Today we’d like to introduce you to Judy Paul.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I moved to Austin in 1984 after earning my degree in Graphic Design from Lamar University in Beaumont, Texas. I was so excited to be here. The rolling hills and the teal-blue water of Barton Springs and Town Lake felt completely different from anything I’d known growing up in Orange, Texas.
I spent a lot of time on the hike-and-bike trails near my home in Bouldin Creek and ran my first Cap 10K that very first year. The next day, I started my first job as an illustrator at a T-shirt shop in Hyde Park.
Over time, I got married and had two children. In 1994, my husband and I started an internet company, which we sold in 2000. After that, I began painting full-time. We lived close to the trail, and I spent countless hours walking, running, and biking around Lady Bird Lake—it has been a constant source of inspiration throughout my life here.
I moved away for nine years and returned to Austin in December 2025. I’m so happy to be back. Now I live just six minutes from the trail and spend much of my time riding my bike along it, finding places to stop and paint—especially along the newer pedestrian bridges on the south shore of Lady Bird Lake.
I absolutely love the trails and try not to drive if I can help it. The people, the energy, and that teal water—it all feels like home.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Running a business while raising two children was always a balancing act. Painting gave me the flexibility to be present for my kids, which I’m incredibly grateful for—but that same flexibility can also be one of the biggest challenges.
As an artist, there’s no built-in structure. I have to create that for myself. I’ve learned that I need to protect my time and help the people around me understand that while my schedule may look flexible, my work requires real focus and uninterrupted stretches to bring ideas to life.
And of course, choosing to make a living as an artist is, in many ways, a leap of faith. I had some early success in my painting career, and now I find myself in a moment that feels a bit like beginning again.
The difference is that I’m returning with experience—and a renewed sense of inspiration. I’ve been filling sketchbooks, and now I’m at that turning point where it’s time to move from inspiration into finished work. I’m beginning a new series inspired by my return home, and that feels both exciting and deeply meaningful.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m a painter, illustrator, and designer, and my work is deeply inspired by Austin—especially the trails, water, and everyday outdoor life around Lady Bird Lake. I create paintings that feel grounded and hopeful, often using animals and symbolic imagery to tell simple, meaningful stories.
I’m known for work that feels approachable and connected to place—something people can live with and feel a part of. Over the years, my work has shown up in galleries, local spaces, and homes across the country, but Austin has always been my creative anchor.
What I’m most proud of is building a long, evolving career while staying true to what inspires me. What sets me apart is the blend of fine art and design—I bring a strong sense of composition and clarity, but the work itself is intuitive and personal.
Right now, I’m especially inspired by being back in Austin, painting from life along the hike-and-bike trail and starting a new series rooted in that experience.
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
Since moving back to Austin, what’s worked best for me is being part of an artist community. I recently moved into a studio at Art Hub ATX in Southeast Austin, and it’s been incredibly energizing. There are so many working artists there who are generous with their time and open to sharing ideas and experiences.
We host open studio events twice a month, and even though I’ve only been there since mid-February, I’ve already connected with other artists, met new collectors, and had meaningful conversations about the work.
For me, networking has been less about formal mentorship and more about showing up, being part of a creative community, and staying open to those connections as they naturally develop.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.JudyPaul.com
- Instagram: @JudyPaulStudios
- Facebook: JudyPaul and JudyPaulArtist
