Orleans’ artist, Alana Judah
Overlooking the historic Congress Square in Orleans in Orange County, Alana Judah’s Art Studio and Gallery showcases an arrangement of more than 300 of the artist’s paintings. Many of her artworks tell the stories of the town and surrounding countryside.
As the “Dogwood Capital of Indiana,” Orleans hosts a Dogwood Festival each spring. “I have been painting dogwood trees and blossoms since I was 13 years old,” Judah said.
Her paintings of the dogwood trees in Congress Square, with its iconic fountain and sculpture, are often used to publicize the event.
Judah was born, raised and still lives in Orleans. “The beautiful landscapes that I see every day and the people around me have influenced much of my work,” she said.
As a native, she knows the stories. Her painting “Add and Mabel” depicts two of Orange County’s most widely known and celebrated historical figures, Add and Mabel Gray. In 1922, they opened the Pumpkin Center General Store (aka Punkin Center) on backroads east of Paoli.
As a native, she knows the stories. Her painting “Add and Mabel” depicts two of Orange County’s most widely known and celebrated historical figures, Add and Mabel Gray. In 1922, they opened the Pumpkin Center General Store (aka Punkin Center) on backroads east of Paoli. The store evolved into a museum because of their collection of curiosities and antiques, which drew in tourists from well beyond Orange County. A documentary was produced about the Punkin Center in the early 1980s. After Add died in 1988, Mabel continued to operate the store and museum until 2006.
“I painted their portraits after Mabel died in 2012, using a photograph as a reference,” Judah said. “Their store was loaded with unique signage, which I chose to use as the background for my painting. Many people around here have treasured memories of their store as a hub of the community.”
Another Orange County legend is the subject of Judah’s painting “Davey.” This painting depicts Davey Burns, who died in 2001 at the age of 83. “Davey was well known as a World War II veteran and beloved eccentric who regularly rode his bicycle from his home in Livonia to Paoli, carrying his little dog Cricket — wearing bicycle glasses — in the bike’s basket,” Judah explained. Judah’s original portrait of Davey was purchased by Porky’s BBQ of Paoli, where it is still on display. In the background of the painting, Davey’s bicycle, as well as Cricket in his glasses, can be identified.
The country roads of Orange County are the inspiration for many of Judah’s landscape paintings. Her work “Good Morning, Indiana” represents a scene near her home just outside of Orleans.
“As I drive the roads around my home, there are many times, as I top a hill, I see a beautiful farm. There may be a silo, a windmill, hay bales or farm animals grazing against the backdrop of the rising sun. The scenes are breathtaking. That is the feeling I want to share in this landscape.”
“As I drive the roads around my home, there are many times, as I top a hill, I see a beautiful farm,” Judah said. “There may be a silo, a windmill, hay bales or farm animals grazing against the backdrop of the rising sun. The scenes are breathtaking. That is the feeling I want to share in this landscape.”
In 2022, Judah’s painting “Frida and Dani” was chosen for display at the Indiana Statehouse in Indianapolis in the office of Secretary of State Kathy Mitchell. The work was chosen for this recognition by Hoosier Women Artists. The work depicts Mexican artist Frida Kahlo with Judah’s chihuahua, Dani. Judah explained the impetus behind the painting.
“Kahlo’s life story gives me encouragement. She was resilient in overcoming adversity. She was strong enough to live life on her own terms.”
The bold, vibrant colors Judah used in the painting celebrate Kahlo’s own dramatic colors, both in her paintings and in her clothes.
“I am drawn to Kahlo’s bright colors,” Judah said. “Her self-portraits often included one or more of her many pets, so I decided to include one of my pets in the painting.”
Judah has been creating art since she was a small child.“My parents could not keep enough art supplies in the house because I went through them so fast,” she said.
“My father also was an ardent maker of things. There is a miniature motorcycle he made out of wood and wire on display in my gallery. He made it while he waited to milk the cows.”
“My parents could not keep enough art supplies in the house because I went through them so fast,” she said. “My father also was an ardent maker of things. There is a miniature motorcycle he made out of wood and wire on display in my gallery. He made it while he waited to milk the cows.”
At the age of 12 or 13, she took painting lessons from Marilyn Morgan in Orleans. She later took lessons from the late Jane Grider, who was a well-known artist and art teacher in Paoli.
Although Judah never really stopped making art, she did have a day job as project coordinator in the Engineering Department of Cook Polymer Technology for many years. In 2017, she and her husband,
Matt Judah, figured out a plan for her to pursue art full time and open her studio and gallery. Painting classes, painting parties and making custom portraits are part of her business model.
“I am very passionate about teaching painting to young students. My students love being here, making art, and I want them to learn that it is possible to make a living doing what one loves.”
“I am very passionate about teaching painting to young students,” Judah said. “My students love being here, making art, and I want them to learn that it is possible to make a living doing what one loves.”
One of her students, 7-year-old Ben Kidd, recently sold a painting for $100.
Although Judah is firmly rooted in the past traditions and history of Orleans, she readily embraces the future. Her studio is located in a historic building, once Shirley Bros. Hardware, which was partially destroyed by fire in 1914. Newspaper clippings about that fire are posted on the wall of the gallery as a way of honoring the past.
“I am very happy to be in this historic place that is part of Orleans’ past.”
“I am very happy to be in this historic place that is part of Orleans’ past,” Judah said.
But she also wants to stay on top of current and future technological innovations. She recently completed a series of artworks making use of AI. “I wanted to try it out,” she said. “I decided to create a series of traditional still-lifes with an edgy twist. I typed in the details of what I wanted, received what AI had to offer and continued to revise to my own liking.”
One of the images from this experiment is called “Double-Stem Sunburnt Octoflares.” Judah went on to explain: “If I am a teacher of budding young artists, then it is my duty to know what is available and how it works.” •
For more information on Alana Judah Art, visit alanajudahart.com.
Story by Judy Cato
Photos by Lorraine Hughes
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