Judith Rook, also known as Judy Rook-Stephenson, has lived a life steeped in creativity.
Born in Melbourne in 1942, Judith's passion for art and storytelling began early—she won her first art prize in grade three for a pastel seascape.
Over the decades, she has explored numerous artistic disciplines including painting, graphic design, pottery, embroidery, and textile art.
She studied Fine Art under respected artists such as John Balmain, Ron Crawford, Clifton Pugh, Dr Irene Amos, Syd Ball, David Paulson, and John Millington.
Her education continued with a certificate in Graphic Art from T.C.A.T.C., as well as studies in screen printing, instructional skills, sculpture, and embroidery through Murwillumbah TAFE and Gold Coast TAFE.
Judith exhibited widely in both solo and group exhibitions from the 1970s through to the 2010s.
Her solo exhibitions spanned locations such as Springvale, Berwick, Richmond, the Gold Coast, North Tamborine, Bundaberg, and Toowoomba.
She also took part in major group exhibitions in Brisbane, Surfers Paradise, Southport, and Toowoomba.
Professionally, Judith ran her own gallery and art school in Pakenham during the 1970s, and later tutored at Saint Stephen’s College on the Gold Coast.
She led extracurricular art programs for all grades and taught workshops such as “Be a Picasso for a Day” for both children and adults.
Her dedication has been recognised with awards including First Prize at the 2015 Ballarat Apron Festive for Art Apron and an Outstanding Performance Award in the 2014 Brothers 13th International Quilting Contest.
Since settling in Ballarat in 2014, Judith has become an active member of the Ballarat Fibre and Textile Network, regularly exhibiting her textile work in their shows.
This phase of her creative life also marked a return to writing—bringing her lifelong habit of storytelling to the forefront.
Her debut novella, Ravens Hollow, and her follow-up novel, Beyond the Horizon, blend memory, mystery, and emotional depth into hauntingly beautiful fiction.
Judith continues to create with both pen and thread, telling stories shaped by a lifetime of artistic exploration.
