For decades, Judy Barks-Westrich has taught — and created — in many artistic mediums

Cape Girardeau artist Judy Barks-Westrich is a believer of the saying, "All young children are artists until they grow up."

Barks-Westrich uses a palette knife to create a floral painting.Laura Simon

Barks-Westrich, owner and operator of The Artist Studio on Main Street, taught art to students from first through 12th grade for 39 years in Sikeston, Missouri, and Cape Girardeau, and she's no stranger to the doubtful artist.

"My thinking has always been all people can create," she said. "People always come in and say, 'I can't do that. I can't draw a straight line.' 'I can't draw a straight line' is the iconic statement that all people say. Well, I don't think you need to draw a straight line; there's rulers for that."

And her focus has never been so much in the way of drawing, anyway.

"Teaching somebody to draw has never been my intent. I always want to teach people to paint; that's where the happy medium is," Barks-Westrich said.

Judy Barks-Westrich, artist and owner of The Artist Studio, poses inside her downtown Cape Girardeau studio Wednesday.Laura Simon

With painting comes imagination, she said, and the ability to be more free in the creative process.

"Through the creative process, it's amazing how [adult students] can become creative and then at the same time, as they learn about a medium and as they paint, they understand the process of creating a painting and what's involved; they become better consumers of art," she said.

Barks-Westrich decided to open the studio in 2005 to develop a space where she could create, display her work and conduct workshops to teach others how to paint.

The studio contains Barks-Westrich's original works, mostly consisting of acrylic and latex paints on canvases. She also does off-the-loom weaving, textile piecework and papermaking but mainly focuses on painting.

In all aspects of her work, though, texture is key.

"I'm all about texture, so the more you look, everything is related in a textural sense, whether you can feel it actually or whether you see it in a way. It's kind of like some of the paintings have an artificial, sculptural sense, so to speak, to where you get the illusion of texture in them," she said.

Barks-Westrich uses a palette knife to create a floral painting.Laura Simon

And although business sometimes can be sporadic at the studio, Barks-Westrich said the finished pieces she has on display give her the inspiration to continue creating.

"My artwork motivates me," she said. "I enjoy being in here; I enjoy being surrounded by the work that I have produced, and I get energy from it. And it's like the spirit that's in it almost, if I am down, I guess, or if I feel lack of motivation, it almost lifts me up and keeps me going."

Barks-Westrich said some of her pieces have components of planning, such as planned color schemes or the size of the canvas, but many parts are experimental. Even though she may have a preconception of what she wants a painting or project to look like or feel like, she said her pieces evolve throughout the creative process.

"I find inspiration totally through the creative process, totally. Once I get going, I pull out the paints, and sometimes it's like there's an idea in my head, and then I start to paint, and it's like, 'Whoops! That idea is going in a totally different direction,' so I hang on for the ride," she said.

Judy Barks-Westrich, artist and owner of The Artist Studio, poses inside her downtown Cape Girardeau studio Wednesday.Laura Simon

But Barks-Westrich said even the most seasoned artists can experience momentary artist's block now and again.

Judy Barks-Westrich, artist and owner of The Artist Studio, uses a palette knife to create a floral painting inside her downtown Cape Girardeau studio Wednesday.Laura Simon

"Sometimes when I haven't got to painting for a long time and there's a long pause, and the canvas is bare, I hesitate, and I think, 'Have I lost it? Have I lost that talent? Have I lost that touch?' But then, no, I'll start, and one will work, and I think, 'OK, I still have it,'" she said. "... There's always something about that blank canvas, and then you just start, and then it just flows and you feel good."

To recognize her expansive career in the arts, Barks-Westrich was awarded the Otto F. Dingeldein Award for lifetime achievement in the arts Jan. 8 at the Arts Council of Southeast Missouri's third annual Otto F. Dingeldein Gala.

"That felt unreal," she said with a laugh. "I've gone to those events for years because I've always been involved with the Arts Council and supported them and so forth and always been pleased and supportive of the people that have received it but just didn't imagine that I would receive it. I was nervous that evening, but I was extremely honored."

Above all, Barks-Westrich enjoys having her studio and her own creative space because it gives her a feeling of self-fulfillment.

"I create for me," she said.

Barks-Westrich celebrated the 11th anniversary of her studio in March with a special sculpture workshop. On June 3, featured artist Karen Broemmelsick will be at the studio for the "Pets Night Out"-themed First Friday with the Arts.

Official studio hours are from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, but Barks-Westrich also works in her shop throughout the week and will open then as well. She holds workshops in acrylics, watercolor, papermaking, weaving and printmaking at her art studio upon request and can be contacted through her Facebook page at facebook.com/TheArtistStudio.JudyBarksWestrich or at judy.barkswestrich@facebook.com.

lyoung@semissourian.com

(573) 388-3632

Pertinent address:

38A Main St., Cape Girardeau, Mo.