Growing up as a young girl in Western Australia, Jude Taylor saw only the beauty of the wildflowers among the harsh bush lands.
She says her passion for art has always been derived from the unique look and style of wildflowers.
“My first painting was a simple bottlebrush in a vase, with strong black and white patterns,” said Jude.
Drawing inspiration from artists such as Margaret Preston, a strong modernist artist, Jude was able to start working on her art again after her four children started school.
During this time, Jude explains that her ‘naïve’ artwork often reflected her life.
“A lot of my early works are looking through a window, because I had four children and I was in the home a lot, but you could see the beauty of what was around you. So, a lot of my early works are of my four children and of the valley, pictures of them (children) on the boats and swings.”
For Jude, wild flowers represent femininity, because they “persist, flourish and sustain in an environment that appears too harsh for survival”.
As such she admires strong women such as Judith Wright and Germaine Greer and believes that women must cherish all the roles they play throughout life. Jude proudly states that raising her family has been her life’s greatest achievement.
In 1990, Jude showcased her first exhibition at the Gomboc Gallery and Sculpture Park in Middle Swan.
It was soon followed by solo exhibition in 1996 at Sydney’s Holdsworth Gallery and Charles Hewitt Gallery. Using linocuts Jude was able to depict the extreme conditions of the Western Australian wilderness, drawing focus on its hard edges against the harsh light.
Growing confident in her artistic talent and passion for the wildflowers, Jude wanted to explore the softer side of nature.
Jude still worked with linocuts, but instead of printing on paper, she decided to use canvas and painted her artwork in oils.
In 2008 she held an exhibition called Abundance aiming to capture the essence of these wildflowers.
"Each one had their own secret for life within it, ready to burst out and give it its all," she says.
Jude had gathered a great many patterns from her artwork displayed in Abundance and realised that she could venture into screen-printing and textiles.
She was overwhelmed with the advice she received from family and friends of what she should do with her patterns.
“It was quite challenging to hold it in and go at my pace.”
Jude went on a journey to Bali because she knew they would have artisans in situ to produce the quality of work she required on fabrics.
A self-confessed introvert, Jude initially found herself outside her comfort zone during these solo trips. However, her artwork was now turning into a going business concern and exciting times were ahead.
Indonesia introduced Jude to a whole new range of fabrics that she could work with. Complementing her patterns of delicate flowers, Jude found herself falling in love with sensual local fabrics such as silks.
Recently, Jude has been working with Australian fabric experts Sparkk Designs and is thrilled to announce that her new range is sleek and stylish.
“The professional back-up of Sparkk’s experience makes me confident that orders of any size can be filled to the complete satisfaction of my customers.”
Jude’s patterns of wildflowers can be found on cushions, wallpapers, clothing and handbags, just to name a few.
They are digitally printed on fabrics such as Belgian linen, English cottons and silks.
In 2012, Jude was commissioned to refurbish the office of the Premier and cabinet in the historic Hale School building in Perth, a prestigious project for the local designer to tackle.
"The colour palette for these prints is more muted, but still emulates the feel of the Australian wilderness," she says of her choices for the redesign.
Jude’s greatest challenge during this renovation was the constant travel to and from Indonesia - and the difference in light.
“You are working in an Indonesian factory and there is very little electricity and you’re looking at a colour, but when you bring it back to Australia, in an office in Perth underneath florescent light, it wasn’t the same and there was very little room
for error,” said Jude.
The café is Jude’s old house, which has been renovated with the help of her children. Few meters away from the café is Jude’s studio, where she holds workshops.
When Jude isn’t busy hosting workshops, she likes to take time away by the beach. Her favourite pastime is snorkeling or being able to sit still and observe the environment around her.
"I haven't planned for any exhibitions in the near future," she says, "but I'd gladly accept another challenge like the refurbishment of the Premier's Office." PL
Jude’s artwork, fabric, home décor and clothing can be found at Taylors Café in Middle Swan. Visit judetaylor.com for more information.
