintings.
I create contemporary watercolors which engage and connect the viewer to the beautiful, yet complex landscapes of the Great Plains.
Artist CV
About Me:
I've always been curious about the world around me. Growing up near Chicago, I spent countless hours drawing and creating, while summers exploring my family's wooded property in Wisconsin nurtured a lifelong love of nature and a sense of adventure. Those early experiences taught me to slow down, observe, and appreciate the quiet beauty often found in ordinary places.
During college, field studies in the Black Hills and Badlands introduced me to the wide-open landscapes of the Great Plains. Their expansive skies, rugged beauty, and rich history left a lasting impression and continue to inspire my work today.
After raising a family and pursuing other paths, I eventually found my way back to art. Living in rural northwest Iowa allowed me to reconnect with the prairie landscape, and painting became a way to explore the places, stories, and people that define the Midwest. My work has grown into an ongoing celebration of this remarkable region and the resilience, history, and sense of place that make it unique.
Along the way, I've been fortunate to serve as an artist-in-residence at Badlands National Park, Custer State Park, and Homestead National Historical Park, create the Homestead Series commemorating the 150th anniversary of the Homestead Act, and provide the cover artwork for the Pioneer Girl book series. Most recently, I collaborated with my daughter, poet Kristin Gifford, on Becoming Midwest: Life Between, a major exhibition at the Washington Pavilion Visual Arts Center that paired watercolor and poetry to explore the landscapes and heritage of the Midwest.
When I'm not in the studio, you'll usually find me hiking or biking with my husband, Dale, exploring the prairies, back roads, and public lands that continue to inspire my paintings. Every journey offers another opportunity to discover the quiet beauty of the Great Plains.
Twilight View. ©Judy Thompson
The object of painting is not to reflect the visible but to make visible.
Paul Klee
Artist Statement:
I create vibrant, textured watercolor paintings that reflect the evolving story of the Midwest’s landscape—both past and present. Through my work, I explore the intricate relationships that shape our prairie ecosystems and the ways in which human activity continues to influence them.
Transparent watercolor is my medium of choice for its expressive range and adaptability. It can be bold and spontaneous or carefully controlled, shifting from serene to energetic—even chaotic. This versatility allows me to push the boundaries of the medium, experimenting with surface treatments and mixed media to develop unique textures and visual depth.
One technique I especially enjoy involves using charcoal, ink, or wax crayon to outline and connect shapes and colors, weaving together elements of each piece. The result is a layered tapestry that mirrors the complexity of the natural world and serves as a visual metaphor for the interconnectedness of life on the plains.
Field Days. ©Judy Thompson
...her work is important as a mid-western artist.. Through her research, she has developed an interest in both the history and landscape of the Midwest, and has made an important contribution towards an aesthetic appreciation of both.
Joanne Alberda, Associated Art Professor, Retired. Dordt University
Artwork Presentation:
In my artistic practice, I usually choose to mount my watercolor paintings on board without the traditional use of mats and glass. This method offers several advantages:
- Enhanced Visual Impact: By eliminating the reflective barrier of glass, viewers can experience the true vibrancy and texture of the watercolor medium without interference.
- Modern Aesthetic: Mounting on board provides a contemporary, streamlined presentation that aligns with my artistic vision.
- Durability and Protection: To safeguard the artwork, I apply a protective varnish over the mounted painting. This not only preserves the piece but also allows it to be displayed without the need for glass.
By adopting this presentation style, I aim to offer a fresh perspective on watercolor art, allowing its inherent qualities to shine through while ensuring longevity and resilience.
The Process:
Accomplishments:
Judy’s artwork has received national and regional awards, including Best of Show in the Iowa Watercolor Society Annual Juried Exhibition. Her work is informed by her experiences as an artist-in-residence at the Homestead National Historical Park, NE (formerly the Homestead National Monument); Badlands National Park, SD and Custer State Park, SD. She is also a grant recipient of the Iowa Arts Council through the National Endowment for the Arts.
Corporate and public collections of Judy's paintings include: the State of South Dakota, the Center for Western Studies, Sioux Falls, Northwestern College, IA, the National Park Service, the South Dakota Historical Society Press, Sanford Health, Sioux Falls, and Avera Health.
Judy is a signature member of the Iowa Watercolor Society, an associate member of WAOW (Women Artists of the West) and a member of the Great Plains Watercolor Society. Her recent exhibitions and shows include the Center for Western Studies, SD; Coors Western Art Show and Sale, Denver, CO; the Museum of Agrarian Art, David City, NE; and WAOW National Exhibition, Clarksville, TN.
Gallery Representation:
Rehfelds Modern, Sioux Falls, SD
Prairie Edge, Rapid City, SD
Lanesboro Arts, Lanesboro, MN
See Purchase Information for details.
Publications and Special Projects:
Read all about me: NWest Iowa Review, March 8, 2025
The Homestead Series, inspired by an artist residency at the Homestead National Historic Park, has toured extensively throughout the Midwest to celebrate the signing of the Homestead Act. The series is now in the permanent collection of the National Park Service. at the Homestead National Historical Park, Beatrice, NE. View the Homestead Series HERE.
Homestead Series: Deep & Wide on the cover of Nebraska Life Magazine, March/April, 2012
©Judy Thompson
Judy is the artist who created the covers for the Pioneer Girl series published by the South Dakota Historical Society Press. These four volumes celebrate the life and work of Laura Ingalls Wilder. The first book, Pioneer Girl: The Autobiography of Laura Ingalls Wilder, was a best seller on the New York Times Best Seller List which features the painting, Silver Lake Reflections..
Silver Lake Reflections. ©South Dakota Historical Society Press
Summer Fields. ©South Dakota Historical Society Press
Dakota Twilight. ©South Dakota Historical Society Press
*Association of University Presses Scholarly Typographic Award
Sugaring in the Big Woods. ©South Dakota Historical Society Press
Learn how Judy was chosen as the Pioneer Girl Series artist by the editor of the South Dakota Historical Society Press and the stories behind the art HERE at the Pioneer Girl Project website.