KI ARTIST IS COMING INTO HER OWN

By Margot Mohsberg
Kent Island Staff Writer

The Emmy-winning star of a popular prime-time TV show recently bought two paintings by a Kent Island artist from an art gallery in West Hollywood, Calif.

The actor, whose name Paragone Gallery owner Francie Kelly would not reveal, bought two untitled, abstract paintings in a series by Judy Hintz Cox of Stevensville.

Since the actor's purchase this fall, Ms. Cox said friends have repeatedly asked her if the artwork will appear on his TV show.

"I don't know, but I think he would need permission from me first. Of course, if he wanted it, he certainly could have it," Ms. Cox said.

An abstract artist, she works full time out of a studio located in the woods behind the home she shares with her husband, Charles.

"I am a pretty disciplined artist. I go in at 8 a.m. and work seven to nine hours," she said.

Ms. Cox, the mother of two grown daughters, used to be a psychiatric nurse, but decided a few years ago to switch gears.

"I decided I needed to focus on what makes me happy, which is art. But to do this, I needed to sell my art," she said.

Her gamble paid off. Today, her work is shown not just in Hollywood, but in galleries as far away as Peru and Brazil and near as the Baltimore Museum of Art.

To get her work noticed, she started an international marketing campaign about three years ago. First, she sent out brochures about her work. Then to everyone who responded, she sent slides. Those who liked the slides then asked to show her work in their galleries.

Although examples of her work are on display in Baltimore, Kent Island area residents can find them even closer.

"You can also always come to my house to look at my work," she said.

Ms. Cox, who grew up in Chicago, began painting 30 years ago while with the Peace Corps in South America. In 1980, she earned a bachelor of arts degree in studio arts from the University of Maryland.

Six years ago, she and her husband decided to move their family to Stevensville because "truthfully, it's cheaper to live over here." "But it's a great place to work as an artist," she said.

Ms. Cox, whose work ranges in price between $600 and $5,000, said she was thrilled when she heard a famous actor had bought two of her paintings. Because the pieces the actor bought were done on paper, he paid somewhere in the low end of her price range, she said.

"I just thought it was so cool. And it was really great of the gallery owner to tell me. She didn't have to do that. They usually don't," she said.

To make an appointment to see Judy Hintz Cox's work at her studio, call 410-643-0148. Readers can also view her work by going to http:/www.judyhintzcox.com

The Capital, December 28, 2000