Judy Gardner, grew up overseas, spending time in Asia, Central America and Europe. Her parents, a writer and an artist, provided an intellectual and artistic environment. Exposure to a range of cultural environments, coupled with exploration of her own mixed European and Native American heritage has created a unique voice that often seems to be coming from the position of an outside observer of human nature.

After moving to the United States, Judy attended Northern Arizona University and earned a BFA in Graphic Design. At the University of Colorado in Denver, she later earned an MH in Fine Art and Theater. Realizing that the Graphic Design world was headed more and more in the direction of computers, Judy taught herself Photoshop and 3D Studio. She formed her own company, Gardner Animation Specialists, Ltd., doing technical animation for court exhibits, architectural visualization, manufacturing and construction visualization and has taught 3D animation and Digital Image Manipulation at the Art Institute of Colorado, Regis University and Metropolitan State College of Denver. In recent years, as her focus has shifted more toward her fine art than her commercial work, Judy founded Alchemical Eye Studio, a print making studio where she teaches traditional and contemporary print techniques and where printmakers can rent studio time on the press. Judy is also an initiated Shaman and is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Transpersonal Psychology.

Through the use of metaphor, layered imagery and a slightly twisted sense of humor, Judy comments on human nature, philosophy and the spiritual state of the universe at large. Nicki Alden, of Ink Lounge, coined the phrase "Whimsical and Ethereal" to describe Judy's work for a show there, and the phrase has stuck. Although she is primarily a printmaker, Judy has also done many large scale installations and public commission pieces. She is available for workshops or private instruction in both traditional and contemporary printing techniques. She also offers a series of more spiritually focused classes helping people to find healing and direction through personal self expression in the arts.