Judy lives with her husband, Dave in the beautiful Willamette
Valley of Oregon. They’ve been married 39 years and have
three grown sons and a daughter. In the early seventies they
started their own wholesale rhododendron nursery (www.wagnernursery.com),
and still currently operate and manage this business.
Judy is also a freelance author and artist. She’s a graduate
of the Institute of Children’s Literature, and an active
member of Oregon Christian Writers. She’s completed several
Creative Writing courses through Chemeketa Community College.
She’s been published in Stories for the Heart series,
Tapestry (Walk thru The Bible Ministries) and Chicken Soup For
the Soul.
As one of her mentors notes below, Judy's work stems from a
place of passion, and is continually inspired by the real life
emotions and genuine people who have come to know her well.
See writing
examples for samples.
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“It was my
great pleasure to mentor Judy Wagner in the ‘Writing
for Children and Teenagers’ course of the Institute
of Children’s Literature. Judy’s work in that
course displayed a remarkable ability to convey the power
of relationships and emotion. If you want your message
to be delivered with a human touch, you could do no better
than to put it in Judy’s skilled hands.”
- Fred
Bortz (www.fredbortz.com, www.scienceshelf.com), freelance
reviewer of science books, author of numerous science
books for young readers, and winner of the 2002 American
Institute of Physics Science Writing Award for books intended
for young readers.
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Judy is a self taught acrylic artist, who's also
worked in oil, watercolor and ink. Her paintings have been exhibited
in the Salem, Oregon State Capitol Building, State Public Service
Building, and in several local banks and private collections.
Click here for Judy's Portfolio.
"Words and images
have the power to calm and heal. My objective in painting
and writing is to touch those who are grieving and struggling
with losses that may be overwhelming them. |
I was the seventh in a farm family
of eleven siblings. Our devoted parents taught us deep
spiritual values and strong work ethics at an early age.
I was present at the bedsides of my dying father, father-in-law,
brother and grandmother; and have felt the pain and agony
of several family members suffering aftermaths of severe,
life-threatening accidents. For years I was actively involved
in caring for elderly parents and in-laws, while also
experiencing the joys and challenges of raising our own
four children. I’ve also known the bitter pain and
sorrow of family and friends who’ve lost children
and loved ones.
So from out of all these life experiences I use words
and images to offer healing for others who are hurting.
If my work somehow helps to lighten their burden….then
it is all worthwhile."
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