BETHEL — The artwork of Woodstock resident Judy Huber was displayed at Artistic Endeavors Frame Shop and Gallery on Friday evening as part of the gallery’s monthly open house showcases.

Huber, who said she has been painting as long as she can remember, explained that the idea for her to participate in an open house was born out of a suggestion by a woman in a class she took at Western Mountains Senior College.

“I wanted to get myself back into it,” Huber said. “I needed to loosen up a bit, and a woman named Susan Taylor suggested that I do an open house.”

Many of Huber’s watercolor paintings involve scenes of nature, which she said feels relaxing to her.

“Nature is who I am,” Huber said. “I’ve always been interested in the outdoors and hiking, so it just makes sense to me.”

Huber said watercolor has always been her primary medium of painting, although she has practiced with other types of drawing.

“I’ve dabbled in pen and ink and other kinds, but over the years I started with watercolor,” Huber said. “I haven’t stopped since.”

Although she has spent most of her life painting, Huber said she’s also illustrated books and cartoons for people, citing Paula Underwood’s book “The Great Hoop of Life” as an example.

According to her website, Huber began drawing and painting at a young age, taking classes in school in addition to private lessons. She attended the Butera School of Art in Boston, and upon graduating, worked as a fashion illustrator at Sage Allen Department Store in Hartford, Conn.

“I had to get out of the advertising world,” Huber said. “It was just too fast-paced for me.”

Over time, Huber made her way to Kingston, N.H., where she worked out of her home studio for 28 years doing painting, illustrating, freelance design and teaching drawing to adults and children. She also became trained in the art of Reiki, a Japanese technique that promotes healing through stress reduction and relaxation.

“It’s a hands-on healing technique,” Huber said. “In order to become a Reiki master, you need to pass three levels of training by another Reiki master.”

Upon becoming a Reiki master, Huber created a program called “Reikids,” which taught children to practice Reiki through art.

“I could see a need for the children in the area to relax and calm down,” Huber said. “Reiki has a calming effect and helps heal ailments that one may have.”

Huber lives with her husband, Dennis, and continues to draw inspiration for art by walking in the woods behind her home and taking annual trips to Mohegan Island and Ocean Park, ME.

Huber’s art will remain on display until Jan. 26.

mdaigle@sunjournal.com

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