Judy Thompson is an “artist of the plains”, inspired by the vast fields, skies, and lush textures of the Prairie and Badlands. Her sophisticated paintings explore the historical and contemporary dynamics of the Midwestern and Western landscape. Raised in Chicago, Judy has lived in rural Iowa since 1988. Her artwork has received numerous national and regional awards and has been exhibited in solo and group shows throughout the Midwest. She has been an artist-in-residence at the Badlands National Park, SD; Custer State Park, SD; and Homestead National Historical Park, NE. Her Homestead Series has toured throughout the region and is in the permanent collection of the Homestead National Historical Park. Additionally, Judy is the cover artist for the acclaimed Pioneer Girl series, which commemorates the life and work of Laura Ingalls Wilder. She is also featured as an artist in the 2024 Coors Western Art Exhibit. Judy's medium of choice is transparent watercolor which she finds both expressive and versatile. Its spontaneous and unique nature allows her to experiment with a variety of surface treatments and mixed media techniques. One of her favorite applications is to outline and connect the shapes and colors within her paintings using charcoal, ink or wax crayon. The resulting tapestry serves as a metaphor of the complex connections within the ecosystem and the human impact our actions have upon our environment. Her work has been acquired by private collectors throughout the Midwest. Recognition Awards: WAOW, Associate MemberSignature Member, Iowa Watercolor Society Public/Corporate Collections:Avera Health System. Artwork in several campuses: Sioux Falls, Sioux Center, Rock Valley, Rock Rapids, Pierre, GettysburgSanford Health System: Sioux Falls, SDCenter for Western Studies, Augustana University, Sioux Falls, SDNorthwestern CollegeState of South Dakota, Art for State BuildingsHomestead National Historical Park, NE, National Park ServiceBadlands National Park, SD, National Park ServiceSouth Dakota Historical Society Press