Judith Opsblum ARTASHAK
Judith has a diverse artistic range, encompassing paintings, sculptures, and ceramics.
She thrives on experimenting with various mediums and surfaces, often incorporating recycled materials to breathe new life into them. Judith's mermaid tail design is created in memory of Annabelle, who was cared for by Julia’s House, and she hopes her work will bring joy and wonder to all who view it on the trail.
Inspired by the poem ‘Footsteps in the Sand’, Judith uses textured materials to mimic the beach’s tactile qualities. Foot and pawprints symbolise cherished moments between pet owners and their furry companions. It also features inscriptions in Braille.
I briefly met one of the children supported by Julia’s House. I was truly inspired by her spirit and resilience, and how Julia’s House gave essential practical and emotional support to her and her family. As such, I was compelled to participate in The Mermaid Trail, to help raise funds and awareness of their incredible work.
My mermaid tail design illustrates how our furry friends walk alongside us through life’s ups and downs. Dogs are incredibly clever. My dog, Leia, helped us through tough times. We rescued her, and she rescued us, just by being there and being herself. People have dogs for many reasons, whether as beloved family members bringing us joy, love, and cherished memories, or as support or therapy dogs in hospitals, care homes, children's homes, or assisting people in our communities, including those who are visually impaired. There is no better place than the beach to bring your dog to have fun and show them how much we care for them too.
My beach themed mermaid’s tail design features different textures, including the sea and sand, with braille placed at a height accessible to everyone, alongside foot and paw prints. The beads used for the braille also symbolise pebbles collected on a beach walk. I was thrilled to find out the location of my tail, on Southbourne beach, as it was where a close elderly relative spent many enjoyable hours walking along that stretch of the beach. Sadly, he passed away in March 2024, before he had a chance to see it. Because the design chosen for the trail was ‘Footprints in the Sand,’ I was able to use his shoes to help create the human footprints on the tail. He was a huge supporter of my art, and I thought it would be a fitting tribute to his memory.
My mermaid tail design illustrates how our furry friends walk alongside us through life’s ups and downs. Dogs are incredibly clever. My dog, Leia, helped us through tough times. We rescued her, and she rescued us, just by being there and being herself. People have dogs for many reasons, whether as beloved family members bringing us joy, love, and cherished memories, or as support or therapy dogs in hospitals, care homes, children's homes, or assisting people in our communities, including those who are visually impaired. There is no better place than the beach to bring your dog to have fun and show them how much we care for them too.
My beach themed mermaid’s tail design features different textures, including the sea and sand, with braille placed at a height accessible to everyone, alongside foot and paw prints. The beads used for the braille also symbolise pebbles collected on a beach walk. I was thrilled to find out the location of my tail, on Southbourne beach, as it was where a close elderly relative spent many enjoyable hours walking along that stretch of the beach. Sadly, he passed away in March 2024, before he had a chance to see it. Because the design chosen for the trail was ‘Footprints in the Sand,’ I was able to use his shoes to help create the human footprints on the tail. He was a huge supporter of my art, and I thought it would be a fitting tribute to his memory.
Judith Opsblum