Judy Schrader - Biography

I live with my husband Terry in the heart of the Allegheny National Forest in rural Pennsylvania. We have two grown children, Terry Jr. and Kristi Dawn, and a grandson, Hunter Matthew Loomis of whom we are very proud.

I have always loved to draw and credit my artistic gift from my Grandfather, Ernest Albaugh. An artist most of his life, he was self-taught and enjoyed giving paintings to his family and friends. As a child, I would take my drawings to my grandfather so he could help me with my work. He would guide me with doing shadows as I had them going every which way on my drawings. He also helped me with perspective and putting my drawings together correctly. I began painting in 1978. Oil is my favorite media although I work with acrylic, colored pencil and mixed media. I have never had formal art classes, however, I took lessons from my friend Shirley Smith for about a year. When I would finish a painting with Shirley, I always made sure my Grandfather gave his stamp of approval.

My favorite subjects to paint are animals; I love bringing my canvas to life through their eyes and personality. I enjoy painting pet portraits, wildlife, horses, dogs, cats, farm animals, country, and barn scenes.

Living in the country, I have access to beautiful scenery and animals. The streams, trees, meadows, domestic and wild animals are such an inspiration for painting. I take my camera when I go for hikes in the woods, you never know what kind of animals you will see. Unfortunately, most move too fast for me to get photos of... but I keep trying!

I have donated works of art for charity, have had many paintings accepted to the Harness Tracks of America National Art show and have received 2 special excellence awards from them. I have shown in local and regional shows and won many awards and several Best of Shows. I have been invited to display and sell paintings at the prestigious National Nature Art Festival in Jamestown, NY. I have sold many paintings and prints nationally and have started to sell internationally over the past several years. In 2005 I won the PA Game Commission's Working Together For Wildlife Art Contest.