Trudi is an instinctive, exploratory painter whose work, images, and colors are inspired both externally and internally. She conceives of a piece and then starts with charcoal or graphite markings. She then paints it quickly as she uses the energy and dynamism at hand to work, and then complete a painting. The process involves adding and subtracting areas of color, working and reworking many layers of paint that can take weeks to complete. Acrylics lend themselves to more sculptural applications with the variety of instruments that Trudi uses: brushes of all sizes, plaster trowels, wallpaper applicators, printmaking rollers, forks, and paint knives.

Trudi’s memories of her childhood on a farm in Asheboro, North Carolina bring her images of Piedmont wheat fields and the clay pots, quilts, and paintings she created. She has lived in Charlotte, NC for 22 years raising her family and painting. Trudi studied design at Emory University in Atlanta, where she was encouraged to paint. She has painted under Andy Braitman in Charlotte, NC. Most recently, she studied with Claire Desjardins in 2017 on Vancouver Island outside of Vancouver where she was inspired by different concepts of abstract painting. Trudi also studied under Jodie King in Houston, Texas in July 2018.  Jodie’s energetic abstract painting style influenced her process along with using meditation and journaling. Trudi is influenced everyone she encounters in what she calls creative solidarity, using collaboration as a learning experience, where everyone’s success is celebrated. She paints in Charlotte and participates regularly in workshops all over the world.